Key Number:	HS 10531
Site Name:	Denike Block
Other Names:
Site Type:	0103 - Residential: Double Dwelling 0409 - Mercantile/Commercial: Specialty Store or Shop

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			40	26	4

Address:	5012-12A - 50 Avenue
Number:	12-12A
Street:	50
Avenue:	50
Other:
Town:	Lacombe
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:	Rectangular Long Facade
Storeys:	Storeys: 2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Brick
Superstructure Cover:
Roof Structure:	Flat
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Massing of Units: Row, Non-Related, End Wings: None Plain Eaves Roof Trim - Verges: Not Applicable Dormer Type: None Chimney Location - Side to Side: Offset Left Chimney Location - Front to Rear: Rear Chimney Stack Material: Brick Chimney Stack Massing: Single Roof Trim - Special Features: None Window - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Lintel Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Material: Wood Window - Sill Type: Plain Lug Sill Window - Sill Material: Concrete Window - Number of Sashes: Four or More, Double Hung Window - Opening Mechanism: Single or Double Hung Window - Special Types: None Main Entrance - Location: Off-Centre (Facade) Main Entrance - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Lintel Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Moulded Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening Material: Wood Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Head: Plain Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Head: Flat Transom, Single Light Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 1 Main Entrance - Number of Panels Per Leaf: 2 Main Entrance - Leaves - Special Feature: Glass Main Stairs - Location and Design: None Main Stairs - Direction: None Main Porch - Type: None Main Porch - Special Features: None Main Porch - Material: None Main Porch - Height: None
Exterior:	Stepped parapet, entablature with cornice, modillions, plain frieze with name, concave, brackets, recessed panels, lugsills, plain lintels, moulded window frames, awnings, shutters for over windows, new front bay windows, entrance to upper floor beside main entrance
Interior:	N/A
Environment:	Lot Sizes: 1' by 85' (Lot B) and 20' by 85' (Lot A) part of downtown commercial core. One of many pre-1925 buildings on the main avenue.
Condition:	Structure - Good Repair - Good
Alterations:	Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: Roof Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: Window Site: Original

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Construction Started	1912/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Mercantile/Commercial: General Retail Store Mercantile/Commercial: General Retail Store	1912/01/01 1980/03/28
Owner:	Owner Date:
C.R. Denike Bill Bodnaruk	1912/01/01 1972/07/13

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Original owner/tenant - C.R. Denike - one of Lacombe's first jewellers. 1906 - Denike established business in Lacombe. In January 1912 bought land from Frank McLear. April 1913 - started building. October 30, 1913, grand opening. C.R. Denike's first jewellery store in Lacombe was a single storey cement block building. Constructed in 1907, it was located about two blocks west of the present structure, on the same side of 50th Avenue. In April of 1908 the Lacombe Advertiser reported that "C.R. Denike's repairing business has been growing so rapidly that he has found in necessary to secure the services of an expert watchmaker." As Lacombe grew, so did the business, and within five years of opening, room was needed to expand. The Denike Block was built in 1913 to meet this need, housing the jewellery store on the ground floor and law offices and living space above. The addition of brick facing below the large plate glass display windows constitutes the only exterior change to the front of the Denike Block; until 1987 the interior furnishings were also intact. The form taken by commercial buildings of the early part of this century in Alberta was strongly influenced by the standard long and narrow shape of commercial lots. In order to take full advantage of street frontage, the shops were most often built up to the lot lines at the sides. Consequently, the architectural interest of the buildings became concentrated in the facade, and the side walls were left completely blank to allow for neighbouring properties to be developed to their fullest extent. In the event that a side wall was not obscured by flanking buildings, it often found use as an ideal spot for advertising, either painted directly on the wall, or applied as posters or billboards. The rear of such buildings were usually completely functional, with no consideration given to design principles. Windows, doors, loading bays, fire escapes, and later additions could occur in a disorganized clutter bearing no relationship to the formally designed street front.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
(not assigned)

Register:

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places: