Key Number:	HS 9969
Site Name:	Kuo Ming Tang Building
Other Names:	Chinese National League Building
Site Type:	0399 - Educational: Other

Location

ATS Legal Description:

			Twp	Rge	Mer
			9	21	4

Address:	309 - 2 Avenue S
Number:	9
Street:	3 S
Avenue:	2 S
Other:
Town:	Lethbridge
Near Town:

Media

Type	Number	Date	View	Source

Architectural

Style:
Plan Shape:	Rectangular Short Facade
Storeys:	Storeys: 2
Foundation:	Basement/Foundation Wall Material: Concrete
Superstructure:	Nailed Frame
Superstructure Cover:	Brick - Bond: Stretcher Brick - Bond: Common
Roof Structure:	Shed
Roof Cover:
Exterior Codes:	Massing of Units: Single Detached Massing of Units: Double Semi-Detached, Non-Related Wings: Rear Number of Bays - Facade: First or Ground Floor, 3 Bays Wall Design and Detail: Decorated Parapet Wall Design and Detail: Decorative Brick Plain Eaves Roof Trim - Verges: Not Applicable Dormer Type: None Chimney Location - Side to Side: Side Left Chimney Location - Side to Side: Side Right Chimney Location - Front to Rear: Centre Chimney Location - Front to Rear: Rear Chimney Stack Material: Brick Chimney Stack Massing: Single Roof Trim - Special Features: None Window - Structural Opening Shape: Segmental Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Voussoirs Window - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: None Window - Sill Type: Plain Slip Sill Window - Sill Type: Plain Lug Sill Window - Sill Material: Brick Window - Sill Material: Plaster or Stucco Window - Number of Sashes: Two, Double Hung Window - Opening Mechanism: Single or Double Hung Window - Special Types: None Main Entrance - Location: Centre (Facade) Main Entrance - Structural Opening Shape: Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Head: Plain Flat Main Entrance - Trim Outside Structural Opening - Sides: Plain 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 - Head: Flat Transom, Multiple Lights Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Plain Main Entrance - Trim Within Structural Opening - Sides: Side Lights Main Entrance - Number of Leaves: 2 Main Entrance - Number of Panels Per Leaf: 1 Main Entrance - Number of Panels Per Leaf: 3 Main Entrance - Leaves - Special Feature: Shaped Panel Main Entrance - Leaves - Special Feature: Glass Main Stairs - Location and Design: First or Ground Floor, Without Railing Main Stairs - Direction: Straight Main Porch - Type: Recess Main Porch - Special Features: None
Exterior:	Painted stucco, Boomtown facade, indented main entry (raised) S elevation. Semi-Elliptical window openings with radiating voussoirs, WE elevations. Stepped roofline. Superstructure cover: (side walls) 3 rows of common decorative header. Decorative wood ledge above recessed double door entry; single transom above doors; front facade may have been refaced - decorated parapet.
Interior:	Large main floor hall with various decorations, painted and pressed tin ceiling, hardwood floor.
Environment:	2 Blocks west of downtown area. CBD - Chinatown - transitional - one of two saved structures.
Condition:	Good (1980) Fair (2004)
Alterations:	Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: Wall Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: Window Apparent Alterations and/or Additions: Door Site: Original At least two additions (rear) 1st brick, 2nd block.

Historical

Construction:	Construction Date:
Construction Completed Construction Started	1909/01/01
Usage:	Usage Date:
Hall/School Chinese National League	1918/01/01
Owner:	Owner Date:
N/A

Architect:	N/A
Builder:	N/A
Craftsman:	N/A
History:	Original owner - Jang Fang, Company. Second floor small residences. Original building 25' /70'. Wall painted signs identify building in both English and Chinese characters. By 1918 bldg. was used by Chinese National League. The Kuo Min Tang Building was built sometime between 1909 and 1910 in what was known as the “Restricted Area” of Lethbridge. The building appears to have been originally used as a Chinese restaurant, but by 1913 its documented use is as a Lodge Hall. In June 1915 it became the official headquarters of the Chinese Revolutionary Party (a.k.a. the Chinese National League/Lodge), an important Chinese fraternal and political association that was formed in Canada in 1911. Many of the League members provided money for a Chinese Public School to be opened in the extension at the rear of the building. The school appears to have been operational in the 1960s and early 1970s. It provided Chinese classes after regular school hours. Today evening classes are held there in the Chinese language. This is one of the few remaining buildings in what was Lethbridge's Chinatown.

Internal

Designation Status:	Designation Date:
Provincial Historic Resource	1995/08/16

Register:	N/A

Links

Internet:
Alberta Register of Historic Places: