Women's Club
1400 N. Mesa St., El Paso, TXSince its organization in May 1895, the Women's Club of El Paso has served as a center of intellectual culture for its members as well as an institution designed to improve the physical, intellectual, and moral conditions in the community. Built in 1916, the handsome, finely crafted brick clubhouse reflects the demographic growth and economic prosperity that El Paso experienced at the turn of the century.
Until the completion of rail service to the city in 1881, the majority of architecture was of adobe construction. As new and diverse building materials became available, the architecture expanded in styles and construction techniques. The Women's Club is one of several brick buildings built in the old central city area at the turn of the century. Its skillful combination of architectural motifs enjoying a revival at the time the representative of El Paso's growing aesthetic sophistication. Originally (1891) known as the Child Culture Study Circle and later (1898) called the Current Topics Club, the group became affiliated with the General Federation of Women's Clubs in 1899 and changed its name to the current listing. During the first 22 years of its existence, the club met in local residences, but in 1910, charter member Thirza Westcott will a portion of her homestead property on California Street to the club, which later became the site of the present clubhouse. The remainder of Miss Westcott's property was purchased by the club; the house, unsuitable for club activities, was rented and later sold with the proceeds of $8,000.00 applied to the new structure.
Chartered with ten members who paid yearly dues of 10c, this non-profit corporation now boasts 700 members and is credited as being a leading factor in the development of art and music in El Paso as well as other movements for the betterment of the community. Sometimes called the "Mother of Art in El Paso," the club is credited with bringing the first art show to El Paso and continues to take an active role in the promotion of local and national art in the area. The club is also accredited with establishing the first kindergarten from various fund-raising activities such as the Annual Antiques Festival and the Emerald Ball. The club contributes significantly to other worthy foundations including the El Paso Cancer Treatment Center and Boy Scouts of America.
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.