The next time you're in downtown New Westminster, be sure to look at the flag flying from a newly reerected flagpole atop the Westminster Building. A simple rooftop ceremony at this landmark structure a couple of weeks ago formally put a flag back on this building. A group gathered, Canada's Maple Leaf was run up the pole, O Canada was heartily sung by all, a few speeches were given, and it was done.
One hundred years ago, when this building was under construction, a flagpole on the roof was an integral part of the project. The flag, high above what was considered the best downtown corner at Columbia and Begbie, was a prominent feature on a deliberately dominant building. In time, the flagpole was taken down, but with the building celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, the pole is back up. Photos of this building's earliest years show the original flag to be a large Union Jack, and it truly was a widely noticed feature on the local skyline in the early 1900s. Even before the Westminster Trust Block, as it was then known, was finished for occupancy, it had been ornately decorated from top to bottom with streamers, flags and bunting for the visiting Duke of Connaught.
It is always interesting to look back during an anniversary to see what the world was like at that time. In this case, when the Westminster Trust Block was being completed in 1912, what topics highlighted the local and far reaching stories in the community?
Locally, the new road and rail bridge was all of eight years old but was proving to be a great asset and, while the city's Great Fire of 1898 was 14 years past, there were still many reminders of that fateful event.
The Russell Hotel was now five years old and very popular, and the new B.C. Electric Railway station was busy with streetcar and interurban traffic.
The city library was just up the hill behind the Westminster Trust Block, the Arundel Mansions building on Begbie Street was also new in 1912, and the Royal Columbian Hospital, then 50 years old, was being greatly enlarged with a dramatic new structure. By the end of the year, the Westminster Club would be in its new home at the top of the new building, a skyscraper in its day.
On the world scene, the Ziegfeld Follies was big on Broadway and That Old Gal of Mine was a popular song. F.W. Woolworth established his chain of stores, and Oreo cookies were introduced. Arguably the biggest individual date in the year 1912 came in April with the sinking of the S.S. Titanic.
The strata owners of the Westminster Building deserve our thanks and congratulations for honouring the history and heritage of their building and, by extension, that of the entire community.
