MacDONALD, James Allen (1859-1926), an early contractor and professional architect active in western Canada, and in the American midwest. He was recorded in the following locaitons:
James A. MacDonald, contractor, Winnipeg, Man. 1880-1882
James A. MacDonald, U.S. Army Construction Superintendent, North Dakota, 1882-1884
James A. MacDonald, Construction Superintendent, School Board, Minneapolis, Minn. 1885- 1888
James A. MacDonald, architect, Portage la Prairie, Man. 1889-1892
James A. MacDonald, architect, Regina, Sask., 1892-1896
James A. MacDonald, architect, Chicago, Ill., Jan. 1896 - 1899
Cane & MacDonald, architects, Nelson, B.C., 1900-1903 (with Henry Cane)
James A. MacDonald, Resident Architect, Dept. of Public Works, Calgary, Alta. 1903-04
James A. MacDonald, architect, Lethbridge, Alta. 1904-1910
James A. MacDonald, architect, Calgary, June 1910- 1912
He practiced in several locations throughout the northern Plains area of the United States and in western Canada from 1880 onward. Born in Exeter, Ontario on 1 June 1859 he moved with his parents to Winnipeg in 1872 and attended public school there. After completing his education he worked as contractor in that city from 1880 to 1882, then moved to North Dakota to work as Superintendent of construction for the U.S. Army until 1884. In 1885 he joined the Public School Board in Minneapolis as a construction superintendent and returned to Canada in 1889 to open an office in Portage La Prairie. By 1892 he had relocated in Regina (The Leader [Regina], 14 April 1892, 4), but he had the misfortune of seeing his entire office and residence there destroyed by fire in October 1893 (C.A.B., vi, Nov. 1893, 117). MacDonald rebuilt his operation and maintained an office in Regina until 1896.
For unknown reasons, MacDonald decided to again leave Canada in January 1896 and move to Chicago to pursue his career as an architect (The Leader [Regina], 23 Jan. 1896, 8; Moose Jaw Times, 7 Feb. 1896, 8). He remained there for at least two years, but by 1900 he had returned to Canada, taking up residence in Nelson, B.C. where he formed a partnership with Henry Cane (see list of works under Cane & MacDonald) and later worked there as resident architect for the federal Department of Public Works. From April 1904 to 1910 he practised in Lethbridge, then moved to Calgary where he lived and worked for the remainder of his career. MacDonald died in Calgary on 10 March 1926 (biography in Inland Sentinel (Kamloops), 29 Jan. 1912, 8; biog. Who's Who in Canada, 1913, 469; biography in Calgary Alberta: Merchants and Manufacturers Record, 1911, 195; obituary in the Calgary Herald, 11 March 1926, 11; D. Luxton, Building the West: The Early Architects of British Columbia, 2003, 474-5, 510)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in Manitoba)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., Lansdowne College, 4th Street S.W., 1889; demol. 1980 (The Sun [Winnipeg], 29 June 1889, 5, t.c.)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., major addition to the Presbyterian Church, 1889 (Manitoba Weekly Free Press, 17 Oct. 1889, 8)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., major addition and alterations to residence for Thomas Sissons, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., residence for Byron M. Canniff, First Street S.W., 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2; Manitoba, Early Architecture of Portage la Prairie, 1983, Item No. 33, illus.)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., residence for Neil Campbell, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., residence for A.D. Aikenhead, Hagarty Street at Lorne Street, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., farm residence for M.G. Morrison, located near the town, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
PORTGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., extensive improvements to the Woodbine Hotel, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
OAKLAND, MAN., Presbyterian Church, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
EAST PROSPECT, MAN., Presbyterian Church, 1890 (Winnipeg Daily Tribune, 4 July 1890, 2)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., a new Jail, 1891 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 10 April 1891, 4)
PORTAGE LA PRAIRIE, MAN., a large grain elevator for W.M. Smith, to be built near the Man. & N.W.R. Station, 1891 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 29 May 1891, 1)
OAKVILLE, MAN., school house, 1891 (C.R., ii, 18 July 1891, 2)
SIDNEY, MAN., Methodist Church, Maple Street at Cypress Street, 1891; still standing in 2023 (inf. from Ed Krahn, Winnipeg)
CREEFORD, MAN., Presbyterian Church, 1891 (inf. from Ed Krahn, Winnipeg)
NEEPAWA, MAN., Knox Presbyterian Church, 1891 (C.R., ii, 15 Aug. 1891, 2)
ARDEN, MAN., St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, 1892 (Manitoba Free Press [Winnipeg], 13 May 1892, 1, t.c.)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in Saskatchewan)
MOOSE JAW, SASK., retail store and office block for W.W. Bole, 1892 (Regina Leader, 23 May 1892, 5, t.c.)
