Alexander Gilmore McCandless (1861-1939)

Vancouver Island Masonic History Project

This page on Alexander Gilmore McCandless is still UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

Alexander Gilmore McCandless (1861-1939) was a member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge No.1 in Victoria. He served as Mayor of Victoria in 1902-1903. In 1887 he went into partnership with his uncle, Alexander Gilmore, in a retail clothing business named Gilmore & McCandless.

Alexander Gilmore McCandless (1861-1939) circa 1903. Alexander McCandless was a member of Victoria-Columbia Lodge No. 1 who served as Mayor of Victoria in 1902-1903. (photo courtesy of Ken McCandless)

In 1887, Gilmore & McCandless opened in 557-559 Johnson Street, a building which is still standing downtown Victoria.

557-559 Johnson Street, Victoria, B.C. Built in 1875 for Henry Saunders, it became the location of Gilmore & McCandless in the 1880's and 1890's (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian) — 557-559 Johnson Street, Victoria, B.C. Built in 1875 for Henry Saunders, it became the location of Gilmore & McCandless in the 1880’s and 1890’s (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Here is an 1892 advertisement for Gilmore & McCandless.

Gilmore & McCandless advertisement, Victoria, 1892 (photo by Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

In 1899 Alexander McCandless and a business partner, D.E. Campbell, retained architect Thomas Hooper to design and build a two storey office and commercial building which is still standing at 574-580 Johnson Street in downtown Victoria.

574-580 Johnson Street, built in 1899 by architect Thomas Hooper for D.E. Campbell and Alexander G. McCandless (photo: Temple Lodge No. 33 Historian)

Alexander Gilmore McCandless was Mayor of Victoria in 1902-1903. Here is a link to a City of Victoria Archives photo of Mayor Alexander McCandless and the Victoria City Council of 1902-1903.

We will add more information to this page as we do additional research.

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