The Jordan block encompasses two separate but adjoining buildings along the north side of Columbia Avenue. The first is on the corner of Queen Street and Columbia Avenue, with a storefront entrance off of Queen Street, at the rear, and an entrance off Columbia. The second building is next door, with two oriel windows on the second floor. Below is a classical nineteenth century style store front with a double recessed entrance in the centre and a separate entrance at the east end affording access to apartments above.
In 1898, the Jordan Block was owned by a Mr. Smith and a Mr. Scott.
It was initially exempt from taxes as it was then used as the Fire/Hose Hall for Rossland until 1900 when the brick Fire Hall was completed a block to the north and across Queen Street. In 1911, the buildings were purchased by Mr. J. M. Jordan in which he opened a furniture store, then said to be "
the largest furniture store in the interior of BC". In 1933, Mr. McTeer and Dr. Daly bought the buildings, and McTeer opened a hardware store on the main floor of both but kept the apartments above as living spaces. In the mid-nineteen fifties the hardware store closed, after which the building saw a variety of different uses, such as a pool hall, Sears mail order outlet, photography studio, Mountain Music, Treva’s Fashions, Japanese restaurant, a bedding and décor shop.
Above the oriel windows one will note the lettering "
T. H. Allan Co. 1894". As yet we are unaware of this building's connection to a T. H. Allan Company. While there was once an Allan Hotel across Columbia and a block to the west, it was established by a Mrs. Margaret E. Allan in 1895, being destroyed by fire in 1978. The easterly section of the Jordan Block, with its oriel windows, bears a resemblance to the westerly section of the Allan Hotel, but that is the only connection to the name "
Allan" we have managed to unearth.
Today the building hosts a number of businesses, among them the
Alpine Grind Coffee House,
Nature's Den Health Foods and
Century 21 Realty.
Jordan Block
DESCRIPTION OF HISTORIC PLACE
The Jordan Block is located on the northeast corner of Columbia Avenue and Queen Street in downtown Rossland, B.C. The historic place includes two adjacent buildings that have different heights, facade treatments and commercial usages. Both buildings have gently sloping shed roofs. The addresses are 2104 and 2110 Columbia Avenue.
HERITAGE VALUE
The Jordan Block has historic value for its continuous use as a business premises and for its connection to the early days of development in Rossland's history.
The Jordan Block is made up of two buildings which are two of the last surviving commercial buildings from the early days of Rossland development. Built in 1896 both buildings have been in continuous use as businesses since their construction.
The Jordan Block is further valued for its location in downtown Rossland near other heritage buildings. It is the western anchor of one of three blocks in downtown Rossland with a dense concentration of heritage buildings that escaped the disastrous fires of 1927 and 1929.
Extensive renovation and restoration efforts have been made over many years by owners to keep and enhance the heritage ambience presented by the facades of the buildings in the Jordan Block.
CHARACTER-DEFINING ELEMENTS
The character-defining elements of Jordan Block include its:
- original location and building footprint
- heritage plaque beside the entrance identifies this Block as an important heritage place in Rossland
From Historic Places Canada