18th June 2005, The Brandon Club assets were sold at Auction (see story)
6/18/2009 at 8:14 AM
THE BRANDON CLUB was formed in 1896, and was a great social institution for Gentlemen patterned on the ‘Old Boys Clubs’ of Victorian England. The first Club was located at 12th Street, near Rosser Avenue in Brandon. Mr. Frederick Granville, was the moving spirit in the Clubs inception, and superintended its construction. The building was 48 X 60 feet in area, with three stories, and was a substantial as well as ornamental brick structure, and one of the architectural ornaments of the city. The building contained a magnificently fitted Billiard Hall, a spacious Dining Room, capable of accommodating nearly 100 guests, several sumptuously furnished parlours, and 45 bedrooms, while the whole inner arrangements were the acme of neatness and fine taste.
This first Brandon Club cost over $40,000 and was one of the finest institutions of its class in the northwest, and was a valuable addition to the social arrangements of the city. When completed Mr. Granville assumed its management. He was an established club manager with many years experience in that line, both in the Old World and the New, and under his able conduct he was able to render satisfactory results. Mr. M. Wylie was the assistant, and also a Gentleman of large experience, and proved a valuable aid to Mr. Granville.
In 1904 a new Cub House was constructed opposite the old provincial Courthouse at 1239 Princess Avenue. The interior featured Oak and Mahogany woodwork throughout, almost every room had a fireplace. From a second floor balcony the Gentlemen members could sit and enjoy the expansive view of the surrounding fields and forests. Nearby was a stable of horses from which Club Members could go riding in the countryside. During the Great Depression the Club fell on hard times, but was rescued by Brandon Sun proprietors Ernest Whitehead, and Ted Woodley.
Over time the Club changed, by the 1940’s women were permitted to attend special functions, and by the 1960’s to become members. In the 1990’s the Brandon Club was a Social Centre for men and women of all walks of life who supported a range of local Charities. At the turn of the 21st Century plans were made to restore the Clubhouse to its former Victorian glory. Windows that long ago had been covered over in an attempt at energy conservation were reopened, and when wall panelling was removed a Grand Mural was exposed.
The transformation and renewal of the Brandon Club was recognized by the Manitoba Historical Society when on April 3rd 2005 the Lieutenant Governor General John Harvard, Jacqueline Friesen, and Gordon Goldsborough presented the Club members with a Centennial Organization award, but sadly in early June of 2005 the Club was closed and its Assets were sold by Auction on June 18th 2005. Brandon Lawyer Mr. Carl Burch has purchased the Historic Clubhouse, and is converting the building into residential, and office space.
Source:
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/organization/brandonclub.shtml