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Red Deer Armoury / Fire Hall #1
Red Deer
Other Names:
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Firehall No. 1
Piper Creek Optimist Club Children's Department
Red Deer Armoury
Red Deer Armoury - Firehall #1
Red Deer Public Library
The Armoury
The Children’s Library
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
Red Deer Armoury / Fire Hall No. 1 is a two and one-half storey rectangular solid brick building in the Edwardian Free Style that was constructed as an armoury in 1913. It is located on a large urban lot at the southeast corner of Red Deer's civic square, opposite the Parsons Residence.
Heritage Value
Historical Value: The heritage value of the Red Deer Armoury lies in its association with military preparedness in Central Alberta. Constructed as the regimental headquarters for the 35th Central Alberta Horse, it also has political significance as the outcome of a 1910 election promise by Edward Michener, Red Deer MLA and leader of the provincial Conservative Party. The Red Deer Armoury provides strong evidence of its defense function through two world wars as a recruiting centre, training facility, barracks, armoury, and military offices. It has sentimental associations for the community through its role as an inter- and post-war social and cultural centre. The building also has historical significance in community protection as the location of Fire Hall No.1 for the City of Red Deer Emergency Services Department from 1961-1992.
Architectural Value: Architecturally, the building is among the most striking examples of Edwardian Free Style in Red Deer and a good regional example of classic armoury design, built with local materials of brick and stone.
Red Deer and District Archives, Archivist, City of Red Deer, PO Box 5008, 4914 - 48 Avenue, Red Deer, AB T4N 3T4 (Files: Red Deer Fire Department, Clipping File; Red Deer Buildings, Historical – Original Fire Hall, Clipping File; Red Deer Historical Walking Tour, 1983; Red Deer Historical Walking Tours, 1990; Historic Walking Tour(s) plaques; Photo Collections)
Character-Defining Elements
- Form and massing, including the large gabled roof, the six regularly spaced structural bays and the silhouette of the front facade exemplified by features such as: the twin square towers; rib-like buttresses; and gabled parapet above entrance on east facade
- Exterior features/materials such as brick masonry; sandstone detailing
- Original fenestration pattern and the structural openings created in the conversion from an armoury to a fire hall
- Remaining interior features that reflect the adaptive reuse of the building from defense to fire protection, such as the metal roof trusses and fire pole
Location
| Street Address: |
4905 - 49 Street |
| Community: |
Red Deer |
| Boundaries: |
Lot 1, Plan 1339RS |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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27
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38
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16
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12 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
1339 RS
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1
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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52.268265 |
-113.809557 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Local Governments (AB) |
| Designation Status: |
Municipal Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1983/10/11 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1913 To 1913 |
| Period of Significance: |
1913 To 1961 |
| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Community Organizations
Governing Canada : Military and Defence
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| Historic Function(s): |
Defence : Armoury or Drill Hall
Defence : Military Support
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| Current Function(s): |
Leisure : Library
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| Architect: |
C.A. Julian-Sharman
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| Builder: |
Nesbitt and Miller
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Red Deer Armoury/Firehall #1 is historically significant because of its association with the development of Red Deer as a major urban center during the era of settlement expansion between 1896 and 1915. Only major urban centers were chosen for military installations like this. It is also significant because of its association with Red Deer and Central Alberta's participation in World War One, since it was the regimental headquarters for the 35th Central Alberta Horse and was used in 1918 by the Great War Veterans Association.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4664-0038 |
| Designation File: |
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| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 26463
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| Website Link: |
http://www.rdpl.org/litleg.html |
| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen’s College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (Provincial Heritage Inventory Data Base) (File: Des. 1849) |
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