WCC has a rich history in our community.
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As we begin our 100th year, explore our beginnings and roots with us and celebrate our legacy.
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Suzanne Gutierrez visited the WCC October meeting to give me a history on early Carlsbad & the role of the Woman's Club of Carlsbad in its growth & development. Suzanne shown here with Helen Maloney, WCC Historian.
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Did you know?
In 1925, Mrs. Mark Coffin, Mrs. P.J. Weldon, Mrs. William Maxwell, and Mrs. E.H. Hubbard came together to expand their horizons with the formation of an intellectual study and social group. They soon drew a nucleus of 35 other women to meet regularly at the Union Church.
In seven months, they formed a constitution and bylaws to be written and officers to be elected to form a Federated Woman’s Club. Within a year of their first meeting, they paid $475 for two lots across from the Carlsbad Elementary School at the corner of Fourth (Elm Ave.*) and Pine St.
In June of 1928, The Carlsbad Woman’s Club, now 200 strong, moved into its own building at Fourth (Elm Ave.) and Pine St, dedicating themselves anew to civic and social betterment. They campaigned for more trees for downtown streets and compensation for disabled veterans of World War I.
In December of 1931, the spacious Spanish-style clubhouse had to be sold due to The Great Depression. It was sold to the Carlsbad School District for $4,522.
The women went back to meeting in homes and churches until six years later when the economy had recovered sufficiently for them to, once again, save for a new club home. The little house they built at the corner of Elm Ave. and Third St. was dedicated on December 8, 1937.
*Elm Ave. was renamed Carlsbad Village Drive in 1990.
In 1925, Mrs. Mark Coffin, Mrs. P.J. Weldon, Mrs. William Maxwell, and Mrs. E.H. Hubbard came together to expand their horizons with the formation of an intellectual study and social group. They soon drew a nucleus of 35 other women to meet regularly at the Union Church.
In seven months, they formed a constitution and bylaws to be written and officers to be elected to form a Federated Woman’s Club. Within a year of their first meeting, they paid $475 for two lots across from the Carlsbad Elementary School at the corner of Fourth (Elm Ave.*) and Pine St.
In June of 1928, The Carlsbad Woman’s Club, now 200 strong, moved into its own building at Fourth (Elm Ave.) and Pine St, dedicating themselves anew to civic and social betterment. They campaigned for more trees for downtown streets and compensation for disabled veterans of World War I.
In December of 1931, the spacious Spanish-style clubhouse had to be sold due to The Great Depression. It was sold to the Carlsbad School District for $4,522.
The women went back to meeting in homes and churches until six years later when the economy had recovered sufficiently for them to, once again, save for a new club home. The little house they built at the corner of Elm Ave. and Third St. was dedicated on December 8, 1937.
*Elm Ave. was renamed Carlsbad Village Drive in 1990.
1920's-1930's
In 1928, four years after forming the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad, these outstanding women had acquired their first clubhouse. They were able to purchase two lots on 4th and Pine. The stucco-style hacienda clubhouse was built. The membership grew from the original 16 members to 100 members by 1930. At the completion of the building, the public was invited for an informal opening. Over 200 people attended. The population of Carlsbad was 600 at this time. Then “The World Depression” hit. We, in our present day, have no experience with something so devastating. The city of Carlsbad almost did not survive. Club members moved away and could no longer maintain their membership. Without funds, selling their beloved clubhouse was the only solution. They sold their beloved first clubhouse to the Carlsbad School for $4,500. The clubhouse was picked up and transported across the street to become the school’s new auditorium and cafeteria. That decision and the loss of the clubhouse stayed with them for many years to come and influenced their decisions in the future. They participated in a food co-op for the town. In a quote from a member at that time, Vina Hankins, “When the depression hit, it hit hard like a ton of bricks. My husband was a pensioner from the Spanish American War, and our pensions were taken away, the government had no money. The co-op saved us." Even Mrs. Kelly made butter to exchange for anything she could trade for. “You would not have believed that this was actually happening in our country in the 1930s.”
By the end of the '30s, members started to return, and new members joined. The club was rebounding. They were busy. Woman's Club members approached Mrs. Julia Shipley, a member, to sell to the Woman’s Club, at a reduced amount, the property across the street from her house. Her house was and is today the Magee House. These women were so invested in their community and its safety that they were going to purchase this property for a fire station with their own money! In her generosity, Mrs. Shipley donated the land for the very first volunteer fire station. Up to that point Carlsbad had to rely on the Oceanside Fire Department. The land had to be in the name of the California Forestry because Carlsbad had not yet been incorporated. In 1937 plans for a new clubhouse were presented. Two contractor bids were received to build the clubhouse. The contract was given to Tine Richards, and the cornerstone of the new clubhouse was laid at the corner of Elm (Carlsbad Village Drive) and Madison. On December 8, 1937, the women held their first meeting in the NEW clubhouse. It very quickly became a center for community activities and socials as well as new events for the Carlsbad women. 1942 brought World War II. The generosity of the club members was once again evident, and they opened the clubhouse to the Red Cross, the Civil Defense and First Aid, with members participating in these activities. The women of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad helped our community during this time with service, support, entertainment and love for the community.
