Description of Historic Place

The Lalonde & Rodier Block is a two-storey wood-frame commercial building situated over two city lots on the north side and at the eastern end of Columbia Avenue, in historic downtown Rossland, B.C. The flat-roofed building is divided into four commercial storefronts.

Heritage Value

Constructed in 1896/1897, the Lalonde & Rodier Block has historic and social value as a surviving first-generation commercial building, dating to the time of Rossland's early boom period. The heritage site is named for Charles Octave Lalonde and Mary B. Rodier, the joint owners when it was first constructed. Lalonde operated his boot and shoe business (its second location) in two of the storefronts in 1898 and 1899 and Mary Rodier's husband, Peter, ran his tinsmith business from this place for several years. C. O. Lalonde played a significant role in the early days of Rossland's development after arriving in 1895. He was very active in local affairs and politics - spearheaded the drive to establish a school and was the first chairman of the newly formed School Board and he sought elected public office upon incorporation. He served as alderman in 1898 and became Mayor in 1901.

The Lalonde & Rodier Block is an example of the type of real estate speculation that the first city builders could bank on as solid investments. The varied and eclectic mixture of uses in its early years is a heritage value of this place, as it reflects the ever-changing and evolving nature of the boom town. Used for professional offices, trades, retail and residences in its early years, this heritage site exemplifies the revenue generation that real estate speculators such as Lalonde and Rodier sought in constructing buildings like this as Rossland prospered from the local mining industry.

This building also has value for its association with some long-term businesses that were institutions in Rossland in the second half of the twentieth century. The Sunshine Coffee Shop and Cafe, and Delich's Jewellery and Gifts were located here for over 45 years. The building was owned the Delich family for seven decades until 2007.

Character-Defining Elements

The elements that define the character of the Lalonde and Rodier Block include its:
- Original location on Columbia Avenue in Rossland's historic downtown core
- Continuous commercial and residential use since 1897
- Two-storey commercial form, and construction over the full width of two city lots
- Flat roof and wood-frame construction
- Original window and door openings on its south, east, and north facades
- Four distinctive storefronts at street level
- Rear additions that speak to the varied and changing uses of the building over time
- Surviving evidence of the building's use for both commercial and residential purposes at different times in its history
- Evidence of its original wood cladding