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.
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
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.
Carlsbad Time Lines Carlsbad, California,
(Republished from Carlsbad Historical Society newsletter)
Next year the Carlsbad Woman’s Club will celebrate their 100th anniversary. Established in April 1925, the current membership asked that I provide a brief snapshot of life in Carlsbad during the 1920s. The following was presented during their October membership meeting.
“Historical events never occur in a vacuum. In order to understand the significance and impact to Carlsbad residents when the Women’s Club was established, we need to take a step back and look at what 1920 Carlsbad was like, why it was that way, and what changes the club provided. As we know, Carlsbad has a rich indigenous history. Archeological artifacts found such as the California State prehistoric stone bear, indicate that native people migrated through our area for at least 6,000 years. Later indigenous groups that occupied what is now known as the geographical borders of Carlsbad were the Kummeyaay and the Luiseños. Both groups were migratory, with no fixed settlements. The area that was Carlsbad in the 1920s had been inhabited by the Luiseño.
Spanish missionaries and military arrived during the 1769 Sacred Expedition and they did not find fixed structures, roads or established farming. San Diego County was a blank slate, very different from what Spain encountered during other expeditions in the Americas. Spain’s first mission was in San Diego. And they went on to establish other missions throughout California before returning to San Diego County and founding Mission San Luis Rey in 1798. The Spanish missions created a system whereby all land in Alta California, of which San Diego County pertains, belonged to the missions. The only small towns that arose near missions were mainly inhabited by Presidio soldiers and their families.
It wasn’t until after Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 that former mission lands were divided into ranchos, and individuals were able to own property. What did this mean for Carlsbad? Simply put, just the establishment of Rancho Agua Hedionda. Things were rustic, distant, and still lacking in basic infrastructure of roads, schools , stores, and other services. Ranchos were far apart, and people were few. 1 When California became part of the US, and Americans started to arrive in 1848, everyday life started to change. Towns such as San Diego started to grow with the influx of former soldiers, and people traveling to and from the gold country earning money and returning to San Diego county starting businesses. A brief lull occurred during the American Civil War, when many men were serving in the military.
Around 1866 health spas and “taking the waters” became the thing to do to combat ailments. This coincides with many civil war veterans seeking relief from ailments incurred during the war. When John Frazier sunk his famous wells along the 1883 coastal rail lines that connected San Diego to points north, this made the creation of a town feasible. By 1886 the Carlsbad Land and Water Company had purchased land along the rail lines, with the intent of establishing a town with small plots suitable only for building a home, and creating a spa town. The water from the wells in town were the draw to a newly built health spa hotel, and viable ways to make a living revolved around goods and services aimed at this one industry. It was a tremendous task creating a town out of vacant land. Keep in mind, this was an area that was being built upon land that had never had any infrastructure. Roads were plowed dirt, eucalyptus trees were planted and marked out the few downtown streets. By 1890 a drought had people abandoning Carlsbad property.
In 1906 the South Coast Land and Water Company purchased the remaining Carlsbad Land and Water Company property and focused on expanding the opportunities of people to resettle in Carlsbad. Between 1906 and 1914, they laid water pipes and created larger parcels of land for farming which created a more reliable way to make a living. This in turn gave rise to an influx of residents migrating from established areas of the country where roads, and government assistance, medical and schools were established. At the beginning it was mainly growers, those who focused on planting avocado and subtropical groves. By 1916, Carlsbad was on the path to becoming an avocado industry when Sam Thompson planted his first trees.
So what spurred the creation of the Woman’s Club in 1925? Let’s take a look at what Carlsbad didn’t have at the beginning of 1920 and what the new residents encountered upon arrival. There were no fire, police, parks, libraries, or other government services; one church, no sanitation or sewage disposal, no secondary education or a reliable workforce. Roads were unpaved dirt, and the direct connection to Oceanside was across the Buena Vista Lagoon at low tide on a wooden boardwalk.
The 1920s really begins the modern establishment of the town we know today. The influx of new residents put a glaring spotlight on what was lacking and created a volunteer community to meet the needs of residents. The national prohibition began in 1920, and with this new law Carlsbad saw an increase in traffic from LA to Tijuana. The avocado, subtropical and floral industry was taking firm hold. “Gentleman farmers” were buying land and moving into town and farm workers were arriving from Mexico.
When Sally Troutman and Marion Holmes moved to Carlsbad and began a Children’s Sunday School in 1922, their action spurred the development of the Carlsbad Union Church which formed 2 years later. The church motto, “In the heart of the community with the community at heart”, in turn became the genesis of the Carlsbad Women’s Club. A year later in 1923, Roy Chase, a transplanted Mid Westerner, started the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. This group became the de facto local government for Carlsbad. This group took a firm hand in supplying solutions for the needs of the residents and business community. State Street became the business district that supported the farmers' needs, and was conveniently located near the train depot, the site of all imports and exports for the farmers. By 1924, a gentleman builder named La Betta arrived, and built housing for the Barrio Carlos Workers. These $500 wooden houses near rail lines had no running water or electricity. Wesleyan missionaries soon arrive to support the resident farm workers. The Spencer’s and 3 years later the Henleys supplied help to the residents of this barrio, offering first hand help to families. Even to the point of taking in semi orphaned children. Why? Simply because there was no government agency to help.
