Imperial Bank of Canada (1909)

Imperial Bank of Canada (1909). . , The original building at this location was destroyed by the disastrous fire of 1903, and the building that replaced it was a very small wooden structure. In 1907, it was occupied by two real estate firms, Smith and Gibbs, and Bradley and Nickerson., Prior to the turn of the century, there was little banking done in Alberta and most of that was carried out in hotel offices. As Wetaskiwin grew, however, the people needed a better system of banking, and in 1909, the Imperial Bank of Canada built this beautiful brick building. It was one of only four branches in Alberta; one in Edmonton, one in Strathcona, and one in Calgary., Wetaskiwin's first Imperial Bank manager was H.W. Wright. He stayed for twenty-seven years, until 1936, when he was replaced by J.B. Black. Located above the bank were living quarters for some of the bank personnel, and the law offices of Loggie and Manley, Barristers and Solicitors. In 1935, the law office of R.W. Manley occupied the second floor., In June of 1961, the Imperial Bank of Canada merged with the Canadian Bank of Commerce and became the Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce. The Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce occupied this building until they moved in 1990.