Heritage in the Hat: Brown’s honour

By Sally Sehn on January 11, 2020.

A recent “Heritage in the Hat” topic focused on the historic First Street home of D.W. Brown. David Brown was not the only member of his P.E.I. born family to reside in Medicine Hat. David and his younger brother Mervyn were the first Browns to arrive in 1906. They were soon joined by older brothers Herbert and George Brown. Initially, all were involved in real estate. David, Herbert and George formed Brown Bros. Real Estate. Mervyn established a general store known as Brown’s Limited and eased out of the real estate market.

In 1912, the same year his brother David built the grand First Street SW home, Mervyn also built a fine Arts and Crafts home at 936 Toronto St., today 76 Third St. SW. Architecturally, this home is asymmetrical in design, has a steep cross gable roof with a bracketed eave and decorative wood detailing in the gable end. The original windows featured several smaller upper sashes over one lower sash. Its large front verandah, now closed in, is bordered by cylindrical white wooden pillars. The residence was built by Marshall and Bates, the architect was , Stanley Riddle.

Brown was an Alderman at the time his house was being built. He served in 1911, 1912, and 1914. He was elected Mayor for 1918, 1919 and 1920. While mayor, he was active in promoting industry to the city, recruiting large companies such as Maple Leaf Mills.

After his last term of Mayor, Mervyn moved to Winnipeg, and became VP of the Western Canada Colonization Association, an organization set up to encourage immigration to the prairie provinces. His next move was to London, England where he lived for 14 years working with British businessmen involved in Canadian enterprises and became President of Alberta Hard Coals Ltd. a company which owned extensive coal deposits in Alberta. He developed a national coal policy to help Canada become less dependent on American coal.

After a few years in Toronto, Brown moved to Washington D.C. and worked to establish the Statesmanship Foundation which would prepare promising young men for future political careers. Brown died in Washington in 1955 at the age of 71. He had been gone from Medicine Hat for 35 years.

Mervyn Brown’s move to Medicine Hat had a profound impact on his life. In a strong gesture of his fondness for the city, Mervyn Brown’s ashes were returned by his widow and are buried at Hillside Cemetery. Brown’s residence was later long occupied by Jessop Nott, an undertaker in the city.

In the past, the city has recognized former mayors by naming a street after them. Three-time Mayor Mervyn Brown is a candidate for this honour.

Sally Sehn is a Member of the Heritage Resources Committee of the City of Medicine Hat.