Burns Lake's first branch of the Royal Bank of Canada was located in a small building on the south side of the railway tracks near the Gerow Hotel. The manager was Miles Henderson, a Scot born in Lochbouie on the island of Mull in northwestern Scotland. Henderson entered the banking business while in his mid-teens and worked for the Royal Bank of Scotland in Lesmahagow (Lanarkshire) for four years. In 1909, armed with references from his employer and clergyman, Miles left Scotland for Canada. Not much is known of his life here until July 31, 1915, when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force’s 62nd Battalion in Vernon.
Miles was discharged in June 1919. He moved to Burns Lake upon his return to Canada. In 1920, the Royal Bank started work on a new building. The wood-frame structure, located on the present site of RBC along Highway 16, featured offices on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs for Miles and his wife. During the catastrophic fire that destroyed much of Burns Lake's downtown core in March 1924, residents saved the Royal Bank building by throwing snowballs on its roof.
Miles was discharged in June 1919. He moved to Burns Lake upon his return to Canada. In 1920, the Royal Bank started work on a new building. The wood-frame structure, located on the present site of RBC along Highway 16, featured offices on the ground floor and living quarters upstairs for Miles and his wife. During the catastrophic fire that destroyed much of Burns Lake's downtown core in March 1924, residents saved the Royal Bank building by throwing snowballs on its roof.
