The Mitchell Block

The Mitchell Block was built in 1886-87 at 173 McDermot Avenue in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. The three-storey structure was built for the W. J. Mitchell Drug Company and was completely modern for its time, having hot and cold running water and steam heat. At the time of its erection, the building had decorative motifs that did not stand the test of time. The architect, Arthur T. Timewall, included a mortar and pestle above the doorway, and an ornamental scroll was engraved along the roofline, giving it a distinction among the other buildings. The warehouse was described as one of the most handsome buildings in the country at the time.

Mitchell's most popular products were cough syrup, wild cherry and spruce gum, camphorated eye water, Mitchell’s Botanic Bitters, Mitchell’s Liver Pills, Mitchell’s Carbolic Cerate, Urquhart’s Worm Specific, Prairie Pain Relief and Prairie Condition Powders. The second floor of the building was known as the "wet and dry department" and was where the laboratory would mix the preparations. The third floor was reserved for the glass bottles and tinctures and the basement was where the chemicals were kept. The The Mitchell Drug Company sold its products across the prairies and was the only wholesale chemist based in the northwest.