Our History

Club History

May Celebration 1940

A group of women met in October 1904 for study and called themselves, “The History Class”. The meetings were held in the home of Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin on the corner of Fourth Street and Wilshire Boulevard. This class continued for ten weeks, and it was then decided to have a permanent organization and call it “Santa Monica Lecture Class.” Mrs. D.G. Stephens organized it and was made President; Miss McLaughlin, Secretary.

On December 11, 1905, the Woman’s Club of Santa Monica was born with eighty-eight members and the following officers elected: President - Mrs. Allen M. Jamieson; First Vice-President - Mrs. John Hunt; Second Vice-President - Mrs. George Hutton; Secretary - Miss Elizabeth McLaughlin; Treasurer - Mrs. Jessica R. Clark (Cornett). At this meeting, Mrs. Stephens presented a gavel to the New President. This gavel has been passed down through the years and is always used at each installation the first Monday in June.

Mon, Dec 23, 1946 Woman's Club Octette to perform at the Club's Cristmas Party from left to right: Mrs. Willoughby Williams (singing director), Mrs. Charles Warren, Mrs. H. W. Seiger, Mrs. Dorothy Murray, Mrs. Carl Danelson, Mrs. W. Elwood Smith, Mrs. Harry Scougall, Mrs. Earl M. Maxseiner, Mrs. J.K. McBride

The Club held its meetings in several public halls. Feeling the need of a permanent home, the Club appointed Mrs. G Wiley Wells to see Señora Arcadia Bandini de Baker and try to secure a site. As a result, two lots on the corner of Eleventh Street and Santa Monica Boulevard were given to the Club with the privilege of disposing of them if it seemed best to build elsewhere. Later a site was chosen at 1210 Fourth Street with a frontage of seventy-five feet. Mrs. S. J. Engleston raised money to help pay for this new site and the Eleventh Street lots were sold for to be used for a clubhouse fund.

With a suitable building site having been purchased, M. Henry Hollwedel drew up and provided the Club with plans for the new building. In December of 1913 the Club borrowed $10,000.00 from Pacific Mutual Life Insurance Company to finance the construction and Mr. Hollwedel supervised each stage of construction entirely free of charge. This generous gift to the Club was much appreciated by the membership. It was a grand day when the Club moved into the new building on Monday, October 5, 1914.

During the time the United States was involved in World War I, the clubwomen were able to make many contributions to the war effort.

The clubhouse was opened every Saturday night for eighteen months to accommodate the service men for dancing. It was also opened for members of the Red Cross to knit and sew, etc. The Club sponsored a Recruiting Station for Waves through the efforts of Mrs. Tracy Fewell and her assistants. The women served breakfast once a month at the U.S.O headquarters and sold defense bonds and stamps. The clubmembers made similar contributions to the war effort during World War II.

Oct 25, 1946 Harvest Festival; Mrs. Searle G. Nevius: "Kitchen chores are never done
but anything here will make it fun."

The Club’s philanthropies have been many and varied. The Needlework Guild has held ingatherings at the clubhouse since November 1919. Beginning in 1955, their monthly meetings were held in the clubhouse. The Well-Baby Clinic was organized in October of 1919 with Mrs. Harry B. Schultz as chairman. This important activity grew with the years. Dr. Frank J. Wagner was the first physician, followed by many others who all donated their services. Also, two trained nurses, Mrs. Edgar Heldman and Mrs. Marion Bowen, gave freely of their time and services. In 1950, they were both awarded honorary life membership. On April 1, 1950, the Juniors took over this great work and continued to carry on a very active program until 1958 when they moved the Well-Child Clinic from the clubhouse to the Santa Monica Hospital Clinic.

In 1920, the lot adjoining the clubhouse on the south was bought and in June of 1922, during the administration of Mrs. Frank Wagner, the original mortgage was burned.

Mother Stephens organized the Juniors in November 1923. The Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club sponsored the group since that date until they disbanded in 1972.

In 1923, the second lot south of the clubhouse, known as “The Cottage Lot”, was purchased. The Girl Scouts, organized June 7, 1926, were given free rent of the cottage for a number of years. In 1954, this cottage was sold and the lot was added to the parking area. In December of 1966, this same lot (known as “Lot E”) was sold under condemnation to the City of Santa Monica so that the City could build a parking structure.

The Elmira T. Stephens Student Loan Fund was established in 1927 to honor the Club’s founder. The fund was to be used by worthy students needing financial aid to continue their education. Elmira T. Stephens had come to Santa Monica in 1905 at the age of 67. When “Mother” Stephens passed away in 1935 at the age of 97, she left a heritage of noble deeds and memorable service in the communities where she had resided.

The Laura E. Hubbell Estate was left to the Club by a Charter Member, Mrs. Laura E. Hubbell, on August 16, 1937. This money was to be used in aiding indigent women of Santa Monica.

The Evening Section was organized in 1951 to accommodate the needs of women unable to attend day meetings because of employment or family obligations. The Chairman was made Fourth Vice-President of the Club. During their thirteen years of hard work they accumulated many valuable things: lace tablecloths, silver tea service, 40-cup coffee maker and a savings bond. They presented all these items to the Club when they disbanded in 1964.

In April 1961, a fire caused a great deal of damage to the auditorium stage: the drapes, concert grand piano and wiring were completely destroyed. This required much electrical work in the building to meet City regulations. The catastrophe was overcome at a great expense to the Club.

