Magazine Sep/Oct 2018

A Look Back at the History of Our Club

1939 The German community in Singapore had nearly completed building a club at the junction of Adam and Dunearn Roads when it was seized by the Enemy Property Custodian during the outbreak of World War II. The American Association submitted a bid of $25,000 for the property to form a club, but it was turned over to the British Army and eventually destroyed during the war.

1932 The idea of forming a social club for Americans was first mooted in 1932 by the American Association of Malaya. As the total of 56 Americans residing in Singapore was insufficient to support the proposed club, the plan was shelved indefinitely.

1951 Cathay Organization wanted to repossess the space rented to The Club to develop it as part of the new Cathay Hotel. The Club was pressed to find an alternate site in the two years that followed.

First Club premises at Cathay Building

1948 – The American Club was established • Interest in forming a club “aimed at organizing social activities and fostering closer ties among local Americans” was renewed. • On September 10, an unprecedented General Meeting of resident Americans was held for the purpose of organizing the new American Club, and the motion was approved. Appointment of the first officers and General Committee members followed. • Membership was opened to other nationalities, although there was a need to maintain a majority of American members for The Club to retain its identity. • On September 14, 1948, The Club officially opened with 146 Members, on a rented balcony on the fifth floor of one of Singapore’s first skyscrapers – the Cathay Building at Sophia Road. It consisted of a bar and two second-hand slot machines, and was manned by a total of 5 employees. • Entertainment in the early days consisted of Saturday afternoon cartoon films for children, weekly bingo nights, bridge tournaments, and square dances. These were supplemented by annual parties, huge social events which enjoyed immense participation and sponsorship – some of which continue till this day.

New Club location at 21 Scotts Road

1954 Aided by a donation of $25,000 by Loke Wan Tho (owner of Cathay) towards the acquisition of new premises, and combined with Club surpluses of $50,000 and financing from the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation of approximately $150,000, The Club secured the Cycle House at 21 Scotts Road for its new premises, which it still occupies today. The old house that stood on the land was torn down and the land was mortgaged, while construction of a 67,000 square foot California-style clubhouse began.

4

SEP / OCT 2018 THE AMERICAN CLUB