Doc captures city’s golden era

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This article was published 09/11/2015 (3799 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Grand festivals, booming industry and big-city architecture — the first decade of the 20th century was an exciting time for Brandon.

Local historian Tom Mitchell has captured the city’s “golden era” in his newest historical documentary, “Wheat City 1900s — Making Modern Brandon.”

“‘Wheat City 1900s’ deals with this seminal period in Brandon’s history,” Mitchell said. “I think it’s a pretty important little documentary … (especially) for anybody that’s interested in this stuff.”

The 68-minute-long film takes a close look the city’s development between 1900 and 1913, which is when the majority of Brandon’s important historical figures were making their mark and the majority of the city’s heritage buildings were erected.

Wheat City 1900s is a mixture of never-before-seen archival photographs from public and private collections as well as shots of current-day Brandon.

“It really is the richest period of the city in terms of photographic records, so it was wonderful to work with,” Mitchell said, adding that the research and archival work took nearly eight months to complete.

Mitchell provides historical commentary throughout the film and the voice-over work was done by a cast of local residents.

The film’s score was composed and arranged by local composer Kenneth Nicols and the musicians include staff and students from Brandon University’s School of Music.

Broken up into 10 parts, the doc looks at the legacies of Clifford Sifton, Brandon’s then-MP who is known for promoting immigration in Western Canada; Samuel James McKee, a founding member of Brandon College; and Jessie Turnbull, a feminist and major player in the city’s women’s suffrage movement, among other notable characters.

During his research, Mitchell says he discovered the genius of Albert E. McKenzie, who, in recognizing the power of residential consumers, changed the course of his father’s seed business.

“He jettisoned that old business model and created a seed-house that marketed … to ordinary homeowners,” Mitchell said. “He grew the business from 2,000 clients to 50,000 within about five years.”

While Brandon has a lot to be proud of during that period decade, Mitchell didn’t shy away from the city’s less-dignified moments.

The film looks at one of the city’s best-known architects, William Alexander Elliott — who may have exaggerated his education credentials — as well as the banning of Sioux Valley Dakota performers from the annual summer fair and the city’s numerous east end brothels.

“If the names of Brandon men who were patronizing east end brothels were made public, there would be divorces across the city,” Mitchell said, quoting a 1905 Brandon Sun article on the issue. “Oh it was a scandal!”

“Wheat City 1900s” is the third historical documentary Mitchell has produced for MTS On Demand’s Stories From Home series — an initiative that provides funding for made-in-Manitoba programs that are aired on MTS TV.

“It’s quite a learning curve to do this kind of stuff,” Mitchell said. “I think we’re starting to get our act together and I’m pretty happy with this one.”

Wheat City 1900s premieres at Brandon University’s Evans Theatre on Nov. 19 at 7:30 p.m. Admission is by donation.

» ewasney@brandonsun.com

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