Mainline Ford Building
427 Grand Avenue, Indian Head, Saskatchewan, Canada
Formally Recognized:
2000/03/07
Other Name(s)
Mainline Ford Building
Railton Motors; North Star Service Station
Links and documents
n/a
Construction Date(s)
1937/01/01 to 1937/12/31
Listed on the Canadian Register:
2004/06/22
Statement of Significance
Description of Historic Place
The Mainline Ford Building is a Municipal Heritage Property comprised of approximately 1/4 of a city block on the main business street in the Town of Indian Head. The property features a one-storey, stucco-clad service station built in the Art Moderne style.
Heritage Value
The heritage value of the Mainline Ford Building lies in its architecture. Built by the North Star Oil Company in 1937 on Indian Head's main street, the Mainline Ford Building was one of the first gas station buildings to be constructed by the corporation in the Art Moderne style. Designed to project beauty and high utility, the building features several horizontally-oriented design elements typical of the streamlined Art Moderne form of architecture. A notable interpretation of the style is the round, rocketship-inspired cupola situated on the northwest corner of the building. The use of Art Moderne styling, which is often associated with speed and motion, reflected the growing importance of automobile travel in Saskatchewan's rural areas. Custom-designed to serve the automotive industry as a gas station and sales outlet, the building was set back from the sidewalk to allow quick and easy access to the gas pumps and automobile sales area. The ability of the station to service automobiles was enhanced when Mainline Motors assumed ownership of the property and added a paint shop to the rear of the property in the early 1960s. Today, the building continues to be a landmark in the town's central business district.
Source:
Town of Indian Head Bylaw 1-2000.
Character-Defining Elements
The heritage value of the Mainline Ford Building resides in the following character-defining elements:
-those elements which reflect the Art Moderne style of architecture, including flat roof line, rounded corners, stucco siding, horizontally oriented window panes and low brick wall;
-the stylized cupola on the corner of the roof;
-those elements which reflect the role of the building as a automobile service station and sales outlet, including service bay doors, signage and fixtures;
-the unobstructed and easily accessible retail service area in front of the building.
Recognition
Jurisdiction
Saskatchewan
Recognition Authority
Local Governments (SK)
Recognition Statute
Heritage Property Act, s. 11(1)(a)
Recognition Type
Municipal Heritage Property
Recognition Date
2000/03/07
Historical Information
Significant Date(s)
n/a
Theme - Category and Type
- Developing Economies
- Trade and Commerce
Function - Category and Type
Current
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Shop or Wholesale Establishment
Historic
- Commerce / Commercial Services
- Service Station
Architect / Designer
n/a
Builder
n/a
Additional Information
Location of Supporting Documentation
Department of Culture, Youth and Recreation
Heritage Resources Branch
1919 Saskatchewan Drive Regina, SK
File: MHP 2034
Cross-Reference to Collection
Fed/Prov/Terr Identifier
MHP 2034
Status
Published
Related Places
n/a