Description of Historic Place

The Lemon Block is located at the western end of Rossland's downtown core. It is on the south side of Columbia Avenue, west of Spokane Street, and across Hwy 3B from the rock bluff. The Lemon Block is a substantial, two storey building with a pitched roof, a stuccoed facade and two bay windows on the second floor facing Columbia Avenue. The building's footprint is 30' by 100'.

Heritage Value

The Lemon Block has historic value as the oldest remaining heritage building in Rossland's historic downtown core. The Lemon Block was built in 1895 at the beginning of the construction boom years in Rossland's early development as a townsite. For a short time in 1896 the first Bank of Montreal operated out of the building. After that, R.E. Lemon had his General Store on the main floor and living accomodations above. Although many of the building's original interior and exterior features have been lost to renovations, two bay windows on the second floor remain to reflect the original character of the building.

The building is also valued for its location on the western road entrance to Rossland. It was the western edge of the area where the first permanent commercial buildings were built in Rossland.

SOURCE: City of Rossland - Heritage Commission

Character-Defining Elements

The elements that define the character of the Lemon Block include its:
- location on its original footprint
- Two bay windows on the second floor facing Columbia Avenue