View Edit

The Charros Club was a short-lived social club, intended to be a “meeting place for business and professional men, artists, writers and musicians” and to “perpetuate the spirit of the early west.” It was at 418 - 11th Street in the Hook Brothers Building. It held its opening night on April 7, 1908. The officers were Adam H. Shirk, alcalde (magistrate), W.H. Kiler, sub-alcalde, Charles H. Williamson, secretary-treasurer. 1

One of their first events was a hike and cookout near Lake Chabot. Members listed include: Niles G. Hyatt; W.E. Ross; J.H. Morehouse, Jr.; Ralph Flack; J.W. Withers; Charles L. Williamson; Paul Daniels; newly elected alcalde Dr. A.B. Casad; W.J. Lheureux; Chris Caspers; William H. McCutcheon; Harry Parker; J.E. Borein; and Adam H. Shirk. 2 In other events, members listed include: Reggie Basset; T.G. Springer; and judge T.A. Redall. 3,4

Will McCutcheon is listed as the alcalde in May 1909 when he married Sophie Waters. McCutcheon was also secretary-treasurer of Hook Brothers & Company furniture. 5 The Hook Brothers retired in 1910 after 30 years in business, and leased the building to R. Pozzi and F.B. Moore, 6 but the end for the club was already underway.

Club Liquor License

The Charros Club and numerous other newly formed social clubs were under investigation, being viewed by some as a way to skirt liquor license laws. 7 It was noted in another article a few years later that for a number of clubs like the Charros Club, the free license was granted to people who were no longer part of the organization and they had passed into other hands. 8

By 1914, the only remaining newspaper references to the club are articles about gambling. 9 It's unclear how long the club operated by its original charter.

Links and References

1903 Sanborn

  1. New Club Fixes Its Opening Date Oakland Tribune March 22, 1908
  2. Charros Clubmen Take Long Hike Oakland Tribune June 9, 1908
  3. Charros Club Jinks Oakland Tribune July 12, 1908
  4. Charros Club to Entertain Oakland Tribune February 19, 1909
  5. Wedding Comes as a Surprise Oakland Tribune May 1, 1909
  6. Pacific Coast American Carpet and Upholstery Journal Volume 28
  7. 'Clubs' Thrive Like Mushrooms Oakland Tribune June 13, 1909
  8. Protection Story Denied By Turner Oakland Tribune August 13, 1912
  9. Judge Resents Bitter Attack Oakland Tribune November 14, 1914
Edit tags