Exploring The History of Regina’s Warehouse District: Brownstone Plaza
Figure 1: Brownstone Plaza, 2024.
Born from a time of growth and great industry in the Queen City, 1275 Broad Street has lived many lives. What is now known as Brownstone Plaza began its journey as the John Deere Plow Company in 1913. Built along Broad Street and 7th Avenue, this building and the growth of Regina’s Warehouse District had been in the works long before it’s completion in 1913. With the combined forces of the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), the City of Regina, and corporations in search of warehousing space, talk of growing a neighbourhood that addressed these needs began to brew.
The CPR arrived in Regina in 1882 sparking the Regina Board of Trades to urge development that could facilitate the growth of the CPR, hoping to establish Regina as an economic standout of the prairies. In 1902, the work of the trade committee would come to fruition when the federal government granted Regina more favorable freight rates on farming equipment. With news of this decision, many farming equipment companies soon set their sights on Regina. Beyond this, the settlement of the area was seeing major growth as well. Wheat farming was becoming a staple in the prairie region. The need to accommodate the growing farm industry, and the growing use of the railway to transport farming produce was becoming essential if growth were to continue at an exponential rate. The burgeoning railway system in Regina and settlement converged in the formation of the Warehouse District, an area that could facilitate the needs of farmers and farm implements companies alike. The John Deere Plow Company was one of these early businesses that recognized the potential in Regina’s Warehouse District.
Figure 2: John Deere Plow Company Building, c.1913.
The John Deere Plow Company had previously operated out of a building located on South Railway Street but was in the market to expand operations in Regina. In an act representative of their faith in Regina’s Warehouse District, the company constructed the largest warehouse to occupy the city in 1913. Coming in at 5 stories in height, the building was designed by the company architect O.A. Eckerman and utilizes a post-and-beam construction. The entire building is faced with brown bricks except for the stone detailing that frames the main entranceway. On either side of the main entrance sits stone panels that are engraved with important dates. The north side features the year 1837, signifying when John Deere created what would become the company’s signature steel edge plow. The south side features the year 1913, marking the year of the building’s completion. Above both dates at the centre of the entrance reads the company’s name. For many years the building could also be identified by a large open framework structure that displayed the company name, signature deer logo, and the location of the company headquarters in Moline, Illinois. This structure that sat atop the building no doubt acted as an effective form of advertisement for the company. Large windows line the first and second floors of the building. The main floor and some of the second floor operated primarily as showrooms, allowing potential buyers to view the equipment in a space filled with ample natural light. The other three floors and basement fulfilled the warehousing function of the building as they served primarily as storage space. All in all, the building was estimated to cost $128,000 at the time of completion. A worthy investment seeing as John Deere Plow Company continued to operate out of the building for some 60-plus years.
Many passionate employees have passed through the halls of 1275 Broad Street over the years, each applying their expertise and knowledge to the job. Henry Herbert Kohlman served as the inaugural manager of John Deere Plow Company’s new location. Born in 1868 in Quincy, Illinois Kohlman had held several different occupations throughout his early life. These jobs ranged from freight conductor, farm implement salesman, and at one point working in a mining camp. However, it was through his work as a salesman that he eventually found his way to Regina. He worked his way up at the Fairchild Company and became manager in 1905. In 1908 this company amalgamated with John Deere Plow Company and allowed for Kohlman to continue his managerial role. Due to his previous work in farm implement sales and the fact that he was raised on a farm, it was said Kolhman had a keen eye for anticipating the needs of the agricultural community. Over his 20 years of service at John Deere Plow Company, Kohlman displayed great dedication to his work and made it his personal mission to inquire as to the needs of his customers. James Smart, Charles C. Jonah, and Ernest M. Cunningham were others who followed Kohlman’s foot steps and took on managing the location until John Deere moved from 1275 Broad Street to 455 Park Street in 1974.
Figure 3: Brownstone Plaza, 2024.
