Fernie & Elk Valley Culture Guide Issue 4 - Spring 2017 | Page 12

FERNIE’S HERITAGE BUILDINGS – A
Downtown Walking Tour CONT’D
filled-in windows along the base of the
building indicating that the street was
once lower than it is today.
3   THE HOME BANK
491 2nd Avenue | Now in use as
The Fernie Museum and Visitor
Information Centre
with the Canadian Bank of Commerce
in 1961 and closed the branch in
1963.  Although some features have
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. 
5   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 re-
writing of Canada’s banking laws. These
new rules prevented the widespread
bank failures in the 1930s.
4   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
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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.
6   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