Woman’s Club of Carlsbad ~ the 1920's - 1930’s
By the end of the '30s, members started to return, and new members joined. The club was rebounding. They were busy. Woman's Club members approached Mrs. Julia Shipley, a member, to sell to the Woman’s Club, at a reduced amount, the property across the street from her house. Her house was and is today the Magee House. These women were so invested in their community and its safety that they were going to purchase this property for a fire station with their own money! In her generosity, Mrs. Shipley donated the land for the very first volunteer fire station. Up to that point Carlsbad had to rely on the Oceanside Fire Department. The land had to be in the name of the California Forestry because Carlsbad had not yet been incorporated. In 1937 plans for a new clubhouse were presented. Two contractor bids were received to build the clubhouse. The contract was given to Tine Richards, and the cornerstone of the new clubhouse was laid at the corner of Elm (Carlsbad Village Drive) and Madison. On December 8, 1937, the women held their first meeting in the NEW clubhouse. It very quickly became a center for community activities and socials as well as new events for the Carlsbad women. 1942 brought World War II. The generosity of the club members was once again evident, and they opened the clubhouse to the Red Cross, the Civil Defense and First Aid, with members participating in these activities. The women of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad helped our community during this time with service, support, entertainment and love for the community.
Woman’s Club of Carlsbad ~ the 1920's - 1930’s
Moving the clubhouse
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The second clubhouse
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1937-1945
Our goal has been reached, we have a home again, attractive and comfortable, for our club.” This was the sentiment expressed by Club President, Florence Little, when they opened the doors of the new clubhouse on December 6, 1937, located on Madison & Elm (Carlsbad Village Drive.)
“The only monuments that endure are those that are built in the hearts of friends,”
Florence Little continued, in thanking the many people that helped the clubhouse become their new home, specifically the building contractor B. T. Richards.
The landscaping and care of the new clubhouse was enhanced by the recently formed Carlsbad Garden Club, which is still in existence today. After the original clubhouse was sold during the Depression, ladies were meeting in each other’s homes, and some of the women formed the Garden Club to continue the friendships and further the floral expertise of Carlsbad.
Although they had a new clubhouse, the emphasis on their “building fund” was continuous and extremely important. This fund was supported by their luncheons, dance socials, book club, speakers’ presentations, concerts by members or invited guests, traveling card parties, theater/play presentations, poetry readings, holiday parties, and more.
A pride and joy of the women was when they were asked to participate at the brand-new location for the San Diego Fair, in Del Mar. As Vina Hankins shares, “The County Fair was to be held in Del Mar, which was a wasteland. Nothing had been done, not a racetrack or anything, just wasteland. And the supervisors decided to have a county fair there in a new location.” The ladies were asked to prepare a booth display and man the booth for the week, showing off vegetables, avocados, and flowers. “Well, the Woman’s Club went down to the slough and created the most beautiful display. I mustn’t forget Mrs. Florence Magee, because she furnished transportation. She took us down every day and she had wonderful ideas,” states Vina Hankins. This began many years of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad participating in the Del Mar Fair, representing the City of Carlsbad.
In 1940, the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad and the Oceanside Woman’s Club co-hosted the second largest bridge tournament in the state of California. The tournament drew over 500 participants from Los Angeles, Hollywood, and from all over San Diego County. They also had tables for competitive Chinese checkers and pinochle. The tournament was hosted at the Carlsbad Hotel and was a grand success, awarding wonderful prizes, and making quite a bit of money for their building fund.
Many of the men were answering the military call. Monthly meetings began to focus on educational speakers regarding finances, business law, property rights, women’s rights, and responsibilities. They felt strongly about educating their members in worldly matters, and they became a valuable source for education. Since women were finding a place in the national defense plan, the need was felt for reviewing the many areas of study to prepare them for higher positions. The Woman’s Club provided programs about adult education, hosting the principal of the evening high school and the dean of the junior college to present their programs to the membership.
During this time, the Red Cross provided classes on bandage making, injury care and first aid. The women also made clothing for servicemen’s children in need. The Woman’s Club donated to the Red Cross, the Blood Bank and hosted fundraisers to purchase War Bonds. These club women not only provided education for their members and instilled the desire to improve, but still maintained their wonderful functions, being the “social hub” of Carlsbad.
