A building in southern Alberta has been designated as a Provincial Historic Resource.
The provincial government says the Dr. McMillan Residence in Claresholm has received the mark in honour of its role in Alberta’s early-20th century health care system.
The residence was built in 1916, and is noted for its dual-purpose design, as it functioned as both a home and medical office. The building featured an operating room and x-ray machines, and for over two decades, the site was occupied by three successive doctors.
The one-and-a-half-story layout allowed the medical practice area to be separated from the domestic living space.
“The Dr. McMillan Residence played a key role in the health of many Albertans in the early 20th century,” says Minister of Arts, Culture and Status of Women Tanya Fir.
“Its designation as a Provincial Historic Resource ensures its legacy will live on, allowing Albertans to recognize, honour and celebrate its place in Alberta’s rich medical history.”
In the mid-20th century, the province saw a major shift in how health care was delivered as doctors moved away from home visits in favour of dedicated office-based practices.
“This house and its past have allowed us to connect with the local history of Claresholm, and engage with and build relationships in the community,” says Robert and Britny Robertson, owners of the Dr. McMillan Residence.
“We want to be stewards of the Dr. McMillan [Residence] and make sure it continues to tell the story of Alberta’s history and that of the local community. This designation ensures that future.”
More on the Dr. McMillan Residence is available through the Heritage Resources Management Information System.
