This 2-storey brick structure is situated on the west side of York Street. This late 19th century building is located between Queen and King Streets
Heritage Value
The heritage value of this building is not only associated with its situation in the city’s commercial district, but in its connection to Fredericton’s communications history. This building was home to a variety of business establishments during the 19th century, and by the second decade of the 20th century, it contained Neill’s sporting goods store on the ground floor. In 1927, New Brunswick’s first radio station moved into the second floor of this building.
J. Stewart Neill, son of hardware merchant, James S. Neill, began radio broadcasting from his home at 212 Waterloo Row in 1923. As broadcasting hours increased and radio programming expanded, J. Stewart Neill began to outgrow the close quarters of his family parlor. Four years after inaugurating radio broadcasting, Neill moved out of his home and into this building on York Street. Even though J. Stewart Neill was not completely satisfied with the soundproofing in this location, the power of the broadcasting signal had increased to 25 watts. The call letters, CFNB, which stood for “Canada, Fredericton, New Brunswick,” were affixed to the exterior of the building above the second storey windows. CFNB continued to broadcast from this location until 1945, when the radio station moved for a third time to 59 York Street.
Character-Defining Elements
The character-defining elements associated with the building at 69 York Street include:
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2-storey brick construction
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Flat roof
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Projecting façade above roof line
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Large display windows on first storey
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Large, rectangular windows on second storey
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Recessed entrance