|
Coleman Union Hall / Hospital
Crowsnest Pass - Coleman
Other Names:
|
Coleman Miner's Hall
Coleman Miner's Union Hall (Hospital)
Coleman Miners Hospital
Coleman Miners Union Hall
Coleman Seniors Centre
Coleman Union Hall
Coleman Union Hall / Miners Hospital
|
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Coleman Union Hall/Hospital is a one and one-half storey, T-shaped wood frame structure located on two city lots in downtown Coleman in the Crowsnest Pass.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Coleman Union Hall/Hospital resides in its historic role as a community institution serving the medical and social needs of the area's citizens.
The Coleman Union Hall/Hospital was financed and built between 1905 and 1906 by the local miner's union. Designed for use as a hospital by a civil engineer employed by the International Coal and Coke Company, the architecture of the Coleman Union Hall/Hospital was far simpler and more utilitarian than other medical institutions of the day. When the hospital opened, it admitted only union members and their families, but later opened its doors to the public. By 1922 the coal companies deducted hospital fees from all employees. Elsewhere in Alberta hospitals were the nearly exclusive domain of the Catholic Church or municipal governments. The case of a union providing medical services to its members and a community is unique and an important demonstration of local initiative in providing social services in an industrial company town. The hospital remained in union control, serving the entire Crowsnest Pass, until 1949, when a new municipal hospital was built and the old hospital was renovated for use as a union hall and meeting place for retired miners.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 1350)
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements of the Coleman Union Hall/Hospital include:
- location;
- form, scale and massing;
- T-shaped plan with rear at right angles to hall area;
- gable roof;
- mass and form of enclosed front veranda;
- second floor three-over-one double hung windows;
- paired window fenestration;
- scalloped eaves on south facing gable, returned eaves on east and west facing gable, and evidence of shingle treatment in upper area of gable ends;
- original remaining interior elements and fittings such as: second floor plan layout, the staircase and railings, original hardwood floors.
Location
| Street Address: |
7805 - 18 Avenue |
| Community: |
Crowsnest Pass - Coleman |
| Boundaries: |
Lots 1 and 2, Block 18, Plan 820L |
| Contributing Resources: |
Building: 1
|
ATS Legal Description:
|
Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
5
|
4
|
8
|
8
|
9 (ptn.)
|
PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
|
Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
820 L
820 L
|
18
18
|
2
1
|
|
Latitude/Longitude:
|
Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
49.634911 |
-114.501573 |
GPS |
NAD 83 |
UTM Reference:
|
Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
|
5501033 |
680401 |
|
Digital Maps |
NAD 83 |
Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
1986/11/30 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1905 to 1906 |
| Period of Significance: |
1906 to 1949 |
| Theme(s): |
Building Social and Community Life : Community Organizations
|
| Historic Function(s): |
Health and Research : Hospital or Other Health Care Institution
|
| Current Function(s): |
Community : Social, Benevolent or Fraternal Club
|
| Architect: |
|
| Builder: |
|
| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
The Coleman Union Hall was originally constructed as a hospital. It was designed by the civil engineer for the International Coal and Coke Company whose experience may explain its utilitarian appearance in comparison to other hospitals built during this era.
It was constructed entirely with coal workers' union funds and remained in their control until a new municipal hospital was opened in 1949. At first, the hospital may have been used as a means of attracting men to join the union because no one but union members and their families were admitted. Later, non-union men and families were allowed admittance on payment of a 20 dollar fee per week. By an agreement reached in 1922, the coal companies deducted the hospital fee directly from the wages paid to the miners. Following the opening of the new hospital, the old hospital was renovated for use as a union hall and meeting place for retired miners.
The Coleman Union Hall during its forty-three year operation as a union-run hospital is a unique example of local initiatives in providing health services. The majority of the hospitals created early in Alberta communities were established by religious or municipal governments.
|
|
|
Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0536 |
| Designation File: |
DES 1350 |
| Related Listing(s): |
|
| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 27665
|
| Website Link: |
|
| Data Source: |
Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch, Old St. Stephen's College, 8820 - 112 Street, Edmonton, AB T6G 2P8 (File: Des. 1350) |
|