The Faces, Florals, and Shields of the Whalen Building

The Whalen Building has been iconic to Thunder Bay since it was built in 1913. What is perhaps most intriguing about this heritage property, located at 34 Cumberland Street North, isn’t that it was the city’s first skyscraper, or the story of the build itself. It is the faces, floral patterns and shields that adorn the building, and the ambiguity of what they represent.

Upon closer inspection of the well-known structure, the intricate terra cotta details throughout are what make it so fascinating. There are varying viewpoints when it comes to what these adornments mean, and why they were used.

It was widely believed the architects, Montreal’s Brown and Vallance, meant these embellishments to proclaim our connection to the British Empire. Upon further consideration, this might make sense. Floral patterns are found throughout, including the curved arches of what were once the entranceways, and below the second-floor string course. Other plants include the maple leaf of Canada, but also thistles, oak leaves, and roses—all symbols of the United Kingdom. Shields with the nine provincial coats of arms (such as they numbered in 1913) are significantly topped by a crown. There are more shields of various sizes, some held by heads and others by lions. Many of these shields are blank, perhaps representing an unwritten future between the two countries.

Another intriguing detail is the eight faces that repeat on the east, west, and south sides. Shown in pairs, these are commonly known as “Uncle Sam,” “The Scandinavian,” “The Dutchman,” “The Frenchman,” “The Englishman,” “The Scot,” “The Irishman,” and “Eve or Ceres,” based on the carved detail. With the absence of names, locals had taken to calling them “the people who settled Canada.” This could again be a nod to the British Empire, until you look more closely at the architects’ previous works. And thus comes the other viewpoint.

While these types of adornments were unusual on our city’s properties at the time, Brown and Vallance had become known for including them. The Southam Building in Calgary, designed by the duo in 1912, also showcased eight faces, and were named for newspaper people (“The Editor,” “The Typesetter,” etc.). In that case, the christening was deliberate, as the building became the quarters for the Calgary Daily Herald. One must wonder, then, if it was a coincidence they included the face of Ceres— known as the Greek goddess of agriculture and grain crops—on the Whalen building, when N.M. Paterson and Co., grain brokers, was listed as a tenant in 1915. Canada Life Assurance Co., whose corporate symbol was a pelican, was also a tenant, and that bird too, adorns the building. It might not be implausible then to believe that these design details were deliberate.

Whatever the intent, it is indisputable that the Whalen building has left an indelible mark on our city’s skyline. Next time you are in the area, why not take a closer look to see which viewpoint you agree with.

Jennifer Bonazzo is a member of the Heritage Advisory Committee, which advises city council on the conservation of heritage buildings, sites, and resources, and their integration into development. For more information on the city’s heritage resources, visit thunderbay.ca.