Description of Historic Place

The Provincial Government Mine Rescue Station is a one-storey utilitarian building located in one of Nanaimo's oldest neighbourhoods. The historic place is confined to the building footprint.

Heritage Value

The Provincial Government Mine Rescue Station is exceptionally important as a rare, direct link to Nanaimo's coal mining industry, the most important economic activity for almost 100 years. Nanaimo's coal mines were among the most dangerous in the world with over 2000 injuries and fatalities recorded during the coal mining era. During this period, from the early 1850s to the early 1950s, the threat of mining disasters was always present and mining conditions were the source of repeated labour conflicts and community disruptions. Although accidents could never be completely prevented, Mine Rescue Station operations did much to improve the situation by providing practical training and communicating provincial-level commitment to the community.

The Provincial Government Mine Rescue Station's value resides in its location in one of the city's oldest mixed-use neighbourhoods, adjacent to the former site of one of the largest coal mining complexes in British Columbia history, residences, stores and to the industrial waterfront.

Built in 1913, the Provincial Government Mine Rescue Station is a good example of a vernacular, utilitarian building and one of the oldest known local uses of corrugated iron cladding.

Source: City of Nanaimo, Development Services Department, file #6800-20-H01-02/1009 Farquhar Street

Character-Defining Elements

-all of the elements of the original vernacular design including the simple form and massing, the corrugated iron sheeting, the scroll-cut column capitals, the half timbering in front gable end, the inset front corner porch, and the signage in the front gable end.

-the location in an early mixed residential-industrial neighbourhood, adjacent to the industrial waterfront.