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Manitoba Club

The Manitoba Club was founded on July 16, 1874 at the St. James Restaurant with 25 members. The first club room was a rented space called the Red River Hall in the McDermot Block on Main Street. These quarters went up in flames six months later and the club moved into a rented house across the street. The population of the city at the time was less than 2,000.

In 1881, with the city’s population at 10,000, a new club was built on Garry Street. The club remained in this first-class facility for 24 years. A stained glass window commemorating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee (1837-1892) had been installed at the Club House during this period.

In 1902, lots were purchased at Broadway and Fort from the Hudson’s Bay Company for $8,000 and architect W. A. Peters was commissioned to build a new club.

In 1905, the new building was completed and opened by Earl Grey on October 10th. The stained glass window was moved from the old club house to the new building. In 1909 an east wing and a card room on the second floor was added.

In 1930, the southwest wing was added with facilities for ladies and families. In 1979 women were allowed to enter by the Broadway entrance and by 1991 were granted full membership rights.

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