THE PACIFIC-UNION CLUB
HISTORY & PAST OFFICERS
Source: The Pacific -Union Club Constitution & Bylaws, Published by The Pacific-Union Club, San Francisco, California, May 1991.

The two clubs occupied a succession of locations in San Francisco. The decision to amalgamate resulted from the fact that many of the members belonged to both organizations, and each found its accomodations to be larger than its membership required.

The Pacific-Union Club was incorporated in 1881 and the consolidation took place in 1889. The Pacific Club then moved from the northeast corner of Post and Grant Avenue to leased premises on the northwest corner of Post and Stockton Streets where the Union Club was housed. In the Fall of 1904 the consolidated Club moved into its own new building on the northeast corner of Post and Stockton Streets. This building, with all the Club accounts and records, was destroyed in the earthquake and fire of 1906.

A month later the Directors asked each member to inform the Club of his present address and "the amount you estimate as due the Club from you on April 18. If nothing due, state the fact." Shortly thereafter the members were adivsed [sic.] that, contrary to certain published statements, "not only will an assessment not be necessary, but, if our insurance is paid in full, we will be in better finances than when the new building was started."

In May 1906 a lease was taken on the Borel dwelling on the corner of Franklin and Washington Streets where the Club headquarters were maintained until the move to the new Clubhouse on California Street. The present site was selected by vote of the members on the question of whether to rebuild on the property owned at Post and Stockton Streets, or to acuire the "Flood lot." Fortunately for the Club's future, the vote vote [sic.] was in favor of the Flood property which was then purchased for $200,000. The old site was leased and later sold.

The present Clubhouse was erected by James C. Flood as a residence in 1886. It is believed to be the first Brownstone west of the Mississippi River and was constructed of stone shipped around the Horn from a quarry in Connecticut. Only the outer walls of the structure were left standing after the earthquake and fire of 1906. In this state it was purchased by the Pacific-Union Club in May 1907 and in 1910 was reconstructed as a Club-house under the supervision of Willis Polk, Architect. At that time the two semi-circular wings which house the dining room and the main lounge were added, as well as a new third floor, a swimming pool in the basement, and other facilities. The brownstone used in the new construction was obtained from the same Connecticut quarry which supplied the material for the origianal structure.

The Club first occupied the reconstructed building in January, 1911. A large card room and a new bar were added in 1934 and numerous other improvements have been made from time to time to meet the changing needs of the members.

Affiliated Clubs
The Union Club of the City of New York
Jockey Club - Paris
"The Travellers" - Paris
Boodle's - London
Brooks's - London
The Melbourne Club - Melbourne
The Australian Club - Melbourne
The Australian Club - Sydney