1954
Juniors of the SMBWC under the direction of philantropy director, Mrs. George Grieb, dressed dolls in original fashions. The dolls were packed with toys, games and clothing to be delivered to families in need.

Our Club joined the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs in 1910 and the California Federation of Women’s Clubs in 1923. The Club had been honored by having two members serve as president of the former Los Angeles District: Mrs. Adeline Lorbeer Herrick and Mrs. J. C. Urquhart. Mrs. Urquhart also served as State President from 1924 to 1926.

The California Federation of Women’s Clubs voted at its 1955 Convention to reorganize and adopt new Bylaws to become effective June 1, 1956. The final plan of reorganization was adopted at the 1956 Convention. This dispensed with Counties and provided for 26 districts. We are in District 18 which is composed of 26 clubs. Our district held its first convention on March 1, 1956 at our clubhouse. Bylaws were adopted and officers were elected. The new organization became effective on June 1, 1956 and the name “Marina” District 18 was selected.

1952; Mrs. Harvey B. Wilson (standing) and Mrs. Dwight B. Wilson displaying some hats what will be worn at the Musical Hat Show. On the hat box is one that represents the song, "The Bird On Nellie's Hat".

In April 1964, we were again honored when Mrs. A. Ben Ellery was elected to serve as president of Marina District 1964 to 1966. Mrs. Frederick Schott served as district president from 1985-1986 and prior to becoming a member of our Club, Mrs. William Ferrier served as district president from 1978 to 1980. This Club has also been honored by having several members serve as State Chairmen. Many of our members have also served as District Officers and innumerable members have served as District Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen. Each year we have received many awards at District and State Conventions for outstanding accomplishments in Federation Departments, (i.e., 26 awards in 1971 and 31 Service Awards and 15 Certificates of Recognition in 1972).

A new section, known as the “Self-Starters”, was organized in October 1963, under the leadership of Mrs. Harry Pawling. This group met on the fourth Wednesday for luncheon at the monthly Ways and Means Parties. After the luncheon they retired to the Lounge for an interesting program arranged for by Mrs. Pawling. The Club is greatly indebted to Jane Pawling for doing such an outstanding job.
In 1964, a great improvement was made in the clubhouse when the library was moved to the room formerly known as the “Clinic Room”, and the former library was furnished as a much needed lounge.

Monday, February 7, 1966, was a very exciting and interesting day when the Club “adopted” a Santa Monica platoon consisting of 33 Marine Corps Recruits.

1947; The Choraleers, to perform a skid titled "A Christmas Party" at a Christmas Party given for children and grandchildren of members. In the front Judy O'Connor, Tommy Seiger (the Club president's son) and Patsy Martin, her sister Linda Martin stands in the second row.

For many years our Creative Writing Section has been very active writing inspirationals, essays, plays and poems; in fact, all kinds of creative writing. Our members have received many honors from the Marina District Annual Festival of Fine Arts with first place, second place and third place awards. This is open to all interested members. We have hosted the Fine Arts Festival at our Club many times during our years of involvement.

For over five years we sponsored an art class open to, and for the cultural enrichment of interested members in our community. The proceeds were used for scholarships.

During the month of December 1968, we sponsored a Christmas Party in our auditorium for about eighty Indian children living in the Bay Area. We not only fed them all they could eat, but each one was given a toy. Also, we sent 970 pounds of Christmas cookies to servicemen in Vietnam. On May 19, 1969, “A Salute to the Armed Forces” program was held in our clubhouse with the five branches of service receiving recognition and awards were given to Vietnam heroes.

During the summer of 1970, though the efforts of the House Director, Mrs. Walter Young, the clubhouse was refurbished and redecorated which enhanced its beauty and increased our rentals.
In November 1970 our Club paid tribute to the Santa Monica Police Department with the presentation of a plaque to Chief Earl Reinbold. Many dignitaries were in attendance.

Our Armed Forces program was given on May 15, 1972 to honor for the first time our “Women” of the Armed Forces and those volunteers who serve in Veterans’ Hospitals. The Fort MacArthur Band played and a musical program was given by the Air Force Officers Wives.

We will long remember New Year’s Day in 1978, when the Thrifty Drug Store on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and Fourth Street burned to the ground. Our clubhouse was right next door and fortunately received only minor damage due to the valiant efforts of the Santa Monica Fire Department. We appreciate their dedication and bravery.

The Club received a transfer of a Home Savings & Loan Association certificate in the name of Frances D. Smothers as trustee for the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club. She was a member of the Club from September 1971 to December 1977. These funds were utilized in the payment of the exterior painting of the clubhouse by John Lehne & Son in December 1985.

The Club received a donation from the estate of Hazelle E. Kelly on July 9, 1985 to be used for scholarships to needy and deserving students in the Music Department of Santa Monica College. Hazelle was a member of the Club from February 1962 until April 1984.

Our history shows that through the years the Santa Monica Bay Woman’s Club had adhered to its object for existence: the advancement in all lines of culture, welfare, service and civic affairs.

Installation of Officers, Club Year 1952 - 1953; 5 ladies in center from left to right: 1st Vice-President and Program Chairman, Mrs. John R. Hatch
3rd Vice-President and Ways and Means Chairman, Mrs. Oliver Minear, President, Mrs. Paul R. Smith, 2nd Vice-President and Membership Chairman, Mrs. Alexander Heiman, 4th Vice-President and Evening Section Chairman, Mrs. Helen I. Clark