About the Historic Strathcona

Built for the Walkerville Land & Building Co. in 1907, the Strathcona Building on Wyandotte at Devonshire was known as "the new Walker block". In April 1907, two established businesses moved in — F. J. Miller, the druggist, and R.A. Holland, the dry-goods merchant, both from the Crown Inn (still standing in the 300 block of Devonshire Road). The Walkerville Hardware Co. occupied a large part of the main floor, and the second floor was devoted to the Walkerville Public Library until 1922.

The two-story brick building with timber-framed oriel windows is notable for its low profile, accented with decorative gables. The street entrances have cut stone surrounds.

It is the only building of its type in Walkerville, designed by eminent American architect Albert Kahn. The original safe remains in the building and has been retrofitted to accommodate ICON’s database which can be safely locked up as required. ICON plans to renovate the facade of the building at some point in the future.

To learn more about Albert Kahn’s influence on Walkerville, click here.