Racquet Club of Philadelphia
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| Philadelphia Racquet Club | |
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| U.S. National Register of Historic Places | |
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| Location: | 213-225 S. 16th St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Coordinates: | 39°56′55.9″N 75°10′4.74″W / 39.948861°N 75.1679833°W |
| Built/Founded: | 1906 |
| Architect: | Horace Trumbauer |
| Architectural style(s): | Colonial Revival, Other |
| Governing body: | Private |
| Added to NRHP: | August 1, 1979 |
| NRHP Reference#: | 79002326 [1] |
The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (RCOP) is Philadelphia, Pennsylvania's premiere squash, real tennis, and racquets facility.
Established in 1889, The Racquet Club of Philadelphia continues to be one of the most prestigious private city clubs in North America. The Club started its life in a modest facility at 923 Walnut Street. Under the leadership of George D. Widener, the current 16th Street Clubhouse was built by noted architect Horace Trumbauer. Historian Nathaniel Burt described the new 1907 Clubhouse as "by far the best appointed...of all Philadelphia clubs." The clubhouse is one of the first reinforced concrete structures designed in Philadelphia, and also includes the first above grade swimming pool, designed by the noted bridge builders, Roebling Construction Company. The building's red-brick, Georgian design, is evocative of historic Philadelphia, and the Clubhouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The Racquet Club's athletic facilities include 3 international squash singles courts, 1 squash doubles court, a real tennis court, a racquets court, and a fitness facility. The club also has overnight rooms for the use of members and sponsored guests, as well as a bar and serves lunch daily. The club is open to members 365 days a year. Located on 16th Street between Walnut and Locust, it is in the heart of Philadelphia's Rittenhouse Square area.
The club has hosted several international real tennis and racquets championships. It was once home to multiple national amateur U.S. champion Morris Clothier and national and world champion Jay Gould II.
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[edit] History
- Incorporated in 1889 by 22 prominent Philadelphians.
- The current facility was constructed in 1907.
- On August 1, 1979 it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
[edit] Trivia
- It has the world's first above ground-level swimming pool.
- Squash doubles was invented here by Frederick Thompkins, a professional seeking a use for a large open space in the club. The U.S. SQUASH Hall of Fame was briefly here until moving to Yale University.[2]
[edit] References
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. 2007-01-23. http://www.nr.nps.gov/.
- ^ http://www.ussquash.com/functions/content.aspx?id=1366
