Woman's Club - Beaumont, TX - Woman's Clubs on Waymarking.com

On 24 April 1899, the association became known as the Woman's Reading Club and was affiliated with the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. In 1908, the group organized as a Department Club that eventually gained several affiliates.

From the start, the Beaumont club aspired to construct a building in which to house their activities. Fund raising endeavors for construction of a clubhouse began as early as 1896, under President Leckie Goodhue, who served five presidential terms. In December of that year the Beaumont Journal published a special "Woman's Edition" and donated profits to the club. Solicitations, banquets, suppers, entertaining programs, and membership dues financed the purchase of a lot and, eventually, construction of the clubhouse.

The Beaumont clubhouse is one of the oldest built in Texas by a Federated Department Club and the only one remaining in continuous use, according to Veme Bratton, former president of the Texas Federation of Women's Clubs. Representatives of the club recorded that CC McDonald designed the clubhouse c. 1908-1909. McDonald is not mentioned as architect of any other Beaumont building, but probably was one of several out-of-town architects working in Beaumont after the turn of the century. Club records indicate that Travis Willis Thames served as contractor. Although Thames built many properties in Beaumont, a comprehensive list of his work does not exist. In 1909, however, Thames advertised in the city directory as a "Residence Builder." This suggests that he was familiar with residential construction and styles reflected in the architecture of the clubhouse.

The clubhouse has served many purposes. After the disastrous 1915 hurricane it was converted into a hospital that provided food, shelter and medical care for those the storm affected. During World War I the clubhouse was used for Red Cross fund raising benefits, county sewing units, bandage rolling, making surgical dressings, and as a War Savings Booth. During the 1918 influenza epidemic it was again used as a hospital. After the war, the clubhouse resumed its intended use of promoting culture, education, and the arts in the community.