California Club facts for kids
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The California Club
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 Location in California
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| Location | 538 S Flower St, Los Angeles, California |
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| Area | Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1929–1930 |
| Architect | Robert D. Farquhar |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 10000425 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | July 6, 2010 |
The California Club is a very old and special private club located in Los Angeles, California. It was started in 1888. This club is "invitation-only," which means you can only join if you are invited by current members.
Many important people in Los Angeles have been members of the California Club. One newspaper, the Los Angeles Times, once said that the people who own Los Angeles belong to this club.
Contents
What is the California Club?
The California Club is a private social club. It's a place where members can meet, eat, and relax. It's known for being very exclusive.
How Do People Join?
Joining the California Club is not easy. If you want to become a member, you need to be invited by at least six people who are already members. After that, you go through several interviews. The club also checks your background and references very carefully.
In 2005, a researcher from UC Santa Cruz studied important social clubs. He ranked the California Club as one of the top clubs in terms of its influence.
A Look Back: Club History
The California Club officially started on December 24, 1888. But the first meeting to plan the club happened earlier, on September 24, 1887.
Early Locations
The club first met in rooms above the Tally-Ho Stables. This was on the corner of First and Fort (now Broadway) streets. Later, in 1895, the club moved to the Wilcox Building. This building was special because it had two elevators. One was for the public, and the other was just for club members.
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As more people joined, the club needed a bigger space. So, in 1904, it moved again. This time, it went to a five-story building on Fifth and Hill streets.
Important Changes Over Time
For many years, the California Club was accused of not allowing certain groups of people to join. This included women, African Americans, and Jewish people.
However, things changed in the late 1980s. In June 1987, club members voted. A large majority (90 percent) decided to allow women to join. Also, the Los Angeles City Council voted to stop clubs from discriminating. Since then, the California Club has a policy that welcomes all people.
The Club's Current Home
The club's current building is very impressive. It has seven stories and was finished on August 25, 1930. Construction started in late 1928.
A Special Building
The building was designed by a famous architect named Robert D. Farquhar. He studied architecture in Paris, France. His design for the California Club building was so good that he won a special award for it.
The National Park Service says this building is one of Farquhar's most important works. It is built in the Italian Renaissance Revival style. This style looks like old Italian buildings. The club's building has special features like a private front area. This helps make the club feel private and elegant.
Because of its historical and architectural importance, the building was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on July 6, 2010. This means it's recognized as a special place worth protecting.
Art and History Inside
Inside the clubhouse, you'll find beautiful old furniture and antiques. The walls are also decorated with many paintings. These are mostly Western-themed landscapes. They were painted by famous American artists like J. Bond Francisco, Elmer Wachtel, and William Wendt. These paintings often show outdoor scenes.
See also
- List of American gentlemen's clubs
