HISTORY
BUSINESSES
BUSINESSES
BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA
1912-2001
1912-2001
In the photo above, the Bank of Nova Scotia is the dark red building on the left, as it looked from when it was built in 1939 until it closed in 2001. The Public (Government) Building (cream colour) is just east of it. The DOSCO Main Office was the large light-coloured building taking up the right side of the photo, with the "new" Staff Boarding House (grey colour, built in 1957) far right. This photo from the Southey Collection of photos was taken early 1960s. The land on the right is now occupied by the Home Hardware Building Centre.
Before mining started in 1895, Bell Island residents would have done their banking in St. John's. Shortly after mining started, the St. John's business of Shirran & Pippy of Water Street, who had negotiated on behalf of the Butlers of Topsail to lease the Bell Island mining claims to the Scotia Company, set up a general business premises just uphill from what was at that time Scotia Pier and became Dominion Pier in 1899. Sometime in the 1890s, J.B. Martin, who was an accountant with Shirran & Pippy in St. John's, was sent to Bell Island to manage the store. Eventually he became the owner of what was then the leading business establishment on Bell Island. In those early decades, he acted as banker for the community, carrying many thousands of dollars in cash to change the cheques of the workmen, as they were being paid by cheque at the time.
There was no official bank on Bell Island until October 2, 1912 when the Bank of Nova Scotia established a branch on Main Street with Bertram Butler of Topsail in charge. (See his bio below.) In the photo below, the 2-storey building in the middle of the picture was the original Bank of Nova Scotia prior to 1939. An item in the Daily News in 1933 reported that on January 7, a chimney fire occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Noseworthy who lived above the Bank of Nova Scotia. Also in this picture, the Masonic Hall, which is still standing in 2022, is the 2-storey building on the right, partially obscured by the bungalow in the foreground. The photographer is standing at the top of Town Square looking south on Main Street. The Avalon Telephone building is on the left. (See more about the Masonic Hall and the Avalon Telephone building in "Built Heritage" under "Photo Gallery" in the top menu.) Prince's Theatre is out of the picture on the right, as is Hughie's Snack Bar. Photo, courtesy of Henry Crane, is late 1950s to early 1960s.
There was no official bank on Bell Island until October 2, 1912 when the Bank of Nova Scotia established a branch on Main Street with Bertram Butler of Topsail in charge. (See his bio below.) In the photo below, the 2-storey building in the middle of the picture was the original Bank of Nova Scotia prior to 1939. An item in the Daily News in 1933 reported that on January 7, a chimney fire occurred at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Noseworthy who lived above the Bank of Nova Scotia. Also in this picture, the Masonic Hall, which is still standing in 2022, is the 2-storey building on the right, partially obscured by the bungalow in the foreground. The photographer is standing at the top of Town Square looking south on Main Street. The Avalon Telephone building is on the left. (See more about the Masonic Hall and the Avalon Telephone building in "Built Heritage" under "Photo Gallery" in the top menu.) Prince's Theatre is out of the picture on the right, as is Hughie's Snack Bar. Photo, courtesy of Henry Crane, is late 1950s to early 1960s.
It was announced on May 10, 1939, that the Bank of Nova Scotia would erect a new building during the summer on the corner of Bennett Street and Dominion Street [now Petrie's Hill]. It was a two-storey structure measuring 60 feet by 28 feet. The photo below shows the front and west side of the Bank c.1958. Photo by Tom Careless, courtesy of Dave Careless.
Some of the known Managers of the Bank of Nova Scotia, Bell Island
Bio of Bertram Butler, first manager of Bank of Nova Scotia's Bell Island branch (1912-1914):
Bertram Butler (1890-1970) was born in Topsail to Phoebe and John Jennings Butler (who was one of the members of the group who took out mining claims for Bell Island iron ore in 1892). When a branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia was established on Bell Island in September 1912, Bertram, age 22, was its first manager. |
Butler worked at the bank for 2 years until the First World War broke out, at which time he enlisted in the Newfoundland Regiment. He served on the battlegrounds of Europe for almost the entirety of the war, and was promoted through the ranks to become a captain by 1916. He led many raiding parties and was wounded 3 times, earning him the distinction of being the Regiment's most-decorated soldier. Following the war, he was promoted to Major. In 1920, he was appointed vice-president of the Great War Veterans Association, the precursor to what is now the Royal Canadian Legion. He held that role for a decade and was involved in getting the War Memorial in St. John's built. Also in 1920, he was seconded for duty with the Civil Re-Establishment Committee, helping soldiers returning from war adjust to civilian life. He moved to Corner Brook and worked at the paper mill that opened in 1925, managing the company's Dormston Farm. He served in the Bay of Islands Home Guard in Corner Brook during World War II. He served as honorary lieutenant colonel for the Royal Newfoundland Regiment from 1952 to 1957. He died in Corner Brook in 1970 and is buried in the United Church Cemetery on Montgomerie Street. In 1916, the City of Corner Brook named a new hiking trail in his honour.
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In 1915, Frank Davis was manager; he probably succeeded Bertram Butler in 1914.
In 1919, G.A. Mowatt was manager. In October of 1923, he was was transferred to Canada.