By 1925, the year the Woman’s Club was established, the business/farming groups had begun the Avocado Day celebration hosted on State Street. The Carlsbad Champion, later named the Carlsbad Journal was founded and one of the founding members of the Woman’s Club, Mrs. Maxwell, was the wife of the newspaper publisher and editor. Most assuredly her understanding of the needs of the community helped advocate for more societal responsibilities aligned with medical and educational focus as well as recreational pursuits for the residents. With the 1927 realignment of the State Highway that bypassed downtown businesses and the aggressive building of the large commercial structures, the Red Apple Inn, and the Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel, Carlsbad started to connect with the outside world in a more modern way. And the Woman’s Club was ready and willing to meet the changing needs by filling in the gaps.”
(Republished from Carlsbad Historical Society newsletter)
Next year the Carlsbad Woman’s Club will celebrate their 100th anniversary. Established in April 1925, the current membership asked that I provide a brief snapshot of life in Carlsbad during the 1920s. The following was presented during their October membership meeting.
“Historical events never occur in a vacuum. In order to understand the significance and impact to Carlsbad residents when the Women’s Club was established, we need to take a step back and look at what 1920 Carlsbad was like, why it was that way, and what changes the club provided. As we know, Carlsbad has a rich indigenous history. Archeological artifacts found such as the California State prehistoric stone bear, indicate that native people migrated through our area for at least 6,000 years. Later indigenous groups that occupied what is now known as the geographical borders of Carlsbad were the Kummeyaay and the Luiseños. Both groups were migratory, with no fixed settlements. The area that was Carlsbad in the 1920s had been inhabited by the Luiseño.
Spanish missionaries and military arrived during the 1769 Sacred Expedition and they did not find fixed structures, roads or established farming. San Diego County was a blank slate, very different from what Spain encountered during other expeditions in the Americas. Spain’s first mission was in San Diego. And they went on to establish other missions throughout California before returning to San Diego County and founding Mission San Luis Rey in 1798. The Spanish missions created a system whereby all land in Alta California, of which San Diego County pertains, belonged to the missions. The only small towns that arose near missions were mainly inhabited by Presidio soldiers and their families.
It wasn’t until after Mexican independence from Spain in 1821 that former mission lands were divided into ranchos, and individuals were able to own property. What did this mean for Carlsbad? Simply put, just the establishment of Rancho Agua Hedionda. Things were rustic, distant, and still lacking in basic infrastructure of roads, schools , stores, and other services. Ranchos were far apart, and people were few. 1 When California became part of the US, and Americans started to arrive in 1848, everyday life started to change. Towns such as San Diego started to grow with the influx of former soldiers, and people traveling to and from the gold country earning money and returning to San Diego county starting businesses. A brief lull occurred during the American Civil War, when many men were serving in the military.
Around 1866 health spas and “taking the waters” became the thing to do to combat ailments. This coincides with many civil war veterans seeking relief from ailments incurred during the war. When John Frazier sunk his famous wells along the 1883 coastal rail lines that connected San Diego to points north, this made the creation of a town feasible. By 1886 the Carlsbad Land and Water Company had purchased land along the rail lines, with the intent of establishing a town with small plots suitable only for building a home, and creating a spa town. The water from the wells in town were the draw to a newly built health spa hotel, and viable ways to make a living revolved around goods and services aimed at this one industry. It was a tremendous task creating a town out of vacant land. Keep in mind, this was an area that was being built upon land that had never had any infrastructure. Roads were plowed dirt, eucalyptus trees were planted and marked out the few downtown streets. By 1890 a drought had people abandoning Carlsbad property.
In 1906 the South Coast Land and Water Company purchased the remaining Carlsbad Land and Water Company property and focused on expanding the opportunities of people to resettle in Carlsbad. Between 1906 and 1914, they laid water pipes and created larger parcels of land for farming which created a more reliable way to make a living. This in turn gave rise to an influx of residents migrating from established areas of the country where roads, and government assistance, medical and schools were established. At the beginning it was mainly growers, those who focused on planting avocado and subtropical groves. By 1916, Carlsbad was on the path to becoming an avocado industry when Sam Thompson planted his first trees.
So what spurred the creation of the Woman’s Club in 1925? Let’s take a look at what Carlsbad didn’t have at the beginning of 1920 and what the new residents encountered upon arrival. There were no fire, police, parks, libraries, or other government services; one church, no sanitation or sewage disposal, no secondary education or a reliable workforce. Roads were unpaved dirt, and the direct connection to Oceanside was across the Buena Vista Lagoon at low tide on a wooden boardwalk.
