List of historic places in Greater Sudbury facts for kids
Greater Sudbury is a city in Ontario, Canada, with a rich history. Many of its buildings tell stories of the past, showing how the city grew and changed over time. These special places are called historic properties. They are important because they help us remember the people and events that shaped Sudbury.
The Sudbury Municipal Heritage Committee (SMHC) has identified many of these important sites. Let's explore some of them!
Contents
Historic Buildings of Sudbury
Churches and Places of Worship
Sudbury has several old churches that are important parts of its history.
Ste. Anne's Church
Located at 14 Beech Street, Ste. Anne's Church has a long history. It started as a mission by Jesuits in 1883. The first church was finished in 1889, but it burned down in 1894. A smaller church was quickly rebuilt that same year, and it was made even bigger in 1914. Right next door, the Ste. Anne's Presbytery, built in 1883, is Sudbury's oldest brick building!
Christ the King Church
Also on Beech Street, Christ the King Church opened in 1928 as St. Joseph's. Its name changed in 1935. Like Ste. Anne's, it also suffered a fire in 1947 but was rebuilt and reopened in 1948.
Knox Presbyterian Church
Found at 75 Larch Street, this church was completed in 1927 and remains a significant historic building.
Church of the Epiphany
At 85 Larch Street, the Church of the Epiphany is another designated historic site, recognized for its importance to the city's heritage.
Downtown Landmarks and Businesses
Many historic buildings in Sudbury's downtown area once housed important businesses and services.
Old City Hall
The Old City Hall at 83 Cedar Street was the main city hall for many years until the 1970s. It played a central role in Sudbury's government.
Rothschild Block
The Rothschild Block at 7 Cedar Street was built in 1915. It belonged to Daniel Rothschild, one of Sudbury's first successful Jewish settlers. His son, Samuel Rothschild, even became a famous hockey player! Today, this building is still busy, with offices, a hair salon, restaurants, and even a dance studio.
Stafford Block
The Stafford Block at 93 Durham Street was built in 1916. It started as a large department store. Now, it holds offices, a nightclub, and a restaurant.
Coulson Hotel
The Coulson Hotel at 86 Durham Street, built in 1938, is a great example of Art Deco style architecture. This style was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s, known for its sleek, geometric designs.
Wolfe's Bookstore
Located at 133 Durham Street, Wolfe's Bookstore is a unique triangular building, sometimes called a "flatiron" building because of its shape. It's still home to various businesses today.
Mackey Building
The Mackey Building at 56 Elm Street was built in the 1920s by J.J. Mackey, who was the president of the Sudbury Brewing and Malting Company. It was designed for shops and offices. Today, it still has businesses and is being updated to include offices and apartments.
Silvermans Building
At 67 Elm Street, the Silvermans Building opened in 1911. It started as a small store selling work clothes to miners in 1892, founded by Aaron Silverman, another early Jewish settler. By 1911, it had grown into a three-story department store! Now, it houses an office supply store, and its upper floors are also being turned into offices and apartments.
Muirhead Building
The Muirhead Building, also known as the Baikie Block, at 73 Elm Street, has a long history with books and office supplies. It started as Sudbury's first bookstore in 1891. Over the years, it changed hands and became Muirhead's, a well-known office furniture store. Today, it's home to various businesses like Flosonics and Salute Coffee.
Transportation and Public Buildings
Canadian Pacific Railway Station
The Canadian Pacific Railway Station at 233 Elgin Street was built in 1915. It was the city's main train station for CPR service. Even though the main cross-Canada train line moved, this station is still used for VIA Rail service. It also became the new home for the city's farmer's market in 2013!
CPR Ticket and Telegraph Office
At 49 Elgin Street, this building once served as the CPR Ticket and Telegraph Office. It has been updated and is now used as office space for the McEwen School of Architecture campus.
Government of Canada Building
The Government of Canada Building at 19 Lisgar Street is another important historic site, recognized for its role in the community.
Former Canadian Pacific Railway (VIA Rail) Station
Located at 1 Van Horne Street, this building is also recognized as a historic place, highlighting Sudbury's connection to the railway.
Entertainment and Community Hubs
Grand Opera House
The Grand Opera House at 24 Elgin Street was built in 1909. It was a popular place for entertainment and had different names over the years, like Grand Theatre and Empire Theatre. It could seat over 1200 people! Today, it's a bar and apartments.
Sudbury Community Arena
The Sudbury Community Arena at 240 Elgin Street was built in 1951. It has been a major spot for sports and events in Sudbury for decades. It was built on the site of the old Central Public School.
Inco Club
The Inco Club at 62 Frood Road was built in 1938. It served as a community hub, likely for employees of the International Nickel Company (Inco), which was very important to Sudbury's economy.
Other Notable Structures
Doran's Brewery
The Doran's Brewery at 185 Lorne Street South was built in 1907. After the Northern Breweries closed in 2006, the building was empty for many years. Now, it's being turned into modern apartments!
Pearl Street Water Tower
The Water Tower on Pearl Street was built between 1953 and 1956. It was used to hold water for the city until 1998. Since then, there have been many ideas for what to do with it, including turning it into homes, offices, or even a restaurant! More recently, plans have been made to convert it into housing for homeless youth and to create a public park around it.
St. Joseph's Hospital
The original St. Joseph's Hospital building at 20 Ste Anne Road was built in 1898. Over the years, it had additions like a surgical ward and a new heating plant. The hospital closed in 1975, and parts of it were taken down. The remaining part is now a retirement home called Red Oak Villa.
Lost Buildings and Structures
Not all historic buildings survive. Some are demolished to make way for new developments, but they are still part of Sudbury's history.
Ash Street Water Tower
The Water Tower on Ash Street, also known as the Pine Street Water Tower, was a landmark that was demolished in 2011.
Capitol Theatre
The Capitol Theatre at 64 Cedar Street was a large movie theater that could seat over 1300 people. It was demolished in 2005.
Acme Block
The Acme Block at 24 Durham Street was built around 1910 but was later demolished.
Nickel Range Hotel
The Nickel Range Hotel on Elm Street was a very grand hotel built in 1914. It was so important that King George VI and Queen Elizabeth even stayed there during their visit in June 1939! Sadly, it was demolished in 1976.
Federal Building - "Old Post Office"
The Federal Building, also known as the "Old Post Office," was built in 1915 at the corner of Elm and Durham Street. It was a stone building with a tall, ninety-foot clock tower. The clock, made in England, had four illuminated faces. This beautiful building was demolished in 1959.