By the 1880s, the lonely land north of the Cypress Hills seemed on the threshold of a new vitality. The buffalo were disappearing, the ranch herds arriving. The old order of the nomads was yielding to the settlers. When the railway stretched its weary way into the region in 1883, the Medicine Hat story began.
The Cypress Club was created by an ordinance of the North West Territories Assembly assented to on November 21, 1903.
On Nov. 30 in the offices of the Medicine Hat Times, officers of the Cypress Club were chosen. F. L. Crawford became president, D. G. White was made secretary-treasurer, and A. J. Day, William Cousins, W. T. Finlay, F. O. Sissons, C. S. Pingle, and A. W. Kealy were chosen to form the club’s first board.
Its charter members were prominent in the business and political affairs of Medicine Hat since its establishment as a railway town site in 1883. William Cousins arrived in Medicine Hat in May of 1883, where he established a general store. He was later to become one of Medicine Hat's major land developers and served as the Mayor of Medicine Hat in 1907-8.
The Cypress Club was one of a number of clubs created for social purposes Alberta's major urban communities during the boom years prior to World War One. The oldest such clubs are the Ranchman's Club, established in Calgary in 1899 and the Edmonton Club established in the same year. Other southern Alberta social clubs include the Chinook Club, Lethbridge, established in 1901, the MacLeod Club established in 1903, the Alberta Club of the City of Calgary, established in 1904 and the High River and Pincher Clubs, both which were established in 1906.
These social clubs were made of up the business and professional elite of their respective communities. The type of accommodation provided by these various organizations varied with the size of the community. The Cypress, Ranchman's and Edmonton Clubs constructed the most elaborate facilities during this era. This building, therefore, represents an import facet in the social development of Alberta's pre World War One urban communities.
What a great way to enjoy a meeting. Fabulous meal in a great atmosphere. A nice change from the cookie cutter restaurants.
Amazing place. Staff is great and it has a great atmosphere. Live music and you feel normal with the staff not wearing masks and make you feel alive again.
Good lunch in a great atmosphere. Prices lower than I expected.
Cypress club has great food, and even better Staff! They've made me feel so welcome. Thanks guys! Can't wait to be back.
Chef Mike prepared an absolutely fabulous turkey dinner with all the fixings for our Thanksgiving this year. My wife and I were blown away with the quality of the meal and the generous portions. We will definitely make use of The Cypress Club again for our next holiday meal.
We thoroughly enjoyed the Thanksgiving turkey dinner. The atmosphere was relaxed and the service was just right-not rushed and very professional. It was excellent value for what was included. The soup was wonderful, as usual. Chef Mike has a real talent for making delicious homemade soups.
That our wedding was a huge success, everyone had a spectacular time. Your venue and staff are amazing. You all did an excellent job. The space was beautiful, the food and drink absolutely perfectly tasty and the service outstanding. Thank you for your attention to detail and hard work.
It was great finding the Cypress Club, what a treasure with its historic decor, so much history within those walls which should be shared. My husband Dave, friend Caroline and myself would like to express our thanks to the Bar Manager and Chef for their amazing customer service, their kindness and delicious food which we all enjoyed very much.