Nelson Daily News, June 3, 1902

Instructions were received yesterday from Ottawa by Architect McDonald to allow the work on the post office building to proceed.

The Tribune, Dcc. 12,1900

The completed plans for the Dominion government offices, postal, customs and inland revenue, arrived here yesterday and are now in the office of Cane and Macdonald, who are to he in charge of the work, for the convenience of contractors who desire to figure on the job. The building will be the most costly in the city, a contractor roughly estimating that it will not be completed at less than $70,000 or $75,000.

The Daily News, June 3, 1902

The design is rather more elaborate than any adopted for any of the business blocks yet constructed.... In type the proposed building follows the Romanesque style. The foundations and base walls are to be granite, the first storey of native marble, the second of native pressed brick and the third or attic of pressed brick with slated roof and copper cornices.

There will be a granite wall constructed across the back of the building, creating a yard into which teams, delivering mail and customs matter can drive through a 16 foot alley on the east side opening from Vernon St.

The basement of the first floor is given over wholly to the heating apparatus and coal bunkers. The first floor is devoted exclusively to the postal department and the arrangements for the convenience of the public look as though they were almost perfect. The second story belongs to the customs and revenue officials... On the third floor or attic are the caretaker's quarters and these are commodious: a parlor, dining room, four bedrooms, a kitchen and a bathroom.

The building is to be well finished throughout. The basement will be concrete and have cemented floors. In the vestibule, the floors and wainscoting will be of tile and the entrances finished in dressed marble and cut stone. The stairs and entrance doors are to be oak and plate glass will also enter into the construction of the doors.

Editors note:
Architect James Macdonald also drew up plans for a proposed Carnegie Library for Nelson, which was never built. Although not so well known in B.C. as Francis Raaenbury, public buildings designed by him after his departure from Nelson are spread throughout the Prairie Provinces.

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