Discussions

I believe Brandon taxi history began with livery stables back in the 1800s. About ten years ago I was researching Winnipeg cab history and I'm sure I saw two photos of a Brandon livery stable (Drever's?) circa 1914 in Gas Power Age, a very interesting magazine published by the Manitoba auto trade between 1910 and 1914 (a run of GPA issues is held by the Legislative Library in Winnipeg). In one photo a horse cab was parked out front and in the other a new car. I just looked through my old notes and, sorry, I don't have a page or date. I could kick myself when this happens. You'll likely find cab ads in old Henderson's Directories up to the 1930s but I found that Henderson's Winnipeg Directory dropped classified listings for taxis about 1935, probably because the companies didn't advertise in the HD, they advertised in the telephone book. I'm glad to hear Bourbonman and others are taking an interest in Brandon taxi history. Taxis are such an essential part of the urban scene but their history is sadly negelected. Hopefully this is changing. I recently heard that a living history museum in Edmonton is planning to recreate an old 1920s taxi office there. I'll keep an eye out and if I come across any Brandon taxi info at this end I'll post it here. Good luck and best wishes.