Club History

A prestigious past is the only way to properly describe the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. Beginning in 1890 with only 20 men, the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club was on it's way to becoming one of the oldest private tennis clubs in the west. A group of women began meeting on their own in 1886 and officially forming their own private tennis organization in 1890 where they shared four grass courts with the men. In 1903, the Woodstock Apartments were built and the Tacoma Land Company offered 502 N. Borough Road to the current members and a club house was constructed. The bridge along Tacoma Avenue was torn down in 1912 allowing the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club to landscape the area behind the tennis courts. There were originally seven clay courts, which required watering and rolling prior to being used. During our rainy season they turned into muddy fields and in the winter the clay courts were transformed into a skating rink. After World War II the clay courts were replaced by hard courts and the current 14,000 square foot indoor court facility was built in 1975 to allow members play year round. Currently the club houses two indoor hard courts and six outdoor hard courts. Two of the outdoor hard courts are bubbled during the fall, winter and spring, giving the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club four indoor courts.

The original clubhouse was demolished in 1967 and replaced. Ground broke for a pool in June of 1954 and the pool opened in September of 1954. The opening ceremony was a luncheon and pool party for 500 people. Many events are still held by the pool throughout the summer, including a Steak Fry, which began June 12, 1954. The pool is also a favored past time among children of the club. Each summer a group of new and familiar faces attends swim team practice or an afternoon by the pool. Swim lessons and swim team are offered to provide basic and advanced swim technique to swimmers of all ages and skill levels. The classes are 6-8 students, allowing for more attention placed per child by the instructors. The swim staffs of coaches and lifeguards are a great attribute to the summer fun and safety by the pool.