Our History

The origins of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club date back to 1890, when two separate tennis clubs were located near Wright Park: the Tacoma Ladies’ Tennis Club and the Tacoma Men’s Tennis Club.

The two clubs were adjacent to each other on land owned by the Tacoma Land Company, which was the real estate arm of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Club members played on clay courts located in the area of North Second and Yakima Avenue and G Street. The original Annie Wright Seminary towered over the courts in the distance.

The first Pacific Northwest Open Tennis Championships were held on those courts in 1891. This popular annual tournament continues at the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club today. Tennis legends including May Sutton (the first American to win a Wimbledon title), Jack Kramer, Rosemary Casals, Arthur Ashe and the Club’s own Pat Galbraith are all part of that tournament’s rich history.

In 1903, the Tacoma Land Company proposed giving the two clubs free land (at the Club’s current location) if they agreed to merge and build a clubhouse and several tennis courts.

It was an offer the two clubs couldn’t refuse.

In early 1905, the two clubs merged and created the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. They built a beautiful clubhouse and several clay courts, and the Club officially opened in August 1905.

In 1911, a streetcar trestle that had towered over the Club’s courts was removed and a “curve” was added to Tacoma Avenue near the Club. The Tacoma Land Company paid for that project, which added more land to their portfolio. They also donated some of the land, allowing the Club to nearly double in size.

Over the last 120 years, the Club has evolved in many ways to continue to meet the needs of its members. Here are just a few of the Club’s many developmental milestones:

• The Club’s last four clay courts were converted to concrete (1948).
• A swimming pool and wading pool were added (1954).
• New locker rooms were built adjacent to the swimming pool (1963).
• The original clubhouse was torn down and replaced (1967-1968).
• A new structure was built to house two indoor tennis courts (1975).

More great stories and highlights of our Club’s history are featured in a new 200-page book entitled Where Tradition Meets Excellence. The book was written by longtime Club member Rod Koon. It is available for sale in the Club office.