Vignettes
/Greater Winnipeg
/ Garry-Osborne
Bank of Montreal
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Since 1913, the Bank of Montreal, located at the corner
of Portage and Main has been a dominant structure at one
of Canada’s most recognized crossroads. The bank
has enjoyed a long and prosperous history in Winnipeg since
1877 when they opened their first branch in rented premises
at Broadway and Main.
Capitalizing on the 1881 land boom that accompanied the
Canadian Pacific Railway’s arrival, the bank opened
a new brick building near the southwest corner of Main
and Portage. This location remained attractive until the
urge to join the movement towards grandiose and monumental
banking facilities moved the bank to an unusual southeast
Portage & Main location. Local newspapers heralded
the bank’s construction and its success was guaranteed
before the doors opened in 1913.
