By Devonna Edwards, Columnist
The Halifax Club was established in January 1862 on Hollis Street in Halifax and holds the title of being the first private social club in Halifax. The club’s building stands in the same location today as it was in 1862 and remains in operation. It began when fifteen distinguished gentlemen of wealth and influence met in the Hollis Street office of Robie Uniacke. These powerful men belonged to a close-knit group whose reach extended all over the world due to their involvement in finance, politics, military, and religion. They decided to organize the formation of the Halifax Club which would be a relaxing refuge for Halifax’s leaders in business, politics, and military. Many of these gentlemen had family or business ties in England and a social club would help adjust to living in isolated Halifax.
The organizers then began to lay the plans for their establishment, first having to raise money, find land to build on, design their clubhouse and recruit members.
They purchased property on Hollis Street for $8000 from Mr. J.D. Nash. The club organizers’ plan was to build a magnificent building on the site, fitted in the most modern style and including all the improvements of the age. Architect David Sterling was chosen to design it and the contract for building the new clubhouse was given to George Laing.
When the Halifax Club building was completed, it was thought to be the most beautiful structure in the city. It was given the highest rating in an edition of the Illustrated London News, England on November 14, 1863, and the Acadian Recorder newspaper in Halifax. The style of the structure is Italian Palazzo which refers to the mode that architects used to build palaces for wealthy families of the Italian Renaissance in the 19th and 20th century. The Club’s building was described as having a bold and striking appearance with its main front constructed of native freestone which is stone soft enough that it can be cut easily without shattering or splitting. The front of the building looks quite impressive, with a mixture of different shaped windows adorned with various sculptures above the curved window case. The third story has a center oriel window with carved scroll work and a shield and crown above. Also displayed on the third story are six very decorative beautifully carved female busts enriched with wreaths and drops of fruit and flowers.
In the internal arrangements every regard has been paid to the comfort of the members, combined with elegance of architectural finish. The main central hall is paved with Maw’s encaustic tiles (Maw’s was the name of a company that made tiles since the 1850s) and encaustic tiles mean that the pattern along with the colour is only on the surface of the tile, not deep within the tile. The grand staircase at the entrance is quite striking as it winds its way up to the second and third story. On the ground floor is situated a spacious coffee room, with waiter’s compartments adjoining, also the library and reading rooms of corresponding dimensions. On the first floor are arranged a fine billiard room (the entire depth of the building), a private dining room which may also be used as a committee room and card and writing rooms. In the upper story it is proposed to give partial accommodation to lodgers, after the manner of some of the London clubhouses. The basement is appropriated to the various kitchen and housekeeper’s offices, together with bath and dressing rooms for the convenience of members.
On the inside of the club the ceilings are very high adorned with sparkling chandeliers and the walls are covered with beautiful old paintings. There are many fireplaces in various rooms and some of their mantles hold antique clocks. A good deal of the paintings and ornamental decorations were donated to the club over time. There are seven rooms in the Club House named after some of the original members, their names are scrolled in gold paint over the doors: Almon Room, Cunnard Room, Kenny Room, Morrow Room, Pryor Room, Tobin Room, and Uniacke Room.
An interesting feature can be found in the basement, where there is a trap door leading down to a tunnel that goes under Hollis Street to Lower Water Street. The tunnel was still accessible several years ago.
The first meeting in the new Halifax Club was held on November 20, 1863, prior to that meetings were held at the office of Robie Uniacke or Henry Pryor.
Women could not hold membership and were only allowed in the “Good Old Boys Club” after 6 PM, later the time was changed to 5 PM, then in 1985 women were allowed in the dining room at noon and finally that same year, women were allowed to become members. Noella Fisher was the first lady member of the Club.
The Club’s building had many renovations over the years which greatly improved the facility. In the 1960s they purchased the building next door on Hollis Street.
A few restless spirits roam about the establishment after their untimely deaths at the Club. One tale told and was passed down through the years was about a Steward who was employed at the Club in the late 1870s. He was affected with a mental illness and decided to commit suicide by stabbing himself in front of startled Club members and then shockingly he jump out a window to his death. Apparently, his unhappy spirit never left the building, and he wanders about the Club House causing mischief. While locking up the Club at night the staff has heard the unmistaken sound of whispering and have heard the glass from the chandlers clicking while swaying back and forth.
One area of concern is the cloakroom on the first floor, which can turn ice cold suddenly sending chills down the staff ’s spine.
Today, The Halifax Club is still open and offering membership. Members as well as non- members can book room rentals at the Club for business meetings, events and weddings in which they provide an inhouse catering service. They have fine and casual dining for members daily, but they do not offer overnight accommodation.
