Its future is uncertain. But do you know this Halifax building's infamous past?

Brunswick Street. Thousands use it every day. It's in the heart of Halifax and at the foot of Citadel Hill, where old meets new. But you might not know about its checkered past over a century ago, of murder and mysterious death, and why it was once called Knockem Down Road. This building was at the center of it all, though 130 years ago, it's now being considered for heritage status. The property has been a church, a home to the Salvation Army, and several different bars over the years. But it sits on a street that's been known for violence, prostitution, and public drunkenness since the 19th century. Let's go to 1839. This property was home to the Waterloo Tavern. Newspapers of the time reported the owner's son, James Bowman Jr., was walking past a nearby shop when someone knocked on the window. Jr. went to the door of the shop, and a few high words were exchanged with a man named Smith D. Clark. Clark then came out of the shop, holding two pistols, aiming one at James Jr., while yelling, I'll shoot you. Clark shot and killed James Jr. where he stood, and was later convicted of murder. 13 years later, a sailor with HMS Cumberland named Alexander Allen found himself here on Knockem Down Road, but he never made it back to his ship. Allen came to his death by violence in one of the brothels. The owner of the Waterloo Tavern, Thomas Murphy, called police saying a man had fallen from a window and he might be dead. Witnesses testified Allen was carried down the steps of the tavern and seemed pretty well gone. Murphy and the employee were acquitted, but the tavern was set on fire the same day this article was printed. By the 1860s, the Waterloo Tavern had become the Black Dog. The name reportedly came from the owner's black dog, who he would sic on customers he didn't like. Isaac Salis had a reputation. He was tried by authorities at least 39 times between 1857 and 1880. He was known as one of the lowest liquor dealers on Barrack Street, resorting to fisticuffs to get what he wanted and for adulterating his liquor, which is why it's believed he was involved in the death of British sailor Jesse Heathfield in 1867, who was found in his hammock on his ship. Looking for answers, his shipmate stormed the Black Dog, which led to what became known as As a sailor's riot. Most recently, this building was home to the Halifax Alehouse, where a bouncer killed a man right here on the street in the early hours of Christmas Eve 2022. That death led to its closure in 2024, and it's sat empty ever since. The building has a new owner, who initially had a demolition permit for the property, but is now behind the push to get heritage status. So while we know a lot about the property's past, its future remains unclear. Josh Hoffman, CBC News, Halifax.