Granum Town Office is housed in a well preserved old two story red brick building at the corner of Dufferin Street and Railway Avenue, built around 1910 as a branch of the
Bank of Hamilton, which was established in 1872 in the city of Hamilton, Ontario. The Bank of Hamilton merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce on January 2, 1924. The Bank of Commerce later became the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, (or CIBC) after its merger with the Imperial Bank of Canada. This means that the building became a Canadian Bank of Commerce in 1924. After that, we have no information as to when the bank closed its doors or when it became the Granum Town office.
When the Bank of Hamilton chose to build in Granum, the Granum Press followed the progress of, not the actual construction of the building, but the dealings preceding construction. Small entries in the paper continued well into July of 1910, but, unfortunately, the newspaper closed its doors on August 5, 1910, printing its final issue on that date. Commencement of actual construction of the bank was due to begin shortly. The Granum News picked up the torch in February of 1911, but no more articles on the bank's progress could be found in that medium.
There were three banks, the Union, the Bank of Hamilton and the Northern Crown, a short-lived branch which closed out in 1910.
Bank of Hamilton (later changed to the Bank of Commerce, now the present Town Office) was located on the north end. The whole block from Snell's store north to the Bank of Hamilton was burnt out - The fire took place in July 1919...
...About 1919 a fire, which started in the Alberta Meat Market operated by Mr. Jeffway, burned the block, except for the brick buildings at the north and south ends.
From the book, Leavings by trail, Granum by rail
The town of Stavely, 20 or so miles north on Highway 2, has an essentially
identical town office. It seems that the Bank of Hamilton had a cookie cutter bank design that was used in more than one small town around 1910.
Bank Will Build
February 18, 1910
The Bank of Hamilton has purchased that desirable corner lot at Railway ave and Dufferin street from the owner, James McBride. We understand that the price paid was $1,500, which would indicate that business property in Granum is decidedly on the upward trend, The Bank will shortly commence the erection of a building on the property, which will add greatly to the appearance of the town and leave but one vacant lot in the line of business houses on the front street
March 4, 1910
The money has been paid by the Bank of Hamilton to Jas. McBride for the south-west corner at Dufferin street and Railway ave., where the bank will shortly cornmence work on the erection of their new building.
July 1, 1910
The Bank of Hamilton has let the contract for their new building on the Southwest corner of Railway avenue and Dufferin street to Wm. Koepnick.
The structure will be be 25X50 feet and work will be commenced on Monday morning.
July 29, 1910
The Bank of Hamilton will commence the construction of their new building as soon as the material arrives.
From the Granum Press