Historical importance of Anavets building investigated

The stately downtown area home built by Moose Jaw's first banker may be saved from the wrecker's ball. The Arthur Hitchcock home, currently occupied by the Anavets organization, has been sold to Temple Gardens Mineral Spa for a parking lot. Heritage advocate Doug Smith learned the home of the city's first banker was scheduled for demolition this spring and approached the spa. "They're willing to look at us moving it," he said. Smith igot people at the Sukanen Ship Pioneer Village and Museum to look at the possibility of moving the structure to the museum south of Moose Jaw. "We're looking at the costs right now," said Smith. "We will need some sponsors, for sure." The 105-year-old mansion, at 112 First Ave, N.E., has remained much the way it was built, with the exception of the main floor being renovated in 1938 for the Anavets, he said. "Most of it is just gorgeous. The structure seems to be in good shape." He isn't sure if the house is brick or brick siding placed over wood. The slate roof tiles were imported from Scotland for the home built three years before Saskatchewan became a province. The dormer attic housed a cedar room for summer storage of clothes and the servants' quarters. "The servants' quarters are fairly decent. The calling box is still there," Smith said. Lights came on from one of 12 stations in the house, indicating where servants were needed. The second floor has a central vacuum cleaner and a luxurious bathroom with taps for soft and hard water as well as hot and cold. The bay window office/study is the only room on the main floor still unchanged. Walnut panelling decor and honeycomb designs on the ceiling decorate the banker's office. "There is supposed to be a slate floor in the office under the wood." At one time, this was the only bank between Regina and Calgary. Hitchcock co-founded the Prairie Bank of Hitchcock and McCulloch in 1891 at Moose Jaw with a silent partner from Calgary, Henry Hamilton McCulloch. For eight years, it was the only bank in Moose Jaw. Eventually, the Royal Bank of Canada took over the bank. In 1892, Hitchcock bought the year-old fledgling electric light company, selling it in a year. The company served the city until the 1950s when it was sold to SaskPower. Hitchcock was a Moose Jaw alderman for many years, was involved in the Children's Aid Society and ran unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate in a 1901 territorial by-election. He lost by three votes, 498-495. He died at home in 1932, at the age of 70. Ron Walter can be reached at 691-1264.