FERNIE ’ S HERITAGE BUILDINGS – A Downtown Walking Tour CONT ’ D
2 THE HOME BANK 491 2nd Avenue | Now in use as The Fernie Museum and Visitor Information Centre
been altered , the brick and sandstone exterior retains many of its striking original features . Step inside for a taste of today ; the Brickhouse serves up a large selection of Fernie Brewing Company Beers , BC wines and a tasty pub menu . The original bank vault is still in use as the chef ’ s pantry .
4 THE COURT HOUSE 401 4th Ave | Now in use as Fernie ’ s Government of BC Offices
This highly decorative building was constructed in 1910 to house a branch of the Home Bank on the main floor and the Herchmer-Mitchel Law Office on the second floor . Except for the paint , the exterior is in its original configuration making this a significant heritage building . The failure of the Home Bank in 1923 cost Fernie depositors $ 800,000 and led to a rewriting of Canada ’ s banking laws . These new rules prevented the widespread bank failures in the 1930s . See p8 for more .
3 THE IMPERIAL BANK 1909 401 2nd Ave | Now in use as The Brickhouse Bar & Grill
Lauded as one of BC ’ s best buildings , the Court House is a spectacular chateau-style building rarely found in the area . Enjoy the grounds and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains . See p26 for more .
5 HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH 521 4th Avenue
On August 1 , 1908 , on the corner of 2nd Ave and 4th St , the members of the Fernie Fire Department made their last stand in the fight of the catastrophic fire that would consume Fernie in just 90 minutes . The Imperial Bank of Canada built a new bank here in 1909 , using a standard small city branch design . The company merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1961 and closed the branch in 1963 . Although some features have
The history of the church dates back to the beginning of Fernie when Father J . Welsh was sent from Cranbrook to hold masses for approximately 200 miners in 1898 . Some of these miners donated one day ’ s wages every month towards the construction of a place of worship and volunteer parishioners completed this church in 1912 . It was and still is home to Fernie ’ s largest congregation .
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