Down goes Farnam: Lydia's building demolished

A pile of rubble sat at the corner of Broadway Avenue and 11th Street East Tuesday afternoon.

Saskatoon’s Farnam Block building was officially no more. Crews began dismantling the iconic structure — which once housed Lydia’s Pub — last week and, on Tuesday, a backhoe tore down the building.

Several city residents gathered sporadically throughout the day, watching the demolition and snapping pictures of the destruction. Some grabbed bricks from the site to keep as souvenirs. Others signed memorial posters that were taped to the site’s construction fence.

Local Irish band Circling Over Shannon paid tribute by playing a short set in front of the rubble.

“It was a great establishment for music in Saskatoon, and so many people came out of this place,” said group member Michael Hughes. “We thought, ‘Let’s just come and do a few tunes out in front of the old place, just for old times’ sake, and say goodbye in our way.’”

The group played on Lydia’s stage every St. Patrick’s Day for more than a decade.

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  A backhoe tears down the Farnam Block building early Tuesday afternoon. The building was completely knocked down by early Tuesday evening. (Kevin Menz/ CTV Saskatoon)

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  A man signs a memorial for Turning the Tide, a book store that was recently demolished alongside the Farnam Block building. (Kevin Menz/CTV Saskatoon)

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  The Farnam Block building on Broadway Avenue is seen here on Thursday, March 5, 2015. (Kevin Menz/CTV Saskatoon)