It wasn’t until 2000 that the building would see a new life on the horizon. Bryan Miazga, Robert Klein, and Rodney Ziegler from Equinox Group purchased the building with the intention of revitalizing the space. Equinox was born out of a shared desire to undertake property development. Miazga and his partners not only saw the potential in revitalizing the building, but also planned to use the space as a home base for their development group. The team began the restoration of the then 87-year-old building in 2000. Miazga recalled in an interview for the Leader-Post that the exterior was in good condition, but the interior needed a lot of work. This included replacing outdated heating and electrical systems, improving ventilation, refurbishing floors, and replacing windows, amongst a slew of other restoration projects that needed to be done. Aptly named Brownstone Plaza, the revitalization project envisioned repurposing the space as a multi-use facility that housed retail space on the first floor, office space on the second and third, and residences on the remaining fourth and fifth floors. This vision was realized in November of 2001 when Brownstone Plaza hosted their Grand opening, unveiling the fruits of their labour. The space had been reworked while still maintaining the iconic brick exterior that the building was known for. Upon entering the plaza visitors were greeted by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee from Jax Cappuccino Cafe. The plaza also became home to several commercial retailers such as Strata Furniture Gallery, and Basket Cases, a charming shop that specialized in procuring gift baskets for all occasions. Ziegler expressed in an interview with the Leader Post that they had “planned to make this building as safe and comfortable for clients as possible” (Johnson-Hardy 82). This statement by Ziegler echoed the group's dedication to 1275 Broad Street and its future inhabitants. The dedication and care directed towards the revitalization project paid off when Brownstone Plaza successfully garnered Municipal Heritage designation that same year. This allowed for the preservation of such an important fixture of Regina's heritage to live on while still being able to serve the needs of current and future generations.
Interspersed along the main floor of the building can be found a few local artifacts, that upon further examination a keen visitor may connect to the building’s heritage. What is most easily spotted once entering Brownstone Plaza is the installation of Jacqueline Berting’s Glass Wheatfield, a salute to farmers. Consisting of individually hand-cut and lampworked glass wheat stalks, the original project encompassed a 22 by 15 feet space with each stalk measuring around 14 feet tall. The wheat field was originally unveiled in 1992 at the Mackenzie Art Gallery Garden. Berting was born in 1967 in St. Gregor, Saskatchewan, and is no stranger to farm life. She recalls many fond childhood memories of running through the fields as stalks of wheat brushed up against her waist. Visions of a childhood spent in the wide-open fields under the vast prairie sky may have acted as the primary inspiration behind the piece but, what sparked its creation was Berting’s return to the prairies after attending schools in Ontario for glass work. She recalls this a difficult time in her early life, as she had returned from her time in Toronto broke and at a crossroads in her professional life. When she arrived home, she found that the farming community had also found themselves in tough times. Berting was inspired by local farmer’s determination and perseverance. Thus, prompting the creation of Glass Wheatfield, a salute to farmers. She shared in an interview with the Leader-Post that “I decided I wanted to do something for the farmer because of their struggle and because I had been raised on a farm" (Seiberling 11). Unfortunately, funds began to run low while striving to complete the wheatfields, putting the entire project in jeopardy. To her surprise, this hardship was met with a tremendous outpouring of support from her local community and donations began to roll in. This final push of support allowed Berting and an assistant to complete the project and create what has become an iconic tribute to prairie living. After Glass Wheatfield, a salute to farmers was debuted in 1992 it was purchased by the Regina Plains Museum and now a section of the field is on public display within the walls of Brownstone Plaza. A touching tribute that, although was created many years post its time as the John Deere Plow Company the wheatfields act as an homage to the many farmers who walked the showroom floor in search of new equipment, no doubt wrapped up in their own journey of navigating the highs and lows of a burgeoning agriculture industry.
Figure 4: Close up of Jacqueline Berting’s Glass Wheatfield, a salute to farmers, 1992.
