The hotels and boarding houses were virtually the first buildings in Ladysmith. These two were dismantled at Extension and re-assembled on The Esplanade. Actually in a lot of instances this would be the second rebuilding as a good number of buildings started at Wellington, were moved or re-assembled at Extension and then redone all over again in Ladysmith.

These two two structures were taken down to make room for what is now the City Hall and Petro Can station. They were located at opposite ends of the block. When the Abbotsford was taken down there was a park there before the station.

This building is one of the first of the original old buildings still standing. It's location on Esplanade is next to the location of the Grand Hotel, and was actually built by the owner of the hotel. W. Power's barber shop and public bathrooms were the first use. It eventually became the location of the telephone exchange, but just before that it was the location of Percy Winch's Cigar Factory. It is pretty well in original condition, including the small building next to it where private phone calls could be made.

The first City Hall on this location was the original old Grand Hotel. In 1917, 3 years after Ladysmith was incorporated the Town took over the building. They got it for $600 in back taxes. At that time the Police Department, Library and Baby Clinic were also in the building. In 1951 the old building was demolished. The present City Hall was opened in 1952

In 1900 the Stern's Hotel was on this site. It was demolished in 1904 and in 1908 the present building was opened on this site. It is interesting to note that the total cost of construction was $45,000. Making it possibly the most expensive building of the time. The Customs department closed in 1932 and the Post Office closed in 1961. The present use of the building has resulted in apartments on the second floor, but the main floor and basement have remained virtually unchanged.

This building is on the location of the Montgomery Hotel (originally named the Frank Hotel). The Montgomery was renamed the Ross Hotel and was also the location of Comley's stables. The Ross Hotel burned down in 1967.

The vacant lot next to the Chinese Restaurant was the location of Gardiner's Store.  It was also Lee's Grocery and the Ladysmith Bakery. Unfortunately it was ultimately condemned and taken down in the 1990's. But it did soldier on for many years. It is the building at the far left in the description for the Chinese Restaurant immediately above.

Originally the Globe Hotel, it was brought down from Extension.This building was probably the last and southern most building on Esplanade. It is presently the Bayview Apartments. A row of buildings up Methuen Street housed the black community.

Located across Esplanade from the Extension Hotel. Nothing remains of the site today. Original plans called for the plant to by Hydro Electric but it was built as a coal fired steam plant. Opened in 1910 it served Ladysmith until service was eventually purchased from the newly formed Nanaimo Electric Light, Power and Heating Company (later taken over by BC Hydro). Dismantled in 1942 it was sold for $4000 as scrap.

The original station was a rather elaborate two story building. The railway was the primary means of transportation until the arrival of the automobile. Even after that the Island Highway was interrupted by the Malahat. Once the road over the Malahat was built the importance of the railway, and its revenue, rapidly declined.

Built around 1943 it had facilities to repair the companies extensive fleet of trucks and trains. It still remains today and is used for a variety of functions, including an art gallery.

The building is long gone, but in it's time it was a very impressive building. Designed to look like a modern residence it was the original site of George's Restaurant when the company moved out. It was directly across Esplanade from the present City Hall

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The Ladysmith Bakery on Esplanade was one of the few Chinese stores in early Ladysmith. Hop Lee brought his family from Extension and ran a very successful business, not just as a merchant but also as a Labour Contractor. The building was demolished .

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The Canadian Collieries Paymaster's Office exists today but it has been altered considerably. The road has been raised and the front porch has been removed.

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Built in 1905 by John Stewart. He was the first manager of the Commerce Bank, a prominent realtor, insurance agent and notary. With the exception of an addition at the back the building is almost exactly as built

This building has changed very little since its original construction. It was probably the first office for John Stewart in 1903. Since then it was a taxi dispatch office, a millinery shop and tattoo parlour.

Originally erected as the International Order of Odd Fellows hall it was a two story building built by Donald Nicholson, a local contractor. The hall was on the upper floor and the lower floor was a retail establishment. Converted to a hall for social events it housed the Anglican Church for a while. It was converted to the Opera House and later became Kent's Hardware. Kent's Hardware burned down in1932. It was a civic square for a number of years until the Telephone Company relocated here.