The 1920s really begins the modern establishment of the town we know today. The influx of new residents put a glaring spotlight on what was lacking and created a volunteer community to meet the needs of residents. The national prohibition began in 1920, and with this new law Carlsbad saw an increase in traffic from LA to Tijuana. The avocado, subtropical and floral industry was taking firm hold. “Gentleman farmers” were buying land and moving into town and farm workers were arriving from Mexico.
When Sally Troutman and Marion Holmes moved to Carlsbad and began a Children’s Sunday School in 1922, their action spurred the development of the Carlsbad Union Church which formed 2 years later. The church motto, “In the heart of the community with the community at heart”, in turn became the genesis of the Carlsbad Women’s Club. A year later in 1923, Roy Chase, a transplanted Mid Westerner, started the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce. This group became the de facto local government for Carlsbad. This group took a firm hand in supplying solutions for the needs of the residents and business community. State Street became the business district that supported the farmers' needs, and was conveniently located near the train depot, the site of all imports and exports for the farmers. By 1924, a gentleman builder named La Betta arrived, and built housing for the Barrio Carlos Workers. These $500 wooden houses near rail lines had no running water or electricity. Wesleyan missionaries soon arrive to support the resident farm workers. The Spencer’s and 3 years later the Henleys supplied help to the residents of this barrio, offering first hand help to families. Even to the point of taking in semi orphaned children. Why? Simply because there was no government agency to help.
By 1925, the year the Woman’s Club was established, the business/farming groups had begun the Avocado Day celebration hosted on State Street. The Carlsbad Champion, later named the Carlsbad Journal was founded and one of the founding members of the Woman’s Club, Mrs. Maxwell, was the wife of the newspaper publisher and editor. Most assuredly her understanding of the needs of the community helped advocate for more societal responsibilities aligned with medical and educational focus as well as recreational pursuits for the residents. With the 1927 realignment of the State Highway that bypassed downtown businesses and the aggressive building of the large commercial structures, the Red Apple Inn, and the Carlsbad Mineral Springs Hotel, Carlsbad started to connect with the outside world in a more modern way. And the Woman’s Club was ready and willing to meet the changing needs by filling in the gaps.”
Woman’s Club by Marge Howard-Jones
In a town of farmers and small business owners, it was the women who decided there were other things to think about. They talked about it over tea at each other’s home, then moved to church halls and schools to accommodate their growing numbers. It was after they had moved into a small house that they felt ready to establish their community identity. They contacted a local architect who had trained with Frank Lloyd Wright and described in detail just what they wanted…ranch style exterior, quarry tile floors in the foyer, a stage for music and dramatic performances and a patio for informal gatherings. It was announced that it was to be a Woman’s (not Women’s) Club. Once built, they provided a venue for lectures, concerts, civic ceremonies, weddings and memorials. It was where everyone’s face was familiar…the only game in town. This was nearly 100 years ago, when husbands worked and women kept house and tended children…and had the time and energy to enlarge their lives through the sharing of ideas..and community service. It was these women who organized community pot-lucks and fund drives that provided the town’s social life…volunteering was what they did, for fun or fulfillment, or companionship. It was also the means for others to become involved in the local scene. 3 Today the Woman’s Club is mostly dark…a rental venue for individual events, its original purpose long replaced by the rewards of careers and other diversions. Women are still the catalysts for community activities but the town is now a city and we are not so dependent on our near environment for enrichment. Loneliness may now be a social dilemma of concern, but the ideals and ambitions of the Woman’s Club to bring people together are even more valuable than its founders could have imagined.
In a town of farmers and small business owners, it was the women who decided there were other things to think about. They talked about it over tea at each other’s home, then moved to church halls and schools to accommodate their growing numbers. It was after they had moved into a small house that they felt ready to establish their community identity. They contacted a local architect who had trained with Frank Lloyd Wright and described in detail just what they wanted…ranch style exterior, quarry tile floors in the foyer, a stage for music and dramatic performances and a patio for informal gatherings. It was announced that it was to be a Woman’s (not Women’s) Club. Once built, they provided a venue for lectures, concerts, civic ceremonies, weddings and memorials. It was where everyone’s face was familiar…the only game in town. This was nearly 100 years ago, when husbands worked and women kept house and tended children…and had the time and energy to enlarge their lives through the sharing of ideas..and community service. It was these women who organized community pot-lucks and fund drives that provided the town’s social life…volunteering was what they did, for fun or fulfillment, or companionship. It was also the means for others to become involved in the local scene. 3 Today the Woman’s Club is mostly dark…a rental venue for individual events, its original purpose long replaced by the rewards of careers and other diversions. Women are still the catalysts for community activities but the town is now a city and we are not so dependent on our near environment for enrichment. Loneliness may now be a social dilemma of concern, but the ideals and ambitions of the Woman’s Club to bring people together are even more valuable than its founders could have imagined.