Adjacent to Berting’s glass wheatfield are three marquetry pieces hanging comfortably above a quiet seating area. These pieces depict classic emblems of the prairies. One depicts a bison grazing in an open field, the other two feature a windmill and a grain mill. Each one offers a tableau of quaint prairie life. These wooden panels harken back to the early years of 1275 Broad Street as they were created by the craftsmen of The Western Manufacturing Company, Limited located at 1500 Dewdney Avenue and Halifax Street. The Western Manufacturing Company, Limited specialized in manufacturing sash, moldings, and detail millwork. These craftsmen had provided work for such iconic Regina locations as the Frontenac Apartments and even the Saskatchewan Legislative Building. The skill of these craftsmen can also be seen, albeit at a much smaller scale, in the work of these marquetry pieces. Although the exact method used to create them is unknown, one such technique that is known as the double bevel process starts with a design that is then cut through the background layer of wood and the desired inlay veneer at the same time. This allows for the inlay to fit perfectly within the desired space left in the background piece. Each piece is cut by hand at the same angle making them fit together seamlessly. Forming the desired image with varying grain directions and shades of wood that give dimension to the work.
It is no doubt that to create such detailed works as these, craftsmen would need an extremely good eye for detail, artistry, and patience. They most likely would have drawn the images themselves or perhaps used a photo to guide them in creating their desired image. The time required and meditative nature of marquetry no doubt allowed for some time to think about their choice of design. The use of prairie and agriculture-related imagery invites the viewer to ponder why they may have chosen these designs. Was it out of reverence and admiration for the land or simply just a scenic image that would appeal to the taste of locals? Either way, the craftsmanship exhibited in these pieces is something to marvel at. T.A. Wilson, the manager of The Western Manufacturing Company, Limited who began his career at the company in 1909 took special pride in the production of these pieces as he hand-picked the wood for each panel. T.A. Wilson spent many years at The Western Manufacturing Company Limited, and worked tirelessly to not only ensure quality products but a quality work environment for his employee’s. By the time 1927 rolled around, the company had expanded from just 20 employees at the time of Wilson’s hiring to 120. Wilson, a master carpenter himself, no doubt felt an immeasurable sense of pride in the work of his employees as he displayed the finished panels in his dining room for many years. The panels were subsequently passed down through Wilson’s family before they were graciously donated to the REM’s collection.
Figure 5 (top left image): Western Manufacturing Company Limited advertisement, 1929.
Figure 6 (Bottom right image): Bison Marquetry, (date and artist unknown).
Tucked away in the corner behind the main seating area can be found two more artifacts. A Tiger Oak Telephone Booth ca. early 1900s to 1920s stands against the wall. Inside the booth is a Northern Electric phone ca. early 1900s. Upon closer inspection viewers may notice a sticker has been placed over the Northern Electric logo to replace the “Northern” with “Saskatchewan''. Northern Electric was created under Bell Canada in 1885 to manufacture telephones. The local government-run telephone company would put these stickers over the products they purchased in order to rent them out to users. The first phone calls in Saskatchewan were made in 1882 and by 1905 Saskatchewan boasted about 2000 telephones, only to increase in the coming years. By the 1920’s telephones were a major benefit to those living on farms or in rural areas as it offered a connection to the happenings within the heart of the city. A caller could be connected to the local Co-Op Store or maybe even a John Deere dealership, not unlike the one at 1275 Broad Street. The switchboard operator also had the ability to connect callers with merchant’s direct lines. Although the telephone booth housed at Brownstone Plaza is missing its mouthpiece, it’s not hard to imagine stepping inside the weathered wooden frame and being transported to the time of switchboards and operators. Imagine the sound of muffled shuffling and static as the operator transfers your call by simply plugging a cord into its appropriate jack.
