Historic News Block in Medicine Hat, Alberta

Constructed in 1903, the News Block derives its name from originally housing the newspaper offices of the Medicine Hat News on 2nd Street in downtown Medicine Hat, Alberta. The newspaper was only here for a decade before it moved to a new building in 1914, a now demolished structure located where the current city hall stands. This 2nd Street space has recently been occupied by the new secondhand bookstore, The Page and Whisker.

I first photographed the News Block as an abandoned location back in 2013 for my hometown exploration series, Around the Hat. At the time there were still traces of the former tenant, Tramps Comics & Games, despite the News Block having already been vacant for more than a decade back in 2013. The Page and Whisker is the first business in years to not just move in, but to also bring some new character to this unique downtown space. 

Here are few new images I captured of the News Block / Page and Whisker to contrast against the remnants of the former abandoned Tramps space that I was originally introduced to. Expanding on the success of my documentary short, On 2nd I'm pleased to see the story of 2nd street continuing to evolve. I wish Page and Whisker all the best in this beautiful historic location.

Abandoned space in 2013.

Page and Whisker in 2020.

Exploring the former Tramps space in 2013.

Stacks of comics left by Tramps back in 2013.

Inside the new Page and Whisker bookstore in 2020.

The empty space in 2013.

Abandoned space in 2013.

Sunnyside. A novel about Charlie Chaplin I bought at the new bookstore.

The News Block in Medicine Hat, Alberta as it looked around 1912.

Inside the new Page and Whisker bookstore in 2020.