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A.Y. Young Drug Store
Fort Macleod
Other Names:
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A. Young & Co.
Fort Discount Centre
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Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The A.Y. Young Drug Store is a two-storey commercial brick building which is situated on a single lot on the main street in Fort Macleod.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the A.Y. Young Drug Store lies in its contribution to the historical and architectural character of Fort Macleod's commercial district.
In 1874, the North West Mounted Police (N.W.M.P.) arrived in western Canada and set up the first police post in present-day Alberta at Fort Macleod. By the end of the nineteenth century, Fort Macleod's original function as a centre for policing the whisky trade had been superseded by its rise as a distribution and service centre for the large ranching hinterland in the region. This transformation in function was embodied in the growth of Fort Macleod's commercial district. The A.Y. Young Drug Store was built in 1903 and reflects this change. Young opened his drugstore on the ground floor and leased the second floor to two physicians. Over the years, several businesses have operated in it, including dry goods, bakery, men's wear and ladies' wear.
With elements of classical revival architecture on its front facade, including cornices, entablature with consoles, brackets, circular window and voussoirs in the parapet, it is typical of the more sophisticated buildings erected during the early part of the twentieth century in Alberta's secondary centres. It once possessed a symmetrical front facade typical of this kind of commercial building, although changes to the building have altered its original visual identity. Nonetheless, the A.Y. Young Drug Store is a contributor to the distinctive architectural character of the Fort Macleod Provincial Historic Area.
Source: Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, Historic Resources Management Branch (File: Des. 2027)
Character-Defining Elements
Character-defining elements of the A.Y. Young Drug Store include the following elements:
- metal cornice and sign band above the main entrance;
-original double-hung windows on the south elevation and masonry wall;
- double hung windows and voussoirs in the parapet;
- fine brickwork (stretcher bond pattern) and detailing;
- main floor storefront;
- interior detailing in the front retail area, including original tongue-in-groove maple flooring, exposed masonry walls, and decorative pressed-tin ceiling, with metal edge cornice moulding.
Location
| Street Address: |
210 - 24 Street |
| Community: |
Fort Macleod |
| Boundaries: |
Portion of Lot 26, Block 432, Plan 92B |
| Contributing Resources: |
Buildings: 1
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ATS Legal Description:
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Mer |
Rge |
Twp |
Sec |
LSD |
4
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26
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9
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12
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13 (ptn.)
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PBL Legal Description (Cadastral Reference):
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Plan |
Block |
Lot |
Parcel |
92 B
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432
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26
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Latitude/Longitude:
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Latitude |
Longitude |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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49.725282 |
-113.408268 |
Secondary Source |
NAD83 |
UTM Reference:
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Northing |
Easting |
Zone |
CDT |
Datum Type |
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5510899 |
326448 |
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GPS |
NAD 83 |
Recognition
| Recognition Authority: |
Province of Alberta |
| Designation Status: |
Provincial Historic Resource |
| Date of Designation: |
2001/10/19 |
Historical Information
| Built: |
1903 to 1903 |
| Period of Significance: |
1903 to 2005 |
| Theme(s): |
Developing Economies : Trade and Commerce
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| Historic Function(s): |
Commerce / Commercial Services : Shop or Wholesale Establishment
Residence : Multiple Dwelling
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| Current Function(s): |
Industry : Crafts Production Facility
Residence : Single Dwelling
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| Architect: |
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| Builder: |
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| Context: |
HERITAGE SIGNIFICANCE
In 1884, the tiny community, which had grown up around the fort at Fort Macleod, was moved one mile west to avoid flooding and officially named Fort Macleod. With the growth of the cattle industry in the region, the community soon grew to some size. In 1892, the Calgary & Edmonton Railway was extended there, and the community was incorporated as a Town.
In 1900, the first brick business block was erected in Fort Macleod, the Grier Block on 2nd Avenue, which housed Barnes Medical Hall & Drugs. Three years later, another two- storey medical facility was erected on Main Street, this being the Commercial Block, owned by druggist, Dr. Arthur Y. Young. Young opened his drug store on the ground floor, while the second floor was leased to two physicians named Dr. Bruce and Dr. Forbes. To attract interest, Young introduced a circulating library in his drug store.
In the years that followed, the Commercial Block remained a fixture in the commercial district of Fort Macleod. Over the years, several businesses have operated in it, including a dry goods store and a bakery. Today the structure is vacant.
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Additional Information
| Object Number: |
4665-0994 |
| Designation File: |
DES 2027 |
| Related Listing(s): |
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| Heritage Survey File: |
HS 9626
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| Website Link: |
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| 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. 2027) |
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