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In 1902 the building was the site of a butcher shop. W. Morrison converted that to a grocery store on one side and a men and boy's clothing store on the other. For a brief spell in the 30's it was a garage. The present Chronicle located here in 1908. The restaurant is a recent addition and has done considerable renovation including the outdoor patio.

Nothing remains to show the damage this house sustained during the Miner's Strike and riots of 1913. Was known as the McKinnon residence

Built in 1914 it is an example of the style of buildings in the town at that time.

Known as the Hall Building it was built in 1909

This was the site of Robert's Meat Market. In 1906 the Cecil Hotel was built on this site. Other than having an impressive bar it was never a busy hotel. W.W. Walkem eventually bought it and converted the top floor to suites to house Comox Logging workers. Renamed The Seaview Apartments it had a few retail shops on the ground floor. The building was demolished to build the Credit Union.

On the corner of Roberts and First Avenue it started off as 3 buildings. The first Liquor Store was here. Cavin's Shoe Store, Key's Furniture and Nellie's Furniture were also here. In 1986 the building was purchased by Martin Koorn and renamed the Koorn Building.

The building was originally known as "The Nicholson Cottage". Except for a new front it is virtually unchanged today.

A rather interesting building with a very plain front. It started its life as the Ladysmith Hotel. Built by Annie Stephens it was situated on the present site of the Traveler's Hotel across the street. Moved across the street to its present location it was not turned, but opened up at the back which is now on First. It is possible to see renovation from the alley where windows have been boarded up and stairs removed.

This building is actually just a facade. It was built to fill a whole in the street buildings for the movie Big Bully (a number of buildings have been used for various movies). It is now rented as an advertising window.

Built in 1900 it has had extensive renovations in 1997 to conform to the Heritage theme.

Built in 1904 by Misers. Ward and Southin it was once known as the Carlyle Block. It has been a dry goods shop since it was built. The second floor was the first location of the telephone exchange. Jack and Mary Rogers founded the Ladysmith Trading Company in 1931 and it has been a family business ever since.  Sadly the Rogers family have retired and the establishment has just been closed.

Mrs. Anne Stevens originally owned all the property from High Street to Roberts Street. John Ryan built the present building in 1921 and named it the Ryan Block. It is particularly stunning with leaded glass windows on the second floor and two types of brick work facing the alley

Sadly this building has remained vacant for a number of years. Built in 1913 when the Ladysmith Hotel was moved across the street. It has stirred considerable controversy over the years over the use of an ancient Sanskrit symbol used on the front. Hitler mirror imaged the symbol which eventually became the Nazi Swastika. The upper floor windows are leaded glass. Presently the alley beside this building has been blocked off as brickwork is starting to fall off the side.

Presently occupied by retail stores. Built in 1909 it has been a retail store like most buildings on First Avenue.

Donald Nicholson owned the building for a number of years from 1909. In 1912 it was the site of the Miner's Union Hall (upstairs). Here is where the strike against Robert Dunsmuir's mines began. The strike lasted till 1914 when the end was legislated. The Wigwam has been in continuous operation here for over 40 years.

Original hotel was the Europe Hotel.  One of the first hotels built in Ladysmith.  It is now the Island Hotel.  It is relatively unchanged. The biggest difference is the fron stairs.  As the streets were gradually raised the porch has been changed.

The original building was erected in 1909. Demolished and rebuilt in its present form in 1922. Offices were on the second floor. It was also the site of Verchere's Dentistry. Like a lot of building on First Avenue it also has leaded glass windows on the upper floor.

Built in 1909 this building has the distinction of being the first building renovated to the new Heritage Revitalization program in 1985.

Built in 1945 it was the site of Walter Brownlow's hardware store. Affectionately known as "Uncle Walter" he was a character of note for many years until his death. It is now a kitchen supply store and gallery. It is sometimes known as The Brownlow Building.

Build in 1901 it was the home of Johnson's Shoes. Before that it appears to have been a Dress Shop, shoe repair, restaurant and Candy Store.  This building and the two following have had a long history of various establishments. The Johnson family lived upstairs for many years. It is now the home of Island Homes Realty.

This building and two on both sides were built to the same design as the original Phone Exchange (Olde Parlour) and Pizza On The Go. They were built between 1901 and 1909 .  The 3 buildings (including the one following) formed part of the Miles Brother's Block.  They  used to contain a fish shop and a couple of butcher shops. Slaughtering was also done behind the store. 

