Housed on 11, Banff Avenue, the Harmony Lane Mall recounts a glorious past which dates back to 1908.
Founded by Byron Harmon, a professional photographer who arrived in Banff in 1903, the mall was originally designed as a movie theatre, which was gutted by a fire in 1917. Reconstructed in the very same year, the building was rebuilt in the classic Tudor style, with half timbering on its gables and the unusual entry pillars which were constructed of river stones. The building houses an impressive collection of over 6,500 photographs by Byron Harmon, his son Don and his granddaughter Carol. From fine art wilderness to historical black and white and even contemporary color photographs, the array of photography on display is nothing short of astounding. The collection dates back to 1903 and travels through three generations of the Harmon Family.
The building has been home to curio shop, a photo studio, a bookstore and even a beauty parlor in its lifespan of almost a century. It is also remembered as the first structure to boast of Banff's gas lighting, ice-cream machine, neon sign and one of Western Canada's first postcard machines.
The historic building is still under the ownership of the Harmon family. When in Banff, be sure to stop by at the Harmony Lane Mall for an unforgettable walk down history lane and also to marvel at some of Canada's finest photography. For further information, you can also call them at (403) 762-9417. The online collection of some of the works on display here can be viewed at http://www.harmonphotography.com .
The Harmony Lane Mall
111 Banff Avenue,
Banff, AB
