History
On May 31, 1907, 45 women met at the Burlingame Train Station to form the Burlingame Woman’s Club. The group was to be dedicated to helping the newly organized town of Burlingame realize its transformation from old settlers and suburban residents into a town. On December 14, 1910, they became incorporated under the name Burlingame Woman’s Club Association, dedicated to civic improvements in Burlingame.
This small group of women put their fundraising skills to work, and within one year, they raised enough money to build a streetcar waiting station and plant 600 new trees in downtown Burlingame. In addition, by holding street carnivals and selling “stock certificates” in their Club, these enterprising women had enough money left over to purchase a lot on Park Road, which is now the site of the Clubhouse.
Original rendering of Clubhouse by Architect, Ernest L. Norberg.
Photograph of original BWC Clubhouse courtesy of the Burlingame Historical Society.
Early DAys
In 1907, the women of Burlingame decided to improve their town even if women had not yet been granted the right to vote. BWC championed house numbering so emergency resources might locate homes quickly, free home mail delivery, better sanitary services as mosquitos, flies, dust and mud plagued the community, and improved schools as family populations increased. The Woman’s Club also supported the incorporation of Burlingame to bring order and regulation to an unruly, unkempt town!
Annual Membership fees were 50 cents in these early years, with an additional 25 cents collected monthy from each member. Revenue was insufficient to offset costs of civic improvement and beautification so the first of many fundraisers occurred in August 1907. The gala street carnival was described as a “fairy frolic of music, confetti, fine gowns, candy and laughter.” Evening dancing was the chief attraction under the glow of 1,600 Japanse laterns. The ladies earmarked profts from the carnivale for the construction of a safety station near the train depot that protected patrons awaiting electonric trolley pickup as it rumbled through town every 20 minutes. The safety sation opened in 1908 and remained a landmark for 30 years.
Notable achievements of our early BWC members include raising money to purchase a fire bell used to alert volunteer firemen. Today, the bell is located in front of the California Drive fire station. By 1909, more than 600 trees were planted along town streets and parks as the club sponsored arbor days and cleaned neglected parks. The Woman’s Club supported the public library and gave the town its first official American flag.
In 1910, the BWC had a mission bell erected on El Camino which was (much later!) relocated to the Burlingame Historical Society.
Remodeling BWC Clubhouse in 1958
