Great Western Saddlery Building

10137 104 Street, Edmonton T5J 0Z9

In 1894, E.F.Hutchings took over a harness business started by H.A. Finch in 1886, forming the Edmonton Saddlery Company. In 1900 this company was absorbed by the Winnipeg-based Great West Saddlery Company. The company was growing quickly with the settlement of the west. In response to that growth, Great West Saddlery built this 45,000 square foot wholesale warehouse in 1911. It was designed by local architect Edward C. Hopkins and constructed at a cost of $100,000.

From this location the Great West Saddlery Company employed 30 people. It supplied customers throughout central and northern Alberta with its “Horse Shoe Brand” of leather products including baggage, belts, oiled clothing, saddles, gloves and mackinaw jackets. By 1918 it was the largest saddlery company in the world.

This building stands as a classic reminder of Edmonton’s rapid commercial development before the First World War.

- Edmonton Historical Board