The Monarch Corporation
Enriching the social, cultural and economic fabric of the communities we serve through informative, intelligent and creative deeds.Starting in the early 1940’s, J. Harlan Yuill consolidated his business interests under a company named Monarch Investments Ltd., located in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. His business experience was focused in varied business interests including President of Alberta Clay Products Ltd., President of Medicine Hat Potteries Ltd., and President of Alberta Linseed Oil Ltd.
J. Harlan Yuill established and acted as President of Monarch Broadcasting Company Ltd. and in 1960 he became President of Cablevision Medicine Hat Ltd. As sole shareholder of MIL, he was active in associated companies with interests in retail sales, restaurants, real estate and cattle ranching.
CHAT AM 1270 went on the air.
CHAT-TV began broadcasting on VHF channel 6.
Cablevision Medicine Hat LTD. Medicine Hat/Redcliff went on the air., Cablevision Medicine Hat rebroadcast 2 cable channels from Great Falls Montana. In 1979 Cablevision added 4 US stations from Spokane Washington thus eliminating the Great Falls channels. In 1986 cable service to Banff and Canmore was added.
Willard H. Yuill, the second son of J.H. Yuill, acquired certain assets from the Estate of J. Harlan Yuill, including shares in Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. and Cablevision Medicine Hat Ltd. Later that year, W.H. (Bill) Yuill assumed the role of President of both Monarch Broadcasting and Cablevision.
Bill Yuill brought organized minor league baseball to Medicine Hat. A group of community leaders formed a partnership to acquire a franchise in the Pioneer League of Professional Baseball. The first year (1977) of operation being affiliated with the Oakland A’s, was a success both on the field and financially. The next year the Medicine Hat franchise joined the Toronto Blue Jays organization.
Beginning in 1983, the Company proceeded to acquire minor league franchises so as to build a complete minor league baseball organization with franchises in each level of proficiency. Starting with Medicine Hat in the Pioneer League (first year rookie league), then in 1983 Florence SC in the South Atlantic League (short season A level), 1983 Tucson AZ Pacific Coast League (triple A), 1984 Chattanooga TN Southern League (double A), 1984 Ft. Myers FL Florida State League (long season A), 1987 Fresno CA California League (long season A).
Monarch Communications Inc. (MCI) was incorporated as an umbrella holding company for both Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. and Monarch Cable TV Ltd. (formerly Cablevision, then later Monarch Cablesystems Ltd.)
Consolidated Sports Holdings Ltd. and Consolidated Sports Holdings (USA) Ltd. were incorporated to own and operate sports franchises both in Canada and the U.S.A
Monarch Video incorporated in the Province of Alberta to own and operate video rental stores in western Canada.
CSH acquired a franchise in the World Basketball League in Las Vegas NV. The Las Vegas Silver Streaks won the inaugural Championship.
CSH moved into ice hockey by acquiring the Seattle Thunderbirds in the Western Hockey League subsequently acquiring an expansion franchise in the WHL in Everett WA 2002.
W1 Cablesystems of Medicine Hat completed construction and installation in 141 rural communities in Alberta and Saskatchewan.
The two-time World Champion Toronto Blue Jays played an exhibition game in Medicine Hat on June 6th, 1994 in front of 10,000 boisterous baseball fans. The largest single sporting event in the history of Medicine Hat.
Monarch Broadcasting owned 15 radio stations and 3 television stations throughout Alberta and British Columbia, including Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Taber, Red Deer, Grand Prairie, Edmonton, Cranbrook, Prince George, Vancouver.
Monarch Communications Inc., agreed to sell the shares of Monarch Broadcasting Ltd. to Jim Pattison Industries of Vancouver B.C. The sale included 18 over the air broadcasting licenses located in markets throughout Alberta and southern British Columbia.
CSH acquired Peoria Pines Golf Corp, in Peoria AZ.
WHL granted EHT Inc. an expansion franchise for Everett Washington. The Everitt Silvertips played their first game on October 4th, 2003.
MCI agreed to sell a portion of their cable television undertakings in Alberta and southern B.C. to Shaw Communications Inc. Calgary. This transaction included 9 broadcast distribution undertakings.
Monarch purchased Tot-em Transportation Ltd. and in 2006 changed the name to TRAXX transportation Ltd. At that time Tot-em had 7 charter coaches, currently in 2016 TRAXX has 68 luxury motor coaches.
MCI sold the remaining cable system assets to City West Cable and Telephone Corp. of Prince Rupert, B.C. This transaction included 8 broadcast distribution undertakings located throughout northern British Columbia.
August 23rd, 2006 Tot-em Transportation name changed to Traxx Transportation Ltd.
Bill Yuill received an honorary Doctor of Law Degree from the University of Lethbridge
December 15th, 2008 CSH acquired the Arizona Sundogs, a Central Hockey League team in Prescott Valley, Arizona.
May 18th, 2010 CSH granted an expansion team, the Amarillo Bulls, in the north American Hockey League in Amarillo, Texas.
May 30th, 2011 CSH purchased the North Iowa Bulls, a North American Tier III Hockey League team in Mason City, Iowa.
November 28th, 2011 Monarch Ventures Inc. incorporated in the province of Alberta.
March 5th, 2012 Monarch Capital Corporation incorporated in the province of Alberta.
November 15th, 2012 CSH purchased the Medford Rogues, a West Coast Baseball League baseball team in Medford, Oregon.
April 1st, 2014 CSH awarded a United States Hockey League expansion team, the Bloomington Thunder, in Bloomington, Illinois.
July 17th, 2014 Monarch Land Ltd. signed a sale agreement for the Calgary Sanderson Ridge property.
Bill Yuill was inducted into the Alberta Order of Excellence. This Order is to recognize citizens who make a significant impact on their community and province. The Order was established in 1979 and currently has 157 members to date.
Bill Yuill was inducted into the Calgary Business Hall of Fame. He was one of the four businessmen inducted into the prestigious club in 2017. The Calgary Business Hall of Fame was established by JA Southern Alberta in 2004. Inductees are nominated by their peers and selected by an independent committee. Its inductees have helped shape the province through their business success, entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropic contributions.
Bill Yuill also received an honorary degree from the Medicine Hat College in 2017.
The Bloomington Thunder was re-branded as the Central Illinois Flying Aces
The Yuill Family Foundation partnered with Ronald McDonald House Charities to bring Medicine Hat its first Ronald McDonald House which serves sick children from Southern Alberta and Southwest Saskatchewan. The House is located just 200 steps away from the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. The Yuill Family Foundation donated $800,000 to support construction of the facility which opened in 2020.
CSH International, Inc. sold the Amarillo Bulls Hockey Franchise, the Bulls continue to play in the city of Amarillo, Texas.