Best Historical Landmark Edmonton Near Me

4worldlovers: Concordia University of Edmonton (CUE) has acquired the historic Magrath Mansion in the heart of the Highlands neighbourhood from the Braaksma Family.

The Magrath Mansion is a two and one half-storey building overlooking the North Saskatchewan River in Edmonton’s Highlands neighbourhood. Built between 1912 and 1913 by William Magrath, the house was designated a Provincial Historic Resource in 1975 and has been owned by the Braaksma family since 2000.

“Today is a very exciting day for CUE,” said Dr. Tim Loreman, President and Vice-Chancellor. “The Magrath Mansion is an important part of Edmonton’s history. We are grateful for the Braaksma family’s generosity, and we are looking forward to inviting our students, faculty, staff, and community to learn about the property’s history, be inspired by its architecture, and continue creating its legacy.”

As the new owners, CUE is committed to maintaining and caring for the property, which will serve as community gathering space and venue for events, fundraisers, conferences, seminars, and student-centred programming.

“The Magrath Mansion has been an important part of so many lives,” said Nellie Braaksma. “When we bought the mansion, we wanted to restore it and extend its presence in the community. Since then, we’ve been fortunate to welcome visitors from around the world to the property to admire and appreciate it, and I am very happy that it will continue to have a presence and make an impact as part of CUE.”

Valued at $3.175 million, the property covers five municipal city lots, providing ample space for education, research, entertainment, and gathering. While real estate donations are common at other post-secondary universities, this is the largest individual gift ($1.425 million) that CUE has received to date.

“The possibilities are endless,” said James Wakelin, President of the Concordia Students’ Association. “We are excited to start brainstorming and imagining how we can use the space provided by the Magrath Mansion to serve and deliver programming to students.”

4worldlovers: Canada Permanent Building, image via City of Edmonton Archives EA-33-13

The Canada Permanent Building is a registered and designated Municipal and Provincial Heritage Resource, providing a sense of identity and place both for visitors and Edmontonians.

4worldlovers: Fort Edmonton Park is officially open for the season. We invite you to explore the park with your family and friends and enjoy all the attractions at Fort Edmonton Park! Open Wednesday - Sunday (+ Holiday Monday) from 10 am - 5 pm.

Experience the Park from anywhere! Our map brings the attractions to you, making it easy to get around and plan your visit.


Fort Edmonton Park is a leader in cultural tourism offering local, regional, and international guests a truly interactive and memorable experience.


Our expansive, multi-attraction space provides a community gathering place for guests, whether it be a park visit, a private function, or a special event.


Every visit is a new adventure filled with immersive and unique experiences.

4worldlovers: This web page, when following the links, leads to a description of the City of Edmonton's Heritage Resource Management Program

The Margaret Martin Residence is a two and one-half storey plus basement brick-clad residence with wraparound verandah, located at the corner of 84 Avenue and 106 Street, in the Strathcona neighbourhood of Edmonton.

The Margaret Martin Residence is valued as the first house to be built in the Martin Estate in West Strathcona, representing the development of the City of Strathcona during the boom years prior to World War One. For a number of years the settlement of Strathcona, located on the south side of the North Saskatchewan River, was Edmonton's rival in size and importance. The area was originally split into two areas. West of 99 Street - such as this area - the residents were mainly from a commercial or business background, while those east of 99 Street were generally involved in trades, or employed by Gainer's or the Canadian Pacific Railway (C.P.R.).

The Margaret Martin Residence is additionally significant for it association with Margaret Martin, who with her husband, David, were pioneers in this neighbourhood. The Martins acquired a large tract of farm land in this location west of Strathcona in 1899. David died one year later, and Margaret continued on this land with their eleven children. As the population in the area expanded, the farm was subdivided and known as Martin Estates. This grand house was built for Margaret Martin and her family circa 1907. Margaret continued to reside in the house until 1939.

Furthermore, the Margaret Martin Residence is significant as an example of the four-square style, popular during the Edwardian-era and typified by symmetrical design, generous proportions and restrained detailing. This is an early surviving example of the early work of the Magoon, Hopkins and James architectural partnership, the partners of which went on to become some of the most respected architects in western Canada. Alberta had been created in 1905, and the construction industry was booming, creating significant opportunities that drew a large number of architects to the province. Herbert Alton Magoon (1863-1941) arrived in Edmonton in 1905, the same year that Edward Colis Hopkins (1857-1941) was appointed the Provincial Architect. English-born and trained P. Leonard James (1878-1970) arrived in Edmonton in 1906, and during his two year stay won the competition for the Strathcona and Royal Alexandra Hospitals, and completed a number of significant projects. In 1908, James relocated to British Columbia where he became one of the province's most prominent architects; the Margaret Martin Residence is one of the only buildings that survives from his short-lived partnership with Magoon and Hopkins.

Key elements that define the heritage character of the Margaret Martin Residence include its:

- location on a corner lot, with associated landscape features such as two giant, mature Russian Willows;

- residential form, scale and massing, as expressed by its two and one-half storey plus basement height, two-storey bay window to the south, ground floor bay windows to the north and east, bell cast hipped roof and semi-circular dormers;

- broad roof overhangs, with closed eaves and curved decorative eave brackets;

- masonry construction, including brick cladding, and parged belt course and quoining;

- fenestration, such as: double-hung one-over-one wooden sash windows; round-headed dormer windows with pointed-arch muntins; original glazed wooden entrance door; and a bulls-eye window on the ground floor;

- interior features such as: staircases with square newels and lathe-turned balusters; six-panelled doors, some with transoms; wooden door and window trim; original hardware; wooden floors; and plaster walls.