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The Cecil hotel, built in 1912,<br />
became a popular place for the<br />
lesbian community during the<br />
60’s. Lesbian softball teams<br />
would frequently meet in the<br />
backroom after games for drinks.<br />
It continued to remain a popular<br />
choice for lesbians until gay clubs<br />
began opening.<br />
Over the years, the hotel had<br />
become a hot spot for police<br />
due to drugs, prostitution, and<br />
murder. In 2009, the Cecil Hotel<br />
had its business license revoked<br />
by the city. After the 2013 flood,<br />
the historic building could not be<br />
saved and was finally demolished<br />
in 2015.<br />
401 4TH AVE SE<br />
“We liked the Cecil<br />
because there was a nice<br />
private backroom there.<br />
It was marked for Ladies<br />
and Escorts and we’d<br />
laugh because we didn’t<br />
know which we were!”<br />
—Carolyn A. Anderson,<br />
The Voices of Older<br />
Lesbian Women: Oral<br />
History Thesis<br />
CECIL HOTEL<br />
The iconic neon sign, however,<br />
was spared from destruction.<br />
For now, the sign is temporarily<br />
located inside the historic St<br />
Louis Hotel located at 430 8th<br />
Avenue SE which is currently<br />
the Calgary Municipal Land<br />
Corporation. The sign will be<br />
released to whoever buys the<br />
vacant lot.<br />
9
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