The Merchants Bank of Canada

EATONIA - As the railways were built and towns were established, banks followed closely behind. Initially, the original rural municipalities of Mantario and Royal Canadian dealt with the Union Bank in Alsask. As the Eaton site was becoming more established, it was decided that a bank would be of value, and on December 2, 1918, the Union Bank of Canada opened in an old cook car. This was one of the first buildings on the townsite. The first manager was R. S. Hodgins. As development of the village progressed, the Union Bank was absorbed by the Royal Bank of Canada in 1925. It was then moved to a more permanent spot on the northwest corner of 1st Ave East and Main Street. The building still stands there today.

Employees of the Merchant’s Bank, 1920-1922. (L-R): Mr. Bentley (Ledger Keeper), Algy Pym (Junior Clerk), Geoffrey Burbidge (Bank Manager), George H. Day (Accountant), Mr. Planz (Teller). COURTESY EATONIA CENTENNIAL 2020

The Merchant’s Bank of Canada was built in 1919, and G. C. Burbidge was the first manager. In those days it was a very impressive building. It was constructed on the southwest corner of 1st Ave East and Main Street, directly across the avenue from the Union Bank. In 1922, the Merchant’s Bank amalgamated with the Bank of Montreal. By 1924, the Union Bank (RBC), growing steadily, moved across the avenue into the BMO building.

Laporte and Mantario also had their own banks for a short while, a Union Bank and Royal Bank, respectively, in the 1920s.

For the majority of its existence, the old Merchant’s Bank building has housed a financial institution, most recently the Prairie Centre Credit Union. When the PCCU built their new bank on the west side of Main Street, the Town of Eatonia office moved into the original Merchant’s Bank building. You can still recognize where the original front door would have been alongside the double windows.

Another piece of Eatonia’s history preserved for future generations.