PART THREE
OMAHA ATHLETIC CLUB
PAGES 1 TO 12
The Om Ah a Sunday Bee
PART THREE
OMAHA ATHLETIC CLUB
PAGES 1 TO 12
VOL. XLVIII NO. 27.
OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 15, 1918.
SINGLE COPY FIVE CENTS.
ATHLETIC CLUB
IS ENTIRELY AN
OMAHA PRODUCT
Idea Conceived Locally, and
Omaha Men and Institu
tions Furnish the
Supplies.
"I want to belong to an athletic
club, and a metropolitan city like
Omaha needs one," was the casual
.k of A. R. Hansen, addressed
to a number of friends one evening
in October, 1915, while seated
around a table in the Lincoln Inn
of which he is proprietor. Mr. Han"
sen's inspiration grew into one of
activity, and at his own expense
he soon made a trip to Chicago,
Detroit, Minneapolis and several
other cities studying the various
angles in connection with the ath
letic clubs which had been recently
built in those cities.
On his return to Omaha he called
en George llrandeis, who belonged
to the Chicago Athletic club and
knew the advantages of a club of
this kind. With the help of Mr.
Brandeis the wheels were imme
diately put into motion and Thos.
F. Cjuinlan was selected to call a
meeting of a number of business
men to discuss the advisability of
an athletic club.
The meeting was called in the
Chamber of Commerce rooms early
in 1916 and was attended by A. L.
Mohler, Fred Davis, Luther Drake,
(leorge V. Holdrege, John C.
Wharton, Father Gannon, A. W.
Jtfferis, Frank Hamilton, Dean Tan
cock, W. D. Schall, the late George
Haverstick, N. B. Updike, George
Brandeis, A. R. Hansen Lysle Ab
bott, W. A. Fraser, F. O. McCaffery
and Frank Judson. At this meeting
the actual concrete plans for the
club were laid. However, at that
time many said it would be out of
the question to get a thousand mem
bers to join, and ridiculous to think
of selling three hundred life mem
berships, at $500 each.
Consult Promoter.
Charles H. Ginslinger of Wash
ington was consulted with. Mr.
Ginslinger was a promoter and had
been instrumental in the promotion
of clubs in other cities. He wanted
a fee of $50,000 to look after the
building of the club and the club's
promotion. This proposition was
turned down, and one of the biggest
features in connection with the
Omaha Athletic club is the fact that
it was promoted from an inspiration
to a club of 1,500 yearly members
and 300 life members occupying a
property worth nearly a million dol
lars entirely by Omaha business
men.
The first board of directors chos
en was composed of Frank W. Jud
son, N. B. Updike, George Bran
deis, V. A. Fraser, the late George
Haverstick, A. W. JefTeris, and W.
A. Schall. Mr. Updike soon re
signed on account of his frequent
absence from the city and W. B. T.
Belt was chosen in his place.
Officers of Club.
The other officers of the club
chosen were W. A. Fraser, presi
dent; F. W. Judson, vice-president;
George Brandeis, treasurer, and
John C. Wharton, secretary.
The building committee was com
posed of George Brandeis, W. A.
Fraser and W. B. T. Belt. An ad
visory board made up of twenty-five
business and professional men was
selected.
The first site selected for the club
was the ground now occupied by the
new Nebraska Telephone company
building, but many contended that it
was too far away from the business
section, and the permanent site se
lected was the ground owned by J.
L. Brandeis & Sons next to the
Strand theater. It was necessary
to buy an adjoining lot owned by
Mrs. Maul. Arthur Brandeis was
here iroin Xew York at the time ai d
he purchased this lot for $120,000
taking a second mortgage on the
building, thus securing for the club
a frontage of 132 feet on Douglas
Street between Seventeenth and
Eighteenth streets and 132 feet deep
at a total cost of about $300,000.
Secure Members Fast.
The membership committee was
the next question, and Tho. F.
C :nlan was made chairman, and in
a very few days over one thousand
memberships had been secured. In
the meantime war had been declared
by the United States and they dis
continued taking members until
they had something tangible to show
in the way of a building.