Beside the booth sits a horse-drawn Breaking Walking Plow. Although not much is known as to the origin of this plow, it is estimated to date back roughly 125 years or more. Perhaps even dating back to the beginning of early agricultural development in Saskatchewan. It’s possible this plow could have been produced by a local blacksmith or manufacturing company at the time. This type of plow most likely would have been attached to a horse or an ox. The farmer then stands behind the plow, guiding it over the land as its blade turns the soil to prepare it for farming. This task was not easy and required a lot of time and labour to complete the job. This plow acts as a reminder of what established the John Deere and Plow Company in the first place. Born in Rutland, Vermont in 1804 John Deere spent his teen and early adulthood working in the blacksmith industry. He became aware that current plows utilized by farmers would often become clogged with soil, slowing the job immensely. In response, he designed his own plow in 1837. This plow featured a steel cutting edge that was referred to as a sheer. The sheer was able to more effectively break up the soil while in turn the soil kept the sheer sharp and polished. The innovative curved shape of the sheer also prevented soil build-up in the equipment. This revolutionary product markedly changed the industry and by 1848 John Deere had successfully opened a plow factory in Moline, Illinois, which would become the company’s headquarters as noted in the signage that loomed above 1275 Broad Street, Regina. This innovative product began to find its way to farms across the United States and then to Canada, contributing immensely to the agricultural development of the prairie region and beyond.
Figure 5 (left image): Telephone Booth, c. early 1900s to 1920s.
Figure 6 (right image): Northern Electric phone c. early 1900s.
Entering Brownstone Plaza today, amongst the artifacts of the past you can find an assortment of coffee shops, businesses, offices, and residences not dissimilar from the ones that made their debut at the 2001 grand (re)opening. However, throughout the years many new businesses have made 1275 Broad Street their home. In the summer of 2024 local woodworking company Ludoland moved into Brownstone Plaza. When asked what drew him to this space, owner Cedric Delavaud shared: “I'm really interested in traditional tools. I'm using a lot of old tools, and I didn't really want to go into a building that was brand new. I was looking at something, not vintage, but with a history, and the first time I went in that building, seeing all the wooden floor, and I don't know, the character of the building, I just knew when I stepped in, that's where I want to go.” It is clear through this sentiment shared by Delavaud that over the years the character of this iconic building has not been lost and continues to inspire those who walk the halls today. Through the dedication and hard work of people like Kohlman, Miazga, and Delavaud and a whole host of past and present business owners who have made this space their home we are able to reminisce on the past while also looking to the future, insuring the 1275 Broad Street will continue to weave a rich history for generations to come.
References
Biographies Regina. Regina’s Warehouse District: Brick and Mortar - Pride and Passion. Spafford Books, 2012.
Delavaud, Cedric. Personal interview. 28 June 2024.
“John Deere Plow CO. LTD-1275 Broad Street, Regina, Saskatchewan - Circa 1913.” Saskatchewan Archives Board, 19 June 2024.
Johnson, Bruce. “Building is diamond in the rough.” Leader Post, 23 November 2001, p.13.
Johnson-Hardy, Suzanne. “Brownstone Plaza: A new vision for Regina's warehouse district.” Leader Post, 17 November 2001, p. 82.
Petrie, Ron. “A dream-like Saskatchewan field is in need of a home.” Leader Post, 23 November 1992, p.3.
“Plowing in the Past: A Look at Early Farm Machinery.” PBS Iowa, 21 June 2024, https://www.iowapbs.org/iowapathways/mypath/2683/plowing-past-look-early-farm-machinery#:~:text=The%20colter%2C%20a%20sharp%20wheel,was%20called%20a%20sulky%20plow.
Polischuk, Heather. “‘Gophers’ drop in on Cupar.” Leader Post, 27 February 2006, p. 12.
Saskatchewan Network for Art Collecting. Saskatchewan Artists: Jacqueline Berting. https://www.sknac.ca/index.php?page=ArtistDetail&id=209#2. Accessed 9 July 2024.
Seiberling, Irene. “Art of Glass Wheat.” Leader Post, 8 March 1999, p. 11.
“Telephone Office.” Western Development Museum, 20 June 2024, https://wdm.ca/exhibits_articles/telephone-office/.
The Regina Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee, Bylaw No. 2001-17, The John Deere Plow Company, Limited Building Heritage Designation Bylaw (2001).
Warehouse District Self-Guided Walking Tours – Heritage Regina. https://heritageregina.ca/self-guided-walking-tours/. Accessed 9 July 2024.
Western Manufacturing Limited.“"Superior Brand" Millwork.” Leader Post, October 30, 1929.
YQR Vintage Market. Personal interview. 20 June 2024.