This building is part of what is known as the Miles Brothers Block and forms the northern boundary of the official Heritage District. Along with the building above there was a long succession of retail stores.  Forrester's Hat Shop moved here at one time. 

The original bank was built on this corner in 1910 and was a magnificent structure with majestic columns and portico. It was built from a prefabricated design used in many cities and towns in Canada. The original bank was dismantled in 1971 when the present bank was built. At the time the Chronicle cited the building as setting the standard for all buildings in Ladysmith. Bill Verchere's grandfather was the second manager of the original Commerce Bank.

Four businesses form part of what is known as the Emery Block, named after the owner Mary Emery. In 1998 when the original bookstore moved to this location it is remembered that a human book chain was formed and the entire store was moved down the street much like a fire brigade fighting a fire.

Though not a Heritage building it is on the site of Knight's Hardware Store. The original clock from the store is restored and in front of the Video Store. When the hardware store burned down the corner sat vacant for a number of years till the Royal Bank built there.

Brought from Wellington in 1894 by St. John's Masonic Lodge. The upper floor was the lodge hall. The first school taught by Miss Fanny Uren was here. Downstairs was the Novelty Theater. Wooden building was destroyed by fire in 1912, rebuilt in brick in 1913. The lower floor has been a Jeweler's. the Chamber of Commerce and now a printing firm.

Originally the Miner's Hotel in Wellington it was moved to this site and renamed the Jones Hotel in 1900 by Ludwick Jones. It was the site of our own gold rush, caused by Jones discarding some scrapings from a mirror he was reguilding. It closed the 30's. For a time was Order of Foresters and Eagles. Bought in 1972 it is now a privately owned museum.

Also not a Heritage building. Near the original site of Simon Leiser's general store. It was the location of the telephone exchange for a period of time

This building is Jessup's Drug Store. In 1902 Mr. Jessup started the first library here. Many stores line both sides of High Street but this is one of the few remaining.

This building was brought from Wellington in the 1900 and housed the strike breakers in the 1912-1914 strike. It was so named as it was the only hotel in Ladysmith that did not serve alcohol. In the 1918-1919 Influenza Epidemic it was converted to a hospital. Interesting aside is the fact that it is the headquarters of the Sam Guthrie Club. Sam was one of the original miners convicted during the strike. It was briefly renamed the Brownlow Block when "Uncle Walter" Brownlow owned it. It has since been renamed.

Constructed in 1945 The Legion celebrated its 80th anniversary in 2006. The Legion, and Lee's Goldsmith's are pivotal in the 1985/1986 Heritage Revitalization Project.

In the mid 1930's this building was the Rio Theatre. Then Cross's Furniture and an Odeon Theatre. It is now an apartment block.

Originally built as the Rummings Brothers Soda Water Manufacturing plant. Built in1902 it has also housed Ladysmith Linen Supply and Laundry. The original Rummings bottles were left under the new concrete floor when the laundry moved in.

Original building on this site was built in 1901 by Canadian Collieries as a newspaper business. In 1908 the Chronicle operated from the building. In 1932 The Native Sons & Daughters bought the site. They sold it to the Eagles in 1994. Major structural changes have made it the building it is today.

In 1906 the ground was leased and became the property of the Agricultural Society. Named the Agriculture Grounds the building was started in 1922. It was damaged in 1966 by an earthquake and closed till 1999. From 1998 to 1991 extensive renovations have resulted in the building we see today.

These 3 cottages are examples of the miner's accommodations of the day. There is a barrack type building which used to have individual doors to single rooms and two family cottages. The doors to the dormitory (for single men) have been removed and the openings stuccoed over.

The building was moved to this location. Rebuilt in this location by Mr Davis around 1900 it was known as The Western. Extensive renovations have been undertaken to restore it to its 1913 grandeur. When the false ceiling in the pub was removed it was discovered that the original embossed ceiling was still intact.

In the early 1900's this was the site of John Bickle's general store. The present building was erected in the 1960's to replace the outgrown old post office building. A cairn in front commemorates Ladysmith becoming a town.

Originally built in 1909 as a Convent School by the Sisters of St. Anne. Then operated by the Sisters of St. Joseph's and the Sisters of Halifax. In 1970 it was converted to an apartment block.