John Latenser & Sons, Omaha ar
chitects, were selected to draw the
plans and specifications for the club
building which was planned to cost
$550,000 based on the price of ma
terial at that time. The actual
designing of the building was done
by Frank Latenser and John Lat
enser, jr., two of Omaha's youngest
archiet'ets. Frank Latenser belongs
to the All American Athletic asso
ciation which probably spurred him
to his best efforts in the work of
designing the beautiful home of the
Omaha Athletic club.
The contractors chosen to con
struct the building was the Selden
Breck company, and the first ground
was, broken early in 1917, followed
by the actual construction of the
building immediately. It was ex
pected that the building would be
ready to occupy by Christmas that
year, but owing to the delay of
retting material caused by the war
the opening has been delayed almost
12 ifionths.
Supplies From Omaha.
The plumbing and heating plant
was installed by J. J. Hannighen
company, and the furnishings and
decorations by Orchard & Wilhelm
company, in fact everything enter
ing into the building? or furnishing
of the club was bought in Omaha
that could possibly be obtained here.
The total cost of the ground,
building and furnishings which
were contracted for at before-the-
Entrance Lounge at New Athletic Club
With Opening into Ladies' Parlors
New Omaha Athletic Club Lends Itself
Readily to Efforts of Craftsman's Artx
Richly, even sumptuously furnish
ed, and the interior decoration done
along lines simple in detail and
pleasing in colors, the new Omaha
Athletic club attests that artists
have risen to the opportunity af
forded them in the magnificent new
clubhouse; have received inspira
tion, created furnishings and
achieved artistic results that could
never be fulfilled in a structure less
spacious or less conducive to the
craftsman's art.
To illustrate, it was an artist who
planned the wonderful Italian entrance-lounge,
the rich red brocad
ed fabric walls and furnishings be
ing designed to of. set the otherwise
cold tones of the marble entry. A
deep-piled tufted rug of the same
shade of red mingled with a putty
shade, which is also introduced in
the walls, and specially woven in a
continuous piece, 12x60 feet, with a
smaller size for the little secluded
corner to the right of the entrance;
imposing pilastered Italian chairs
with red tapestried seats and trim
med with metal gallooned braid;
and davenports and large, easy
chairs of t he red plush and embroid
ered damask paneled backs further
carry out the color scheme. Other
odd chairs in walnut, hand-carved
Italian lamps in polychrome and
numerous flower stands give the
proper atmosphere to the attractive
entrance.
All Marvelously Equipped.
Proceeding further are the clerk's
stand, telephone booths, cigar stand
and men's lounge leading into the
wonderfully equipped marble bar
ber shop. In the men's lonnge, all
the deep, comfortable chairs are of
Spanish goatskin leather. A bright
colored lamp and flags of the allies
give a touch of color.
To the left of the entrance are the
ladies' parlors, dainty in the extreme
and complete in appointments.
Green and ivory is the color scheme
here, the walls of green and ivory
striped damask, green carpeting and
the furniture old ivory over solid
mahogany, except in the little entry,
which is Louis XVI in period and
fun.ished in satinwood inlaid and
hand decorated. Tall ivory flower
stands of the same period divide this
little sub-entry from the main ladies'
parlor. Here charming little con
sole tables, with a tall candlestick,
a vase, a bowl, mirrors and a grace
ful lamp here and there with shades
of rose-color furinshing the only
note of color, make this room at
tractive beyond words to the fem
inine visitor.
Gold and Lavender.
Beyond this is the dressing room,
a thing of beauty in green, gold
and lavender. Cheval and vanity
mirrors wherever one turns, numer-
House Committee to Have
Charge of Running Club
To facilitate handling of Athletic
club affairs, each member of the
house committee has been assigned
particular duties. George Brandeis
and Joseph Barker will have charge
of the cuisine; Frank McCaffrey,
gymnasium; W. A. Pixley, swim
ming pool and lockers;Harrv Steele,
billiard hall; C. M. Wilhelm, per
iodicals and men's lounge; and C.
