Ogilvie Flour Mill in Medicine Hat

This century old flour mill was constructed in 1912, and received a good deal of press last year when it celebrated its 100th anniversary. Sadly, that news has since been outweighed by the announcement at the end of January that the plant will now be closing in just a few months at the end of May.

Ogilvie has been the largest mill in Medicine Hat for decades.  The company bought out the Lake of the Woods Milling Company in the 1950s and acquired the other famous mill in town, along with their Five Roses Flour brand. This mill underwent a massive expansion shortly after that. 

Despite the success of this facility, the company is consolidating their efforts by moving production to their larger facility in Calgary. It goes without saying, but obviously it's a shame to lose such a defining business in the community. For the sake of my Around the Hat photo series and the century following the boom in the early 1910s, this seems particularly poignant in the timeline I've been documenting.

Ogilvie Mill construction in Medicine Hat ca. 1912

Ogilvie Mill ca. 1920s. Notice how the city hasn't grown onto the hill.

Ogilvie Mill construction in Medicine Hat ca. 1912

Cypress Club Interior: Dining & Boardroom

As an active club, the dining area and boardroom of Medicine Hat's Cypress Club are still very popular (and private) locations for members to meet. Much like in the lounge, the classic details are continued from the heavy drapery to the light fixtures, further accented by the stunning dark wood embellishments. 

In the boardroom in particular, it was cool to see framed mementos with members signatures from important gatherings in the club's past. Small touches throughout the building echo the history that's taken place here, and I loved stumbling onto the clues left on display. Together, they only added to the upscale feel of the surroundings.  

The brothel ring, now hung on the mantle in the boardroom, is an interesting piece of history highlighted by a framed image and a brief write up. It reads:

For many years this ring was in the curb in front of the Cypress Club front door. During the horse and buggy days the local livery stable had a horse they tied to it.

Patrons desiring transportation to the local brothel would take the horse and buggy and upon reaching their destination would turn the horse around. It would make its way back to the ring and there await the next passenger.