April 11, 1945 was “Charter Member’s” day, celebrating 20 years of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad. Thirteen of the original thirty-six charter members were honored: Mrs. L. C. Alles, Mrs. C. W. Billups, Mrs. R. G. Chase, Mrs. Mark Coffin, Mrs. F. D. Fraser, Mrs. Luther Gage, Mrs. C. D. McClellen, Mrs. Jed Minot, Mrs. A. Schuette, Mrs. Darrell Welsh, Mrs. P. J. Wheldon, Miss Sarah Troutman, Miss Marion Holmes.
In August 1947, the Civics Committee of the Woman’s Club asked that all members of the club join together to protest the bisecting of the city by the proposed freeway. Asking the members to write to the governor, asking him to take an interest in the project, postpone the building of the freeway until the funds were available to relocate the freeway east of Carlsbad. These women had the foresight to see the potential damage to the community and reduced property values if the freeway was allowed to be built through the middle of Carlsbad and bisect our community.
We admire the women from our past for their tenacity and commitment to their community. And we see that this still exists today, the women of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad are continuing this heritage.
“The only monuments that endure are those that are built in the hearts of friends,”
Florence Little continued, in thanking the many people that helped the clubhouse become their new home, specifically the building contractor B. T. Richards.
The landscaping and care of the new clubhouse was enhanced by the recently formed Carlsbad Garden Club, which is still in existence today. After the original clubhouse was sold during the Depression, ladies were meeting in each other’s homes, and some of the women formed the Garden Club to continue the friendships and further the floral expertise of Carlsbad.
Although they had a new clubhouse, the emphasis on their “building fund” was continuous and extremely important. This fund was supported by their luncheons, dance socials, book club, speakers’ presentations, concerts by members or invited guests, traveling card parties, theater/play presentations, poetry readings, holiday parties, and more.
A pride and joy of the women was when they were asked to participate at the brand-new location for the San Diego Fair, in Del Mar. As Vina Hankins shares, “The County Fair was to be held in Del Mar, which was a wasteland. Nothing had been done, not a racetrack or anything, just wasteland. And the supervisors decided to have a county fair there in a new location.” The ladies were asked to prepare a booth display and man the booth for the week, showing off vegetables, avocados, and flowers. “Well, the Woman’s Club went down to the slough and created the most beautiful display. I mustn’t forget Mrs. Florence Magee, because she furnished transportation. She took us down every day and she had wonderful ideas,” states Vina Hankins. This began many years of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad participating in the Del Mar Fair, representing the City of Carlsbad.
In 1940, the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad and the Oceanside Woman’s Club co-hosted the second largest bridge tournament in the state of California. The tournament drew over 500 participants from Los Angeles, Hollywood, and from all over San Diego County. They also had tables for competitive Chinese checkers and pinochle. The tournament was hosted at the Carlsbad Hotel and was a grand success, awarding wonderful prizes, and making quite a bit of money for their building fund.
Many of the men were answering the military call. Monthly meetings began to focus on educational speakers regarding finances, business law, property rights, women’s rights, and responsibilities. They felt strongly about educating their members in worldly matters, and they became a valuable source for education. Since women were finding a place in the national defense plan, the need was felt for reviewing the many areas of study to prepare them for higher positions. The Woman’s Club provided programs about adult education, hosting the principal of the evening high school and the dean of the junior college to present their programs to the membership.
During this time, the Red Cross provided classes on bandage making, injury care and first aid. The women also made clothing for servicemen’s children in need. The Woman’s Club donated to the Red Cross, the Blood Bank and hosted fundraisers to purchase War Bonds. These club women not only provided education for their members and instilled the desire to improve, but still maintained their wonderful functions, being the “social hub” of Carlsbad.
April 11, 1945 was “Charter Member’s” day, celebrating 20 years of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad. Thirteen of the original thirty-six charter members were honored: Mrs. L. C. Alles, Mrs. C. W. Billups, Mrs. R. G. Chase, Mrs. Mark Coffin, Mrs. F. D. Fraser, Mrs. Luther Gage, Mrs. C. D. McClellen, Mrs. Jed Minot, Mrs. A. Schuette, Mrs. Darrell Welsh, Mrs. P. J. Wheldon, Miss Sarah Troutman, Miss Marion Holmes.
In August 1947, the Civics Committee of the Woman’s Club asked that all members of the club join together to protest the bisecting of the city by the proposed freeway. Asking the members to write to the governor, asking him to take an interest in the project, postpone the building of the freeway until the funds were available to relocate the freeway east of Carlsbad. These women had the foresight to see the potential damage to the community and reduced property values if the freeway was allowed to be built through the middle of Carlsbad and bisect our community.
We admire the women from our past for their tenacity and commitment to their community. And we see that this still exists today, the women of the Woman’s Club of Carlsbad are continuing this heritage.
