This two-storey brick and stone building on Heaton Avenue in Winnipeg, measuring 44 feet by 84 feet, was designed by local architect Johann Schwab and built between 1904 and 1905 for the German Society of Winnipeg at a cost of about $15,000. Its cornerstone was laid by Lieutenant Governor Daniel Hunter McMillan at a ceremony on 22 October 1904.
In its original configuration, the basement contained a bowling alley, billiard room, and buffet. The main floor had a large reading room (14 by 20 feet), women's parlour, kitchen, two bedrooms, committee room, and dining room. The latter two rooms (each 20 by 36 feet) were connected by sliding doors so they could be connected into one larger space. On the second floor was a large lecture hall (41 by 57 feet), stage, and dressing rooms.
German Society Building (February 2016)
Source: Gordon Goldsborough
German Society Building (August 2019)
Source: George PennerSite Coordinates (lat/long): N49.90223, W97.12856
denoted by symbol on the map above
See also:
Historic Sites of Manitoba: Winnipeg Hebrew Free School (Talmud Torah) / German Society Building (121 Charles Street, Winnipeg)
“Governor lays the stone this afternoon,” Winnipeg Telegram, 22 October 1904, page 3.
“Record year in building,” Winnipeg Tribune, 16 December 1905, page 24.
German Club, 61 Heaton Avenue by Murray Peterson, Peterson Projects, February 2007.
We thank George Penner and Glen Toews for providing additional information used here.
This page was prepared by Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 1 April 2026
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