Galpin Block
1017-1021 Government Street
Date of construction: 1884
Architects: Harris and Hargreaves
This was the first in a series of commercial buildings erected in the
City for London-based publisher Thomas Dixon Galpin, partner in the
firm of Cassell, Petter and Galpin, the largest publishing house in
England at the time.
The ground floor contained Pennock & Clayton Jewellers from
1890-1895 and Challoner & Mitchell from 1895-1914. The second floor
was home of the Alexandra Club from 1900 to 1911. In 1912, the owner of
the adjacent Brown Jug Saloon took over this building known then as the
Albion Hotel to comply with the new liquor act and named the complex
the Brown Jug Hotel.
In 1907, the tenants were John R. Mackie - engraver and Challoner and Mitchell - jewellers, with the Alexandra Club upstairs.
One long-time tenant is the Irish Linen Store, first established in
Victoria in 1910 by Scotsman John Norrie. The store moved around
downtown until moving here in 1917. It has been here ever since.
The other half of the main floor is occupied by Jock and Jill, a sports clothing outlet, with government offices upstairs.
This Hallmark Society project has been funded by the HBC Foundation and the BC150-Heritage Legacy Fund.
Project manager and researcher: Helen Edwards.
Principal Photography & Consultant:
Ron Bukta, West Ventures Photography.