Alta Club: Difference between revisions
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===Foundation=== |
===Foundation=== |
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In October, 1881 a letter was sent to 100 prospective members, detailing terms of membership as $100 as a membership fee and $5 monthly dues. The letter was signed by W.S. McCornick, the club's first president. Of note was that the letter was only sent to non-Mormons, including two Jewish businessmen in the area, F.H. Auerbach and A. Hanauer. It was reasoned that the club, representing English ideals, would have, "a card room, a bar stocked with the finest liquors and wines available in the territory, a tobacco stand with the best cigars, and a dining room under orders to serve the best food in the city and the best steaks in the territory."<ref>{{cite book |title=The Alta Club: 1883-1974 |first=O. N. |last=Malmquist |location=Salt Lake City |publisher=Privately published |origyear=1974 |edition=2nd |date=1998 |page=3}}</ref> Such an environment would not be acceptable to Mormon members, so it was assumed they would not join. However, no formal rule was issued to bar Mormons from joining. |
In October, 1881 a letter was sent to 100 prospective members, detailing terms of membership as $100 as a membership fee and $5 monthly dues. The letter was signed by W.S. McCornick, the club's first president. Of note was that the letter was only sent to non-Mormons, including two Jewish businessmen in the area, F.H. Auerbach and A. Hanauer. It was reasoned that the club, representing English ideals, would have, "a card room, a bar stocked with the finest liquors and wines available in the territory, a tobacco stand with the best cigars, and a dining room under orders to serve the best food in the city and the best steaks in the territory."<ref>{{cite book |title=The Alta Club: 1883-1974 |first=O. N. |last=Malmquist |location=Salt Lake City |publisher=Privately published |origyear=1974 |edition=2nd |date=1998 |page=3}}</ref> Such an environment would not be acceptable to Mormon members, so it was assumed they would not join. However, no formal rule was issued to bar Mormons from joining, and there are now many Mormon members. |
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On March 3, 1883, 81 charter members formally signed the Alta Club Articles of Incorporation. An opening ceremony was held in [[Liberty Park]]. In addition to the 81 charter members, in attendance was [[Wilford Woodruff]], a later president of the [[LDS Church]], and Utah territorial Governor [[Eli H. Murray]]. The club took up its first residence in the Alta Block, located at 21 West 200 South.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Alta Club: 1883-1974 |first=O. N. |last=Malmquist |location=Salt Lake City |publisher=Privately published |origyear=1974 |edition=2nd |date=1998 |page=23}}</ref> In 1892, the Alta Club moved to the top floor of the newly constructed Dooly Block at 109 West 2nd South, which was designed by architect [[Louis Sullivan]] of Chicago (Adler and Sullivan).<ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Kland |url=http://saltlakearchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/03/dooly-building.html |title=Dooly Building |date=23 April 2009 |website=Salt Lake Architecture}}</ref> |
On March 3, 1883, 81 charter members formally signed the Alta Club Articles of Incorporation. An opening ceremony was held in [[Liberty Park]]. In addition to the 81 charter members, in attendance was [[Wilford Woodruff]], a later president of the [[LDS Church]], and Utah territorial Governor [[Eli H. Murray]]. The club took up its first residence in the Alta Block, located at 21 West 200 South.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Alta Club: 1883-1974 |first=O. N. |last=Malmquist |location=Salt Lake City |publisher=Privately published |origyear=1974 |edition=2nd |date=1998 |page=23}}</ref> In 1892, the Alta Club moved to the top floor of the newly constructed Dooly Block at 109 West 2nd South, which was designed by architect [[Louis Sullivan]] of Chicago (Adler and Sullivan).<ref>{{cite web |first=Jonathan |last=Kland |url=http://saltlakearchitecture.blogspot.com/2009/03/dooly-building.html |title=Dooly Building |date=23 April 2009 |website=Salt Lake Architecture}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 20:49, 13 September 2013
The Alta Club is a private social gentlemen's club in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, named for a local mining district. It was founded in 1883, 13 years before Utah's accession as a state, and currently[when?] boasts 630 members.[contradictory] The Alta Club serves as a forum for business development and social interaction, and offers facilities for dining, social events, and business meetings.
The Clubhouse is located at 100 East South Temple.
History
The Alta Club was founded on March 3, 1883 in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah as a club for non-Mormon business leaders to congregate and socialize. During the 1870s, rapid economic growth in the Utah mining industry had led to the creation of a new social elite among Utah's business men, many of whom were not Mormon. As mining and smelting leaders congregated in bars, word got out among the leaders that there was an influential group of men meeting and making business decisions. Membership grew throughout the 1870s to include industry and bank leaders, and suppliers of machinery to industry. In the early 1880s the idea to form a gentlemen's club such as those back east and in England was floated among the group.
Foundation
In October, 1881 a letter was sent to 100 prospective members, detailing terms of membership as $100 as a membership fee and $5 monthly dues. The letter was signed by W.S. McCornick, the club's first president. Of note was that the letter was only sent to non-Mormons, including two Jewish businessmen in the area, F.H. Auerbach and A. Hanauer. It was reasoned that the club, representing English ideals, would have, "a card room, a bar stocked with the finest liquors and wines available in the territory, a tobacco stand with the best cigars, and a dining room under orders to serve the best food in the city and the best steaks in the territory."[1] Such an environment would not be acceptable to Mormon members, so it was assumed they would not join. However, no formal rule was issued to bar Mormons from joining, and there are now many Mormon members.
