Across 100th Street from Kerr’s Cleaners and north of Milbanke Flowers across the adjacent parking lot stands a 112-year-old building. It was constructed in 1906.
The building has a unique history. First, it has housed a huge number of businesses over the years, and secondly and more intriguing, the top floor acquired the name The Bucket of Blood. How so?
Well, the top floor used to be a dance hall. During the years 1941 to 1943, the United Kingdom leased the North Battleford airport to train British pilots to take on Hitler’s Luftwaffe in the European theatre of World War Two. It was called the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. All of the pilots were invariably handsome, courageous, and daredevils. They would fly under the Battlefords steel bridge for example. At least 35 pilots lost their lives in training exercises. A Tiger Moth plane can still be seen under the water at Rock Island on Jackfish Lake. I digress.
The local girls were absolutely struck by these warriors of the sky. And apparently, so were their mothers who would arrange parties for their daughters and their handsome men. Dances were held on a regular basis on the top floor of the building at 1157-100th Street). Of course, one can imagine that the local boys were extremely jealous of their girlfriends’ new found beaus. Many fights broke out and a lot of blood was spilled. Hence the name, Bucket of Blood.
The building is currently owned by Lyle Meckling. Lyle’s dad ran Meckling’s Delivery for many years, since 1945. Lyle’s dad passed away in 1983; Lyle took over the business and some years later sold it. Lyle and partners Alex Wick and Glen Richardson bought the building 25 years ago, in 1993. Lyle bought his partners out last year so he is the sole owner.
Lyle has done a wonderful job of renovating the entire building. The building currently houses a children’s clothing store – My Trendz Clothing – which is owned and managed by Lyle’s daughter, Sheena. The top floor, which used to be a dance hall, was converted into a 1,000-square-foot suite which is rented out. The dance hall was 1,000 square feet as well, as is the store below.
It’s anybody’s guess as to how many businesses and agencies were located in the building since 1906. Apparently, the first business was a paint shop. Some of the more recent ones include: My Trendz, The Rock Shop, a lingerie store, Pro Sound Music, Enviro Janitorial, and a doctor’s office. In addition, Lambert Tire leased the entire building back in the 1960s. You can still see the oak beam in the back that was used to hoist heavy tractor tires into position.
Lyle gave me a tour of the entire building. As I mentioned, I was impressed with the quality of the work that Lyle had invested in the building. The original boilers were still there in the basement as were the original stairs up to the main floor, and of course the original concrete walls were intact. On the main floor, Lyle moved some ceiling tiles so I could see the original sculptured metal tiles – still there after a hundred years. The final tour was upstairs. The suite was comfortable with the addition of a bay window overlooking 100th Street.
So this was the famed Bucket of Blood. I sincerely hope the main floor and the upstairs suite of this storied building will continue to be occupied and the building preserved as a heritage site.
