Founded in 1884
CALIFORNIA TENNIS CLUB - A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CLUB
The California Tennis Club, established in 1884, is among the fifteen oldest private tennis clubs in America and the oldest tennis club west of the Mississippi. Former CTC members are in the International Hall of Fame, and current members continue to win USTA championships and gold balls in abundance.
Legend has it that the California Tennis Club is the oldest private club west of the Mississippi. The Club was born when San Francisco was still frontier city, still searching for maturity in the aftermath of the Gold Rush. Considering the era, it is remarkable that a woman, Mary Therese Austin, founded the Club. This remains a source of great pride for Club members.
Mary Therese leased a lot on the corner of Van Ness and Sutter streets for the first two years. Initially, the Club had 24 members with an initiation fee of $10 and monthly dues of $2 per month.
The lease of the Van Ness property expired at the end of two years. The new clubhouse at our current location was erected in 1887, with an extended frame building, with a covered porch facing the tennis courts. Its dominant feature was a massive gable roof, and on the face of it, was the now famous oak wood clock that hangs on the dining room today!
The Club was equipped with three tennis courts, surfaced in Santa Cruz bituminous rock at the cost of $2500. The Club renewed the lease every five years between 1890 and 1924, while the monthly lease rates rose from $45 a month to $182.50 a month. This worrisome situation prompted efforts to purchase the property.
On April 1, 1925, the California Tennis Club took possession of the entire block and all its improvements for $175,000. Bonds sold to members, initiation fees from prospective members, and a bank loan allowed the Club to purchase, build new courts, grandstands, and a new clubhouse in 1926. The existing exterior wall that faces Scott and Bush Streets was part of the construction in 1926.
Between 1956 and 1963, the Club removed a portion of the grandstands and constructed modern locker rooms, the second floor bar, lounge, and dining room. The upstairs area proved an instant success, providing space for special events, and encouraged members to spend more social time at the Club.
In 1987 the Club removed the remaining grandstands and built the two-story structure that borders court one with pro shop, offices, the 1st floor hallway, and 2nd floor lounge and junior room. In 1988, amid great controversy about the extravagance of adding a parking facility, members approved the parking garage construction, completed in 1989. In 2009, in the midst of a financial meltdown, the Club undertook a renovation of the area east of the dining room, including locker rooms, gym, and bathrooms.
Today, Cal Club members take loving care of the property at 1770 Scott Street, with regularly scheduled court resurfacing, facility maintenance, and scheduled interior redecorating to ensure that members enjoy the Club for generations to come.