MOOSE JAW, SASK., residence for Albert E. Potter, Main Street at Cordova Street, 1892 (C.R., iii, 11 June 1892, 2)
MOOSE JAW, SASK., St. John's Anglican Church " to replace the church destroyed by fire", 1892; demol. 1909 (C.R., iii, 11 June 1892, 2)
REGINA, SASK., large residence for J.C. McLachlan, Hamilton Street, 1892 (Regina Leader, 18 July 1892, 8, descrip.)
PENSE, SASK., a large grain elevator, 1892-93 (Medicine Hat Times, 16 March 1893, 1, descrip.)
BROADVIEW, SASK., a public school building, constructed of fieldstone, Calgary Street at 4th Avenue, 1893; demol. (Regina Leader, 29 June 1893, 1, t.c.; inf. Frank Korvemaker, Regina)
REGINA, SASK., Windsor Hotel, Broad Street, for Charles Howson, 1893; burned 1906 (Daily Leader [Regina], 9 Feb. 1893, 8, descrip.; 19 Oct. 1893, 1, descrip.)
REGINA, SASK., The Regina Club, also known as The Assiniboia Club, 1893 (Regina Leader, 7 Sept. 1893, 8)
QU'APPELLE, SASK., "The Gables", a large two storey stone residence for Leonard G. Bell, located 2.5 miles south of Qu'Appelle, 1894-95; demol. c. 2007 (SAB, R.769.2 Bell Family, F 176 Leonard G. Bell fonds, Letter from James A. Macdonald, Architect dated 19 March 1894; inf. Frank Korvemaker, Regina)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in Alberta)
EDMONTON, ALTA., a large brick residence for John Cameron, "...on the D. McLeod Estate, on the north side of Main Street", 1887 (Edmonton Bulletin, 10 Dec. 1887, 4, descrip.)
EDMONTON, ALTA., Welcome Arch, an outdoor archway on Jasper Avenue, erected for the visit of Lord & Lady Aberdeen, 1894 (Edmonton Bulletin, 11 Oct. 1894, 1)
RAYMOND, ALTA., Bank of Montreal, Broadway South at Park Avenue, 1905; still standing in 2023 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 15 Nov. 1905, 3; Daily Herald [Calgary], 20 Nov. 1905, 3; Donald Luxton, Town of Raymond Historic Resources Inventory, 2017, 10-13, illus. & descrip.)
BLAIRMORE, ALTA., public school, 1906 (Lethbridge News, 4 May 1906, 5)
WARNER, ALTA., a hotel for an unnamed owner, 1906 (Lethbridge News, 4 May 1906, 5)
FRANK, ALTA., sanatorium hotel and spa at the sulphur springs for R. Steeves, 1906 (Lethbridge News, 14 Aug. 1906, 1, descrip.; and 2 Oct. 1906, 4, descrip.; Lethbridge Herald, 16 Aug. 1906, 9, descrip.)
PINCHER CREEK, ALTA., Municipal Hall, 1912 (C.R., xxvi, 13 March 1912, 67) Lethbridge Daily Herald, 16 Aug. 1906, 9; C.R., xvii, 22 Aug. 1906, 2)
MACLEOD, ALTA., Wilton Hotel, 1907 (Edmonton Daily Bulletin, 20 May 1907, 8)
TABER, ALTA., The Palace Hotel, 47th Avenue at 53rd Street, 1907; still standing in 2023 (Taber Free Press, 24 Oct. 1907, 5)
MACLEOD, ALTA, Anderton Block, 1907 (Macleod Gazette, 31 Oct., 1907, 2)
MACLEOD, ALTA., residence for Edith L.C. Anderton, 1907 (Const., i, Nov. 1907, 72)
MACLEOD, ALTA., grain elevator for the Macleod Farmers Elevator & Mill Co. Ltd., 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 18 July 1908, 5, t.c.)
ROYAL CITY, ALTA., hotel for Mr. Dupon, 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 24 Oct. 1908, 8)
CANMORE, ALTA., meeting hall for the Miner's Union, 1912 (C.R., xxvi, 13 March 1912, 66)
PINCHER CREEK, ALTA., Municipal Hall, 1912 (C.R., xxvi, 13 March 1912, 67)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in Lethbridge, Alta.)