In the Fall of 1923, a Mr. Mosher became manager.
About 1927, W.J. Brien became manager. In the summer of 1935, he was transferred to Bonavista after 8 years in charge of the local branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia.
In summer of 1935, George N. Rendell became manager.
In 1949: Clifford Shaw.
From 1953 to August 1958: Gilbert F. Inkpen.
From August 1958 to October 1962: Donald Templeman, brother of Dr. Walter Templeman.
From October 1962 to August 1964: Douglas Sheppard.
From August 1964 to 1972, R.H. (Reg) Coppin.
From 1972 to c.1973: Patrick J. McDonald.
1974 to 19??: Dave S. Connolly.
Briefly in the 1970s: Sam Butt.
In 1979: Alan Drover.
c.1987 to 2001: Laura Parsons.
About 1987, Laura Parsons became the officer-in-charge. She had started with the branch as a ledger-keeper around 1972. In 1992, the Bell Island location was termed a "sub-branch." Bell Island's population at that time was 4,057, and most workers commuted to St. John's and area for work. The sub-branch had one full-time teller, Glenys Pendergast, and two part-time tellers, Sheree Denney and Eileen Hammond. The images below of the staff and branch at Bell Island are from Canadian Banker, V. 99, No. 3, May-June 1992, p. 25. The little boy is standing next to the night depository safe. The orange door in the middle photo was the door to the manager's office.
In 1919, G.A. Mowatt was manager. In October of 1923, he was was transferred to Canada.
In the Fall of 1923, a Mr. Mosher became manager.
About 1927, W.J. Brien became manager. In the summer of 1935, he was transferred to Bonavista after 8 years in charge of the local branch of the Bank of Nova Scotia.
In summer of 1935, George N. Rendell became manager.
In 1949: Clifford Shaw.
From 1953 to August 1958: Gilbert F. Inkpen.
From August 1958 to October 1962: Donald Templeman, brother of Dr. Walter Templeman.
From October 1962 to August 1964: Douglas Sheppard.
From August 1964 to 1972, R.H. (Reg) Coppin.
From 1972 to c.1973: Patrick J. McDonald.
1974 to 19??: Dave S. Connolly.
Briefly in the 1970s: Sam Butt.
In 1979: Alan Drover.
c.1987 to 2001: Laura Parsons.
About 1987, Laura Parsons became the officer-in-charge. She had started with the branch as a ledger-keeper around 1972. In 1992, the Bell Island location was termed a "sub-branch." Bell Island's population at that time was 4,057, and most workers commuted to St. John's and area for work. The sub-branch had one full-time teller, Glenys Pendergast, and two part-time tellers, Sheree Denney and Eileen Hammond. The images below of the staff and branch at Bell Island are from Canadian Banker, V. 99, No. 3, May-June 1992, p. 25. The little boy is standing next to the night depository safe. The orange door in the middle photo was the door to the manager's office.
In 1992, a plaque on the wall of the bank gave the following history:
The Bank of Nova Scotia opened a branch on Bell Island on 2 October 1912 during a wave of expansion before World War I. In 1951, it became known as the Wabana Branch, which for the past 10 years has operated as a sub-branch to the main branch in St. John's. The current location on Bennett Street was expanded in the late 1950s and recently received further renovations.
The phase-out of the Bank of Nova Scotia's in-person operations on Bell Island began in the spring of 1997 with the installation of an ATM machine in the lobby of the building. Three years later, Bank of Nova Scotia officials deemed that a full-fledged branch on Bell Island was no longer viable. On March 9, 2001, the four Wabana employees were transferred to branches in St. John's, leaving only the ATM service for residents.
Shortly after the branch closed, Margaret (nee Brazil) Skehans purchased the building and renovated the main floor to house her business, Crafts & Decor. At the west end of the building, the door that was once the main entrance to the Bank is now the entrance to the ATM machine. Photo by Gail Hussey-Weir, 2012.
The Bank of Nova Scotia opened a branch on Bell Island on 2 October 1912 during a wave of expansion before World War I. In 1951, it became known as the Wabana Branch, which for the past 10 years has operated as a sub-branch to the main branch in St. John's. The current location on Bennett Street was expanded in the late 1950s and recently received further renovations.
The phase-out of the Bank of Nova Scotia's in-person operations on Bell Island began in the spring of 1997 with the installation of an ATM machine in the lobby of the building. Three years later, Bank of Nova Scotia officials deemed that a full-fledged branch on Bell Island was no longer viable. On March 9, 2001, the four Wabana employees were transferred to branches in St. John's, leaving only the ATM service for residents.
Shortly after the branch closed, Margaret (nee Brazil) Skehans purchased the building and renovated the main floor to house her business, Crafts & Decor. At the west end of the building, the door that was once the main entrance to the Bank is now the entrance to the ATM machine. Photo by Gail Hussey-Weir, 2012.
Sources: Addison Bown, "Newspaper History of Bell Island"; Canadian Banker, V. 99, No. 3, May-June 1992, pp. 24-27; Telegram, Mar. 9, 1997, p. 4, and August 4, 2000, p. 1.