Telegram-herald., 1889-04-26


country. however. the Two az whose club
houses Illustrations are given are tae most
prominent. by reason both 4 their numbers
and wealth and the proficiency OF their attn
lstss. The rnern bershipllst of both is fan and
applicants arc waiting 20 be elected. Esch
will have, when the buildings now ia course
Of construction ara fni,lei, au elegant and
extensive club house, fitted with al possible
apparatus for the dev eiopnent of the muscles
and with al reasonable appliances for the
comfort OF members Each VIII have a fire
ground, with an excellent track. lawn tennis
courts, aud other conveniences Tor oar door
SPORTS. Each VIII have largo and comfort
able boat house and good rowing course.
The present homo OF the New York Ath-
letic club was first occupied in February.
lSs5 There IL no need T. describe the out
side appearance Of the building here, except
70 sav that is is of red brick and terra-cotta
1t has u fronta 20 Of 75;s feet on sixth ave
nue. and 100 feet on Fifty fifth street As il
stands furnished it cost about 100000. There
Is On il 2 mortgage Of $4,000 ia ITS base
met are the bowling alleys aud riro range
on the ground floor are the swimming tank,
a number Of bathrooms and rooms Tor dry
ing and dressing.
On the second foor to which 4 handsome
staircase leads, are a reception room, par.or
reading room. restaurant aAd billiard and
pool rooms. The third floor is devoted al
most entirely 10 lockers, there being over
thousand OF them The gymnasium, spar
ring room. fencing room and a convenient
dOUche room and dressing room are on tho
fourth floor The gymnasium IS one of the
best in the world. It's Light and ventilation
could not be improved, and in summer 1t IS
one Of the coolest places in the city.
The members Of the club have now, how
ever a better place 10 60 in summer, having
bought small island near Glen Island, which
they have named ia honor Of their long time
president, tho lato Mr. William r. Travers,
Travers Island. Hereis a good rowing course
in still water Here grounds and a track
have been prepared Here, finally, are just
now finishing fnc large summer club house
and roo-ny cnd convenient boat house
TIE Manhattan Athletic club was organ
lied in tho fall Of 1877, and legally incorpo
rated on April I. 1873 At first its roll con
tanned tho names Of only twenty members.
It's first out door competition, held in the
spring of 1873. was held on grounds on Eighth
avenue between Fifty sixth and Fifty seventh
streets, and the spectators sat on chairs hired
for the occasion. The success of this compe
tti0n, tho excellence OF the new track. and
the energy OF those already members OF tie
club soon brought its membership list up into
the b drcds. In SO their present grounds
wero secured, tho boss bounded 10y Eighth
and Ninth avenue and Eighty and
Eig.itv-scventh streets
Tne Manhattan club, though rich IN mem
hers and in fame, had 40 club mouse until
Nova1lb bar. 1885. when the residence no. 52I
Fiftl avenue was secured and turned INTO a
vpry Good ooe for social purposes BIt tho
rncnr1cr could nos Of course bc satisfied un-
les theT were as well housed as their rr-..
rivals; So the pot u ground a. Fort ..th
street and Madison avenue was secured. a.ld
there is now going up the splendid building
which is 10 be the clubs future home. The
lot is about ~ feet square, and the building
IS 50 constructed that tine gymnasium viii
- 100 By 10 fces--one q the largest IN the
world
The arrangement of the building wiz be
necessarily very Ike That Of 10 otier club
hous-on the lower eoors bowling alleys.
rs1c range. hatns ard sv immug tank. on
the arst Hoor the Tnr.or reception room.
billiard rooms and restaurant on she third
floor. the gymnasium. roachiuE - the top
New features are tbe roaf garden. ike that
81 tic Cas.D0. an -be concert room or theatre
on tho second f0or The haldIng will -
fra proof, aal elegantly fnislei and q r
nlshel throughout TIE estimated toial cost
is sbCut Sc0o.oCg