L. Goul3, the rooms.
Three Rooms for Dancing
at New Athletic Club
Three large spaces for dancing
may be utilized in the Omaha
Athletic club. Most of the dances
will be held in the gymnasium, but
for overflow crowds the tables can
be moved in the billiard room and
the carpeting in the dining room has
been so laid that it may be lifted
for dancing.
war prices will total slightly under
$1,000,000.
The activities of the membership
cemmittee was resumed about two
months ago. The life memberships,
which are limited to 300. have all
been taken, many applications being
received after the quota was filled.
There is now a large number on
the waiting list for life membership.
The yearly memberships, limited to
!,500 are also practically all taken.
ous double dressing tables with the
innovation of swivel chairs permit
ting milady the better to view her
backmost curl; an inviting chaise
lounge with chairs to match in the
same shades of . striped green, gold
and lavender, and real Swiss panel
curtains and hangings all add charm,
convenience and delight.
In the rear of the main floor is
the grill, done in browns and reds
and furnished in early English oak
of the cathedral style. Square tab
les, large and small; with arm-chairs
of the regulation prill style; brown
stone floor, arched windows draped
with printed linen hangings figured
with browns and reus, impart the
i. . .t. - ! t I
pioper aunospnere io uie iniormai
men's dining-room.
Blue and Mauve.
Ascending the wide marble stair
case to the second floor, one comes
into the large, main lounge done in
a highly artistic old blue and
mauve. Walls, Saxony carpeting,
velour window drapes and portiers
leading into other wings; double
davenports and large easy chairs
all harmonize in the striped mohair
plush design of blue and mauve.
Kxtra chairs of figured wool tapes
try have been introduced.
But the triumph of this room is
the fireplace which occupies a major
portion of the east wall. About the
inviting fireplace is an unusual seat
rail upon which quite a number of
persons may linger, the seat fin
ished in the same striped blue and
mauve velour. Andirons stand be
fore the fire and bronze flower bas
kets and tall candlesticks ornament
the mantel.
Needless to add, colorful shaded
lamps, numerous smoking stands
and pictures give the finishing
touches to this room.
Two oil paintings, "The Little
Acrobat' by Fritz Ztgau and "Mid
night Sun" by W. Senders, gifts
of George Brandeis, ornament the
east and west walls.
Comfortable Reading Room.
Entering the west wing from the
lounge, one comes first to the read
ing room, the walls and rugs done
in old blue and hangings of ecru
wool casement cloth. Massive chairs
and davenports of mahogany with
o! 1 blue seats and backs, and a large
mahogany library table comprise
the furnishings. . A Gobelin tapes
try panel and a large etching of
desolated Belgium, once exhibited
in Omaha, adorn these walls.
Next is a small private card
room and a larger card room, equip
ped with substantial felt-covered
card tables and comfortable leath
er arm chairs. A telephone booth,
conveniently enough placed, '3 an
additional feature of the larger card
room.
In the east wing toward
the Douglas street side of
the second floor, is an at
tractively furnished writing
room done in blue plush and ma
hogany and equipped with double
writing desks, well lighted. In the
rear of this is a "quiet room" with
inviting Turkish davenports to re
cline and rest a wee, a smoking
stand or two and a lovely copy of
Mona Lisa looking on.
The large billiard hall, with
flooring of battleship linoleum, oc
cupies the entire rear of the second
floor.
Club's Attractions
Bound to Keep Men
from Home, Say Wives
Question "Where is your hus
band" Answer "Over to the Athletic
club." I
This promises to be frequently!
the question put and answer given
in the homes of hundreds of mem- j
bers of the Omaha Athletic club,
now that the fine new establish-
ment is open i
Nothing has been overlooked in '
providing lacinucs ior 111c muui
gence of each man's tastes in rec
reations and amusements.
The gymnasium, swimming pool,
hand ball courts, billiard room,
bowling alleys and card rooms will,
the women fear, prove most allur
ing to the men of the family.
The hand ball courts, of which
there are three, are perhaps the
most unique in construction of any
clubhouse or gymnasium in the
country. Some say they are the
only ones known.
The courts have small doors, or
rather man-holes for entrances and
have a balcony on one side, in
which a man is stationed to throw
down the ball.
The swimming pool rivals the
celebrated Roman baths in beauty.
