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This is a stop on our self-guided tour is designed to be followed along with a physical version of the map available at the Kamloops Museum and Archives or simply enjoy the information below. View all tour stops.
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Tuesday - Saturday: 9:30am - 4:30pm
Sunday & Monday: Closed -
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Tuesday - Friday: 1:15pm - 4:00pm
Saturday: By Appointment
Sunday & Monday: Closed
The Old Bank of Commerce
Edwardian Baroque ‘temple’ design | Stop #13
Table of Contents
Related Archives Material
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An Architectural Statement
Built in 1904, the Old Bank of Commerce stands as one of Kamloops’ most architecturally refined early buildings. With its Edwardian Baroque style and stately “temple” design, the building was meant to symbolize civic pride, progress, and stability, all qualities that helped build public trust in the growing banking system of the early 20th century.
The structure was designed by Toronto architects Frank Darling and John Andrew Pearson, a renowned team responsible for nearly a thousand bank buildings across Canada. From grand urban headquarters to simple wooden outposts, their designs helped shape the face of Canadian banking. The Kamloops branch, with its sophisticated Classical Revival influence, is a standout example of their work in Western Canada.
More information about this site will be added as research continues. If you have questions, comments, or stories to share, feel free to contact the Kamloops Museum and Archives at [email protected] or call 250-828-3576. Our team will make sure your message gets to the right place.
Craftsmanship and Local Materials
Every detail of the building speaks to quality and intention. The front façade is clad in dressed stone and locally manufactured Kamloops red brick, produced at the Mission Flats brick factory. Brickwork and masonry were completed by Johnston and Gill, well-regarded local contractors. At the same time, the building’s elegant interior, including a marble floor in the banking hall, was finished by Robert Mackay.
The level of craftsmanship throughout, both inside and out, reflects the importance of the bank within the city and its role as a symbol of security and permanence.
Banking Comes to Kamloops
This building marks an important moment in the history of banking in Kamloops. The city’s first bank, the Bank of British Columbia, opened in 1887 in a wooden structure at Victoria Street and First Avenue. After the Canadian Bank of Commerce acquired it in 1900, it operated from the original site until this new building was completed in 1904.
The Bank of Commerce remained here until 1924, and the building continued to serve important civic purposes in the years that followed, including a stint as Kamloops City Hall between 1953 and 1964.
More than just a bank, this building represents Kamloops’ evolution from frontier town to regional economic hub. With the arrival of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885, the city experienced rapid growth. Trade in fur, gold, and cattle expanded to include manufacturing, shipping, and financial services. Between 1885 and 1905, Kamloops’ population increased fivefold, a growth that required strong institutions to support it.
In response to this demand, the bank expanded in 1912 with additions to the rear and the eastern side. These changes reflected Kamloops’ rising profile in the region and the growing need for professional and financial services.
Photos From The Archive
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