JURKOWSKI, Ladislas de (1867- c. 1920) was the first Polish-Canadian architect recorded in western Canada, and he was active in Winnipeg, Man. from 1902 until after 1914. Born in Poland in 1867, he arrived in Canada before 1890 and was recorded in Ottawa, Ont. in 1891 as a furniture maker (Canada Census, 1891, City of Ottawa). He moved to Winnipeg after 1900, and his name was listed as “contractor and carpenter” in that city (Winnipeg City Directory, 1905, 497, 703). He began to style himself as an architect in Winnipeg in 1903 when he was noted as the designer (and perhaps as the contractor and builder) of the priest’s residence adjacent to Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church in that city. In 1905, he prepared the plans for the new Greek Orthodox Church in Winnipeg which he designed “…in the Russo-Byzantine style”. He was briefly in partnership with Leopold Villeroy, as "Jurkowski & Villeroy, Architects, with European, Canadian and United States experience" (Manitoba Morning Free Press [Winnipeg], 1 July 1905, 12, advert.), but their collaboration lasted only for few months.
In 1907 he was one of 8 architects from across Canada who entered the competition for the new City Hall at Calgary, Alberta (Morning Albertan [Calgary], 7 May 1907, 4, list of competitors). This was a major institutional project, estimated to cost $150,000, but Jurkowski appeared to be capable at handling the complex programme set out in the conditions for the competition. His entry was not among the finalists, and the commission was awarded to William Dodd of Calgary. Jurkowski may have left Winnipeg after the downturn in the local economy after 1913. His last known work was prepared in 1920 when he designed a public hospital at Hanna, Alberta.
(works in Winnipeg unless noted)
HOLY GHOST ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, a brick presbytery or residence for the church, Selkirk Avenue near Aikins Street, 1903 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 10 June 1903, 2, t.c.)
MANITOBA AVENUE, near Salter Street, residence for the architect L. Jurkowski, 1903; demol. (City of Winnipeg b.p. 336, issued 1903)
HOLY TRINITY RUSSIAN GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH, Manitoba Avenue at McKenzie Street, 1905 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 19 June 1905, 9, illus. & descrip., but credited to “L. de Jackowski“ [sic]; City of Winnipeg b.p. 1405, issued 1905)
MAGNUS AVENUE, near Powers Street, residence for Harry Barker, 1905 (City of Winnipeg b.p. 3248, issued 1905)
HARRISON BROTHERS, Main Street at Jarvis Street, commercial block, 1905 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 19 June 1905, 9, illus. & descrip., but credited to “L. de Jackowski“ [sic]; City of Winnipeg b.p. 903, issued 1905)
SELKIRK AVENUE, at Arlington Street, residence for John Hadder, 1907 (City of Winnipeg b.p. 664, issued 1907)
MANITOBA AVENUE, near Aikins Street, residence for Casamer Pollec, 1907 (City of Winnipeg b.p. 2042, issued 1907)
HANNA, ALBERTA, Municipal Hospital, 1920 (C.R., xxxiv, 7 July 1920, 60)