Elks Club Building (Manila) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Elks Club Building |
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| General information | |
| Architectural style | Mission Revival |
| Address | Roxas Boulevard cor. South Drive |
| Town or city | Manila |
| Country | Philippines |
| Current tenants | Museo Pambata |
| Named for | Elks Club |
| Completed | 1949 |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | William E. Parsons |
The Elks Club Building is a famous building in Manila, Philippines. It used to be the clubhouse for a group called the Manila Elks Lodge #761. This group is also known as the Manila Elks Club. The building was designed by an architect named William E. Parsons.
The Manila Elks Lodge #761 is part of a larger American group called the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. This group is a "fraternal order," which means it's like a social club for men who share common interests and goals.
Contents
History of the Elks Club Building
How the Club Started
The Manila Elks Club was created after the Spanish–American War ended in 1898. This war led to the Philippines becoming a territory of the United States. In 1901, some Americans living in Manila asked the main Elks organization in the U.S. if they could start a club in the Philippines. They received permission in 1905.
The First Clubhouse
Around 1910, the Manila Elks Club bought land to build their clubhouse. It was located near Luneta Park in the Ermita area of Manila. The first building was finished in 1910. It had three stories and was built in the Mission Revival style. This style often features curved gables and red tile roofs, like old Spanish missions. The building looked similar to the nearby Manila Army and Navy Club.
During World War II
From 1935 to 1940, after the Commonwealth of the Philippines was formed, the clubhouse was used by the United States High Commissioner and his team. The High Commissioner was the top U.S. official in the Philippines at that time.
In 1942, during World War II, Japanese forces took control of the Philippines. They took nearly 100 people from the Elks Club and the Army and Navy Club to a place called the Santo Tomas Internment Camp. This was a camp where civilians were held during the war. The Elks Club building was badly damaged and later destroyed during the war.
Rebuilding and New Purpose
In February 1949, the Elks Lodge #761 opened its new clubhouse. It was rebuilt on the same spot as the first one, on what is now Roxas Boulevard. The new building had two stories and kept the Mission Revival style. It was also designed by William E. Parsons, the same American architect who designed the first one. He had studied architecture at famous schools like Yale University and in Paris.
In the 1960s, the Elks Lodge #761 moved out of the building. This happened because of new rules about who could own property. The club then moved to a new location in Makati.
Later, the Philippine government bought the Manila Elks Club Building. Today, this historic building and its grounds are home to the Museo Pambata. This is a wonderful children's museum that was started by Dr. Estefania Aldaba-Lim in 1994. It's a place where kids can learn and play!
See also