3rd AVENUE SOUTH, residence for Malcolm Young, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
5th AVENUE SOUTH, residence for Alexander B. Stafford, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
4th AVENUE SOUTH, residence for Frank Colpman, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
unnamed street, residence for Walter Lamb, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
5th AVENUE SOUTH, residence for Charles H. Van Horne, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
unnamed street, residence for L.N. McEwen, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
3rd AVENUE SOUTH, large addition to residence for Frederick W. Downer, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
LETHBRIDGE HOTEL, 1st Avenue South, extensive remodelling, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, descrip.)
NEW ARLINGTON HOTEL, 1st Avenue South, a new hotel for F. Rooney, 1904 (The News [Lethbridge], 21 July 1904, 4, detailed descrip.)
SOUTHARD BLOCK, a three storey commercial block for A. Southard, 3rd Avenue South, 1905 (The News [Lethbridge], 6 April 1905, 1, t.c.; and 28 Nov. 1905, 5, illus. & detailed architectural descrip.)
WESTMINSTER SCHOOL, in the North Ward, 1905-06 (Lethbridge News, 1 June 1905, 2, t.c.; and 29 May 1906, 6)
GALT HOSPITAL, a new Nurse's Home adjacent to the Hospital, 1905-06 (Lethbridge News, 20 Oct. 1905, 2, t.c.)
LETHBRIDGE BREWING & MALTING CO., Victoria Street at 7th Avenue, 1906 (C.R., xvii, 2 May 1906, 2; Lethbridge News, 2 Oct. 1906, 4)
HIGINBOTHAM BLOCK, a three storey brick block for J.D. Higinbotham, with additions to existing building, 1906 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 2 Aug. 1906, 5, t.c.)
unnamed street, residence for Morris Barford, 1906 (Lethbridge News, 21 Aug. 1906, 1; t.c.)
LETHBRIDGE WOOLEN MILLS CO., factory, 1906 (Lethbridge News, 23 Oct. 1906, 1, tc.; C.R., xvii, 7 Nov. 1906, 4)
KNOX PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, Dufferin St. at Burdett Street, 1908; burned 1953 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 9 May 1908, 2, descrip.)
A. MacDONALD & CO., addition of a new floor above the existing store, 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 23 May 1908, 5, t.c.)
FIRE HALL, Fire Hall, with temporary Civic Offices at the rear, Ford Street, 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 22 June 1908, 1, descrip.; 23 July 1908, 3, t.c.)
COURTLAND STREET, two houses for T.A. Cory, Courtland Street, 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 24 Oct. 1908, 8)
HEYTIENS BLOCK, a commercial block for A. Heytiens "owner of the Belgian Restaurant", with demolition of existing building and construction of new three storey block, 1908 (Lethbridge Daily Herald, 24 Oct. 1908, 8)
REDPATH STREET, commercial block for Bowman & Johnston, 1909 (C.R., xxiii, 3 Feb. 1909, 22)
4th AVENUE SOUTH, residence for Joseph N. Ritchie, 1909 (C.R., xxiii, 16 June 1909, 22)
BURNS BLOCK, Round Street at Dufferin Street, addition of a new floor above the existing building, 1909 (retrospective article in the Lethbridge Herald, 31 Oct. 1949, 5)
CRABB STREET, large residence for Edward McKenzie, 1910 (retrospective article in the Lethbridge Herald, 1 Feb. 1950, 4)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in Calgary, Alta.)
CALGARY, ALTA., Metal's Ltd., 9th Avenue West, commercial block, 1911-12 (C.R., xxv, 6 Dec. 1911, 60)
CALGARY, ALTA., McNeil's Warehouse, 11th Avenue, 1911 (list of works in Calgary-Merchants & Manufacturers Record, 1911, 195)
CALGARY, ALTA., King George Hotel, 9th Avenue West, 1911 (list of works in Calgary-Merchants & Manufacturers Record, 1911, 195)
J.A. MacDONALD (works in British Columbia)
NELSON, B.C., Carnegie Library, 1902 (retrospective article in the Vancouver Daily World, 20 Oct. 1922, 4)
CRANBROOK, B.C., The Fink Mercantile Co. Block, Baker Street, for J.P. Fink, 1906; still standing in 2020 (Lethbridge News, 4 May 1906, 5; Cranbrook Herald, 27 Sept. 1906, 3; The Prospector [Cranbrook], 24 Nov. 1906, 1)