BP Museum history: Bank of Montreal

This photo of the Neepawa branch of the Bank of Montreal (BMO) is quite timely, as it celebrated its 125th birthday of being within this community recently.

(See the full details on Page 9)

This particular photo is of the building that was located at 436 Mountain Ave. It had originally been built by the Merchant’s Bank in 1903/04 but became known as the Bank of Montreal in 1922.

The bank occupies the same spot today, though the building has completely changed in both appearance and size. However, instead of being completely demolished, the pillars had been taken down and modified to be used s parking stops at Riverbend Park.

The specific date for this photo was not available.

If you were seeking the truth, Ken Waddell, you did not find it. In your Feb. 3. column, (Right in the Centre - Seeking the Truth) you falsely stated the US Civil War could’ve been avoided if only the North “compensated” the slave owners in the South.

Not only is that ahistorical, it’s morally wrong. The Confederates seceded because they wanted to maintain slavery, that’s it. Confederate VP Alexander Stephens thought black people were naturally meant to be slaves to white people.

The Civil War wasn’t about “compensation”, it was about systemic racism.

Neil Strohschein’s Feb. 3 column (Faithfully Yours - Laying the foundation) mentioned a homily explaining systemic racism. Maybe start your truth-seeking there.

Arden Raaen

Winnipeg, MB

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Thumbs up, thumbs down

Thumbs Up to Mother Nature for bringing us a Bonspiel thaw just in time for the Viterra Championship Curling in Neepawa!

Robert Smith Sidney, Mb

A thumbs down to the Federal Government and the Tractor manufacturers! At Ag Days, myself and the rest of the grey hair crew shared our thoughts that tractors have become unnecessarily complicated and too reliant on computer components!

Robert Smith

Sidney, Mb

Many thumbs up to all the staff at Country Meadows. The care you give to the residents there is greatly appreciated by those who love them. God bless you all.

Karol Onyschak and family McCreary, Mb

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