Union Bank-White Block was called Moose Jaws most substantial business block

Well over a century ago, before Moose Jaw was granted city status, the Union Bank-White Block was erected on the southeast corner of Main and River Streets - and it's still there today.
At the time, the structure was the tallest building in Moose Jaw - in fact, according to the Moose Jaw News, it was one of the largest and best business blocks in the Northwest Territories.
With its original red brick exterior and decorative brick detailing on cornices and window surrounds, it was an imposing sight.
The commercial block was the joint venture of the Union Bank, Moose Jaw's second oldest bank (established 1897) and Wellington White, a local brick manufacturer. It was a showcase for local brick products and White's brick-making skills.
The architecture was typical of the banks of that period before the Beaux Arts style became trendy for public buildings.
The building was square, flat-roofed and divided down the centre by a solid brick wall.
The north half of the block was occupied by the Union Bank while the south half, Wellington White's bailiwick, was designed for shops on the ground floor and meeting rooms on the upper two floors.
The Moose Jaw press called it "a most substantial business block."
"The foundation is laid on a cement footing three feet wide and one foot thick. The foundation walls are of Moose Jaw fieldstone and are two feet thick. The balance of the block is Moose Jaw red brick . . . The walls of the first storey are two feet thick, the second storey 13 inches and the third storey nine inches.
"The interior finishings on the first floor are of cedar in natural colours and the balance of the building is finished in white pine."
The basement of the bank section contained a large vault, steam heating plant and three well-lighted and ventilated flats.
Lawyer W.B. Willoughby, later the Hon. Senator Willoughby and builder of the Royal George Hotel (now the Park Hotel) occupied the front suite while John R. Green, real estate agent, and J.D. Reid, general agent for Manufacturers' Life, occupied the other two suites.
The bank's main entrance, featuring doors of solid oak and bevelled glass panels, was at the northwest corner.
A short flight of steps led through swinging doors into the bank proper with its quarter oak furnishings.
"The teller's cage is of bronze network," reported the Moose Jaw News, "and it would be a difficult matter for any person to make the best of him or make away with his cash. Opposite the manager's office there is a large vault well built with a burglar-proof steel chest inside.
"On the second floor above the bank portion of the building, there are six large rooms," recorded the newspaper. "One suite is reserved for the manager of the bank and will be elegantly furnished. There is an arch between the two rooms and in one there is a fireplace and handsome mantle piece.
"The entrance to the flat is from River Street at the rear of the building. The other two suites are let to C.W. Milestone, manager of the Alberta Railway and Coal Company, and G.N. Lang, consulting engineer for the CPR's Moose Jaw Division. The third floor duplicates the second."
The ground floor of Wellington White's south half of the building was occupied by Clarke Brothers, known as the "wide-awake business house, handling men's furnishings, boots and shoes, jewelry and dry goods."
The second floor was divided into five large rooms and a large hall. The front suite of three rooms was leased to the newly-organized Moose Jaw Business Men's Club.
The third floor was set apart as an assembly hall (25 by 50 feet) with three large anti-rooms.
"The building is wired throughout for electric lights and has bathrooms in anticipation of a waterworks system . . . The cost of the block was $25,000 and every corner reveals good value," commented the Moose Jaw News.
With its original brick exterior walls now covered by light-coloured plaster, the Union Bank-White Block is now well into its second century and still going strong.