Heritage in the Hat: Marshall Terrace a legacy of Hat’s first mayor
By Medicine Hat News on August 25, 2018.
Medicine Hat is lucky to have a very intact early example of a terrace house, which is rare in Alberta. A precursor to apartment blocks, terrace houses were an inventive way to meet the growing demand for housing during Medicine Hat’s Edwardian economic boom. A terrace house is a medium density housing style that goes back to 16th century Europe and is typically a series of identical units joined by side walls, now commonly called a townhouse. Marshall Terrace was built in 1908 by local contractor M.C. Sackrider for real estate entrepreneur William Bradley Marshall. Born in 1864 in Dufferin County, Ont., Marshall was one of many settlers who travelled west to take advantage of available land publicized by Medicine Hat’s early boosters. He established a ranch 40 kilometres south of Medicine Hat, where he worked as a stock dealer and set up a butcher shop. The lines of the building typify the Classical Revival-style, rooted in classical Greek and Roman architecture. Marshall Terrace characterizes this style through its simple exterior, progressive step arrangement of the six units into pairs, balanced and functional plan, straight rooflines, and regular fenestration. Its wirecut common red brick exterior accented with corner quoining and a corbelled brick cornice sits on a rough, cobblestone foundation. Each pair of units possesses a hipped-roof verandah. Many of the early residents worked for the CPR, whose rail yards and roundhouse were situated just east down the hill. W.B. Marshall was also the first mayor of Medicine Hat. In November of 1898, when Medicine Hat was incorporated as a town, Marshall was elected by acclamation and served a one-year term. However, his wife Eliza died in 1900, age 34, which may explain why he did not stay in the mayor’s role. Four children all died young as well. In 1900, along with H.C. Yuill and later John McNeely, Marshall was instrumental in establishing the first mill in Medicine Hat. In 1901, Marshall purpose built the Marshall and Hunter Block, from which he operated the Marshall and Hunter Hardware Company for 16 years with his brother-in-law, H. A. Hunter. The upper two floors of the building contained the Marshall & Hunter Opera House, which served as an entertainment centre for early Medicine Hat. He continued in property development, including construction of the Dominion Block (1902), purchase of the Alberta Hotel (1906), construction of Marshall Terrace (1908), as well as building multiple residences. Marshall was also the largest stockholder at the formation of the Medicine Hat News. Later, he was part of the group that built the iron rolling mills at Redcliff. In addition to being a successful businessman and developer, Marshall also served on the Board of Trade, as president of the Agricultural Society. When interviewed in Toronto while on a business trip, he extolled the virtues of Medicine Hat including cheap gas and coal and the temperature, 70 degrees Fahrenheit on that January day! A sportsman, he was largely responsible for the formation and maintenance of the local lacrosse team and was active in curling. William B. Marshall lived in Medicine Hat until his death in 1920. Marshall Terrace continues to overlook the river valley 110 years later. Malcolm Sissons is the chair of the Heritage Resources Committee. 9-8
