Murphy Block
29 Main Street
Carberry

Designation Date:  June 12, 2007
Designation Authority:  Town of Carberry
Present Owner:  Privately Owned

The Murphy Block, a solid, serviceable building built in 1886, is one of Carberry’s oldest business facilities, noted especially for the integrity of its early wood-and-glass storefront, a simple representation of a once-common type of commercial design, and for its association with some of the town’s pioneer entrepreneurs. The modest-sized brick block, one of two adjacent outlets complementary in type, form and original exterior finishes built prior to 1900 by merchant Joseph R. Thompson, occupies a vital mid-row site on a signature streetscape in the designated Historic Downtown Carberry district. Through a succession of owners and occupants, including prominent Manitoba grain and livestock dealer G.B. Murphy, retailer and rancher W.G. Murphy and hardware merchants Richard Wilkie and Errol Berry, the structure has remained a local fixture, serving as a source of essential goods and services for the town and surrounding agricultural community.