Experience Guide | Tourism Medicine Hat

The Monarch Theatre Canada’s oldest surviving, purpose-built movie theatre is in downtown Medicine Hat. The Monarch Theatre first welcomed guests in 1911, with a liveliness inviting people to shine their shoes and dress their best to attend a black and white film. In 2025, locals and visitors are still invited to attend films and live performances. Find events at themonarchtheatre.ca. 9

Hull Block At 17-years-old, William Roper Hull moved to Canada from England to work on a relative’s farm. He built buildings across Alberta, including downtown Medicine Hat’s largest building, Hull Block. Currently inside, you’ll find a cozy coffee shop, Rosewood Café , along with other professional business spaces. Cypress Club Built in 1907, the brick used to construct this building was locally manufactured in Medicine Hat during its budding ceramics industry. The Cypress Club of Medicine Hat, established in 1903, still resides inside. The dining room is open for anyone to indulge in dinner. Reservations are required and there is a dress code. 6 7

Hargrave-Sissons Block This building was constructed for brothers-in-law James Hargrave and Dan Sissons, who were renowned ranchers and businessmen in the area. Hargrave-Sissons Block was origi nally built in 1901, with additions in 1910. Now inside is note: , a place featuring local art, local ingredients, and a relaxing space to spend time. There were early reports that Southern Alberta was unsuitable for agriculture, and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming orig inally proposed that CPR avoid South ern Alberta altogether. If it wasn’t for a CPR decision to overturn Sandford’s proposal, this Chateau-style station, one of its finest in Canada, would never have been built. This historic build ing and space still operates today. Canadian Pacific Railway Station

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Beveridge Building The optimism during the manufactur ing boom centered on natural gas and clay deposits led to the construction of several large buildings like the Beve ridge Building. Many local businesses and organizations have come and gone throughout the years, including a furniture store, restaurants, a speak easy lounge, and an events venue. Turpin Block Built in 1905, it is considered to be one of the first buildings designed by architect William T. Williams, after his arrival from the United States. Station Coffee Company opened inside the Turpin Block building in 2013 and has continued to serve a good cup of coffee and decadent desserts.

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Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce

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During World War I, this branch took great pride in their staff members’ effort on the battlefield. Sgt. JC Matheson was a member of the 10th Battalion and left a heartfelt letter detailing his battalion’s role in the second Battle of Ypres. With bullet holes in his helmet, no food or water, and dying soldiers all around, he pondered, “How I ever came through is a mystery to me”.

It is little known outside of Medicine Hat, but during the Second World War, the city was home to Canada’s largest prisoner of war camp, which held 12,000 prisoners, more than the population of the city. One of the buildings still stands on the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede grounds to this day. Find more information at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre Archive Reference Services room.

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