SASKATOON HERITAGE SERIES II - Bell’s House Mystery Cache

This luxury house along the river was built in 1910 for the Bell Family. William James Bell was born in South Africa and settled in Saskatoon as a farm implement dealer in 1903. Besides sitting on City Council and the public school board, he was involved with the early construction of the University of Saskatchewan.

The house's original cost was $14 000. Two Regina architects,Edgar Storey and William Van Egmond designed it. Note the covered carriage entrance on the east side. The Mansard roof with the widow's walk on top, the porch and dentils under the eaves are all unique features. When designed the main floor had a library, living room, dining room and kitchen, while the second floor had two bathrooms, five bedrooms, a dressing room and sewing room. The third floor was meant for hired help and had three bedrooms.

Bell and his wife moved to Vancouver in 1928 where he died
in 1952. It was divided into suites in 1942 and recently has been converted to single family use. This home is protected through the Saskatoon Heritage Society.