I did a two part
history of the Woodbine. A few of the images I used in that:
Edward Hebb. Became owner (or at least half owner) in 1889-ish. Died in the hotel still a half owner and operator in 1942. Over 50 years !!
The telegram (Syracuse NY) reports on the fire that destroyed Ashdown's, The Bulman block, reduces the Dufferin Block (Birt Saddlery) to one floor and severely damages the Woodbine.
I always found it interesting that from 1904 to this day the Bulman Block never rebuilt, Birt's remained a single storey. Ashdown's was the only spot to completely rebuild and the Woodbine used the renovations to continue it's partial third storey right to the front of the building. You'd think that through the boom years of the 10's and 20's that someone would have wanted to fill in the spaces.
(Ashdown's Burning from
Wpg Fire Museum )
c 1907 from
Virtual Heritage Winnipeg)