The walls and sloping bottom of
the pool are inlaid and marked at
intervals of five feet up to twenty
feet; one one side "Shallow" and
on the other "Deep" right in the
stone. The walls from the pool up
ward are tiled. G. P. Wendell,
former Y. M. C A. swimming in
structor, has been engaged.
The gym, billiard room and bowl
ing alleys will be completely equip
ped. Women to Have Special
Days in Swimming Pool
Women will share in the privi
leges of the wonderful swimming
pool in the Athletic club. A spe
cial day will be assigned to them.
They may have private lockers and
a private elevator will carry them
from the women's section of the
building to the pool.
HE THOUGHT UP IDEA OF
NEW ATHLETIC CLUB.
Everything that
BARBERS NEED
PHILLIPS
MEDICAL
COMPANY
1215 Farnam Street
OMAHA, NEB.
A. R. HANSEN.
A. R. Hansen, Omaha business
man, in whose mind evolved the
first inspiration which resulted in
the realization of the Omaha Ath
letic club.
CLUB TO START
NEW CHAPTER
IN SOCIAL LIFE
Many Events, Including
Christmas Party, Planned
in Addition to Big .
Opening.
A new chapter in the social life
of Omaha begins with the opening
of the Omaha Athletic club. Aside
from the formal opening dinner
dance which will be held this
month if the "flu" permits and
which promises to be probably the
most brilliant social function in the
history of the city, December will
see three more elaborate functions
in the splendid new clubhouse.
Saturday evening, December
will be military night when the
khaki-clad men in the service will
be honored with a special dinner
dance. Christmas night, when all fie
school set will be home from the
east, and by which time are expect
ed. many of the men who are being
released from service, some of them
with brides they have won in other
cities, another wonderful party has
been arranged.
But New Year's eve for this oc
casion Monsieur Chevalier will
show what an artist can do, given
such a splendid clubhouse in which
to conjure up a party which will
vie with pleasure palaces in the
largest cities in the country, to
furnish amusement.
Elaborate and unusual favors,
Japanese, French, and from the
Orient, and ever so many noise and
fun-provoking novelties have been
ordered for the watch party.
A number of private parties are
planned by families of the directors,
announcement for which will come
in the near future.
Huge Lamp Drops from
Third Floor Ceiling to
Light Second Flooi
A curiosity observed in the club
house is the wonderful lamp which
is suspended from the ceiling of the
third floor to light the second floor.
It hangs from a heavy old blue vel
vet rope and draws attention as one
ascends the staircase.
Telephones Most Handily
Placed All Over New Club
Telegrams are most conveniently
placed. Wherever one is apt to need
a telephone, there he will find one.
In each one of the sleeping rooms,
in the card room, near the lounges,
in the ladies' parlors, lobby and in
hallways there one is sure to come
upon telephones.
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A Good Job-Well Done
The highest compliment that can be paid to a craftsman is the praise by
his competitors for a GOOD JOB VELL DONE.
In the installation of the wiring and electric system in the Omaha Ath
letic club building, local electricians have paid the LeBron Electrical Works
the compliment that it was the most complete job done in Omaha in the past
four years.
That the work on the Omaha Athletic club building represents more than a contract is
made manifest to any skilled workman. This contract was not one to confine the complete
ness to specifications, but beyond them. Every little touch and extra that would show an
improvement was added, whether in the contract price or not
The completeness of this job was made possible only by the efficient shop force behind
the workers. The LeBron Electrical Works, 318 South Twelfth street, is not only the largest
electrical repair and machine plant in the middle west, but probably the most up-to-the-minute
one, although at the present time somewhat crippled by 26 of its shop force being in khaki.
Mr. LeBron modestly gives to his efficient superintendent of construction and his forces the
honors of the Omaha Athletic Club job, showered upon him by those having pride in the
building.
LeBron
Electrical
Works
318
South Twelfth
Omaha
Nebraska
BERT LE BRON
The Bo
HENRY MUNCH
The Man Behind the Job
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Coegraifliaoois
to Omaha
aid its People
4
SELDEN-BRECK
Construction Co.
GENERAL CONTRACTORS
St. Louis Omaha Chicago
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