Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 2 Fall 2016 | Page 14

FERNIE’S HERITAGE BUILDINGS – A

Downtown Walking Tour CONT’D

2 THE HOME BANK
491 2nd Avenue | Now in use as
The Fernie Museum and Visitor
Information Centre

been altered, the brick and sandstone
exterior retains many of its striking
original features. Step inside for a
taste of today; the Brickhouse serves
up a large selection of Fernie Brewing
Company Beers, BC wines and a tasty
pub menu. The original bank vault is still
in use as the chef’s pantry. 
4 THE COURT HOUSE
401 4th Ave | Now in use as
Fernie’s Government of BC Offices

This highly decorative building was
constructed in 1910 to house a branch
of the Home Bank on the main floor
and the Herchmer-Mitchel Law Office
on the second floor. Except for the
paint, the exterior is in its original
configuration making this a significant
heritage building. The failure of the
Home Bank in 1923 cost Fernie
depositors $800,000 and led to a rewriting of Canada’s banking laws. These
new rules prevented the widespread
bank failures in the 1930s. See p8 for
more.
3 THE IMPERIAL BANK 1909
401 2nd Ave | Now in use as
The Brickhouse Bar & Grill

On August 1, 1908, on the corner of
2nd Ave and 4th St, the members of
the Fernie Fire Department made
their last stand in the fight of the
catastrophic fire that would consume
Fernie in just 90 minutes. The Imperial
Bank of Canada built a new bank here
in 1909, using a standard small city
branch design. The company merged
with the Canadian Bank of Commerce
in 1961 and closed the branch in
1963.  Although some features have

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Lauded as one of BC’s best buildings,
the Court House is a spectacular
chateau-style building rarely found
in the area. Enjoy the grounds and
beautiful views of the surrounding
mountains.
5 HOLY FAMILY
CATHOLIC CHURCH
521 4th Avenue

The history of the church dates back to
the beginning of Fernie when Father J.
Welsh was sent from Cranbrook to hold
masses for approximately 200 miners
in 1898. Some of these miners donated
one day’s wages every month towards
the construction of a place of worship
and volunteer parishioners completed
this church in 1912. It was and still is
home to Fernie’s largest congregation.