St. John's in CensusDiv 1 - Avalon Peninsula-St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador — The Atlantic Provinces (North America)

Thompson Building

c 1847

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2014

1. Thompson Building Marker

Inscription. Built after the 1846 fire, this structure housed a wide range of enterprises including Lash’s Bakery, the Railway Hotel, and McNamara and Thompson, both jewelers. Constructed with a timber frame, stone foundation and a brick exterior, it was among those downtown premises which survived the Great Fire of 1892.

Erected by Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1846.

Location. 47° 33.702′ N, 52° 42.597′ W. Marker is in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, in CensusDiv 1 - Avalon Peninsula-St. John's. It is on Water Street close to Beck's Cove, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 305 Water Street, St John's NL A1C, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Atlantic Canada.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony

and also the Viceroyalty of New France.

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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: O’Dwyer Block (a few steps from this marker); St. John’s Court House (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); (Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Monument) (approx. 0.3 kilometers away); John Reeves (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Gower Street United Church (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); St. John the Baptist Anglican Cathedral (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); William Carson (approx. 0.4 kilometers away); Masonic Temple (approx. half a kilometer away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. John's.

Also see . . . Thompson Building - Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland & Labrador. Rather than being made exclusively of wood, the builder, probably the merchant Richard O'Dwyer, opted for a brick exterior. This exterior helped save the building from serious damage decades later when the city's last Great Fire destroyed most of the city in 1892. (Submitted on November 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, June 22, 2014

2. Thompson Building Marker

The marker is on the right end of the building.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 21, 2025. It was originally submitted on November 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 488 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 22, 2014, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.