Restoration of Pendennis building in downtown Edmonton unearths relics from the past
CBC
A major restoration project in downtown Edmonton has unearthed some long-lost treasures that may soon be on display to the public.
When construction began on the historic Pendennis building on Jasper Avenue, it quickly became apparent that some things had been left behind.
"We found these treasures. We found these artifacts in the building in 2007 when we were demolishing the interior," said David Murray one of the original architects working on the project.
The three-storey building at 9660 Jasper Ave. was built in 1911 but elements of it can be traced back to at least 1898.
It served as a hotel and boarding house, and the artifacts offer a rare glimpse of the people who stayed and spent their time in its halls and rooms.
In total, 122 artifacts were found tucked away inside the walls and closets.
But for a decade those items sat in a box, until the building was purchased by Pendennis Developments in 2019.
Murray said he accidentally became the caretaker for all the artifacts, but that led to a passion project he never expected.
He has been painstakingly researching each object, as far back as he can go.
"I've worked on many buildings and we restore them and what we have is the building itself to tell the story," Murray said.
"In this case, not only do we have the building, but we have memories and reflections on times that go way back. You know, our earliest artifact dates back to 1889."
The items cover everyday essentials like lipsticks, shaving cream, tobacco pouches, books, beer bottles and meal tickets.
But there were some unique discoveries.
A matchmaking application from Edmonton's first matchmaking company, ads for hypnotism, and an unopened can of calcium chloride for vehicle headlights, Jamaica ginger concentrate — sold as a medicine but consumed during Prohibition — and a cherry pitter.
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