On March 3, 1883, 81 charter members formally signed the Alta Club Articles of Incorporation. An opening ceremony was held in Liberty Park. In addition to the 81 charter members, in attendance was Wilford Woodruff, a later president of the LDS Church, and Utah territorial Governor Eli H. Murray. The club took up its first residence in the Alta Block, located at 21 West 200 South.[2] In 1892, the Alta Club moved to the top floor of the newly constructed Dooly Block at 109 West 2nd South, which was designed by architect Louis Sullivan of Chicago (Adler and Sullivan).[3]
New Clubhouse
After collecting dues for several years and adding to its membership roster, the club built a new building on the corner of 100 East South Temple. They occupied the building on June 1, 1898. As time progressed, the Alta Club grew in stature and in membership. In 1910, the building was expanded with an East wing to bring it to its present size. The old main entrance facing South Temple was turned into the woman's and guest's entrance, and the main entrance moved to the North side of the building.[4] The club has operated out of this building since that time.
Great Depression
Along with many other industries and institutions the mining industry, long a major contributor to the affluence of the Alta Club, was hard hit by the depression of the 1930s. Consequently, the club suffered. During that time, however, new ways of club financing, including the installation of slot machines and the employment of Waldo L. Stewart as club manager rescued the club and put it on sound footing.[5]
Present day
In 1987, following a successful anti-discrimination lawsuit, a lot of late-night meetings by the ruling members, and the threat of losing its alcoholic beverage license, the Alta Club repealed its ban on non-widow women members. Deedee Corradini, then a Chamber of Commerce executive and later mayor of Salt Lake City; Genevieve Atwood, Utah State Geologist; and Annette P. Cumming, a prominent local Democrat and philanthropist, became the first female members. There are now[when?] more than 50 individual women members of the club. In 2008, the Alta Club elected Ceri Jones as their first female president.[6]
In 2001, a $4 million project was undertaken to completely renovate the clubhouse. No internal changes were made, and the spirit and decor of the Alta Club remained in traditional Arts & Crafts style. The guest rooms on the 3rd floor, closed since the 1950s due to noncompliance with fire codes, were completely overhauled and opened for guests again. This renovation allowed the French delegation to the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, held in Salt Lake City, to reside at the clubhouse.[7]
There is a 500 person cap on membership in the club.[contradictory] The cost of membership fees and dues are not publicly disclosed by the club but are reportedly $2000 for membership and $150 per month in dues. A Junior membership is available for individuals under the age of 35 at $1000 for membership and $50 per month in dues.[8]
Activities
The Alta Club currently[when?] offers a formal dining room, meeting and social rooms, a bar, a grill, card rooms, billiards, a member library, 20 guest rooms, and a fitness center. Special annual events include:
- New Years Reception, which as many as four to five hundred members have attended annually.
- The Annual Meeting, held on the first Saturday after January 1, features entertainment and a prominent keynote speaker. Officers and directors are elected at his meeting.
- St. Patrick's Day Party, in March, celebrates many of the Irish traditions of founding members.
- Easter Brunch and Dinners, attended annually by up to five hundred.
- 24 July Parade, guests stay in the club overnight and wake up to watch the Pioneer Day parade.
- Golf Tournament, held in September at the Salt Lake Country Club. The club has also held tennis and Gin Rummy tournaments.
- Halloween Party, often combined with a wine tasting event.
- Club Night, held monthly, features a special buffet, a guest speaker, and important club business is attended to.
Notable members
Today,[when?] the Alta Club membership includes 420 members.[contradictory] Notable members include:
See also
References
- ^ Malmquist, O. N. (1998) [1974]. The Alta Club: 1883-1974 (2nd ed.). Salt Lake City: Privately published. p. 3.
- ^ Malmquist, O. N. (1998) [1974]. The Alta Club: 1883-1974 (2nd ed.). Salt Lake City: Privately published. p. 23.
- ^ Kland, Jonathan (23 April 2009). "Dooly Building". Salt Lake Architecture.
- ^ "Building Stones of Downtown Salt Lake City, A Walking Tour". Utah Geological Survey. Utah Department of Natural Resources.
{{cite web}}:|chapter=ignored (help); External link in|chapterurl=|chapterurl=ignored (|chapter-url=suggested) (help) - ^ "Inventory of the Alta Club Papers". Special Collections. J. Willard Marriott Library. University of Utah.
{{cite web}}:|chapter=ignored (help); External link in|chapterurl=|chapterurl=ignored (|chapter-url=suggested) (help) - ^ Beebe, Paul (22 December 2007). "Alta's New Look". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City.
- ^ Knudson, Max (23 April 2001). "Alta Club is alive, well, getting renovation". Deseret News. Salt Lake City.
- ^ Blodgett, John (11 June 2007). "Alta Egos: Does Alta Club Membership Still Have Its Privileges?". News & Columns. Salt Lake City Weekly. Salt Lake City.