P. O. Box 1327, San Jose, CA 95109-1327
history
The Sainte Claire Club building, completed in 1893, was designed by renowned architect A. Page Brown in the Mission Revival architectural style. A. Page Brown is best known for designing the San Francisco Ferry Building and for introducing Mission Revival Architecture to Santa Barbara, California. Many features of this style are evident in his design for the club including the tile roof and arched entryways.
The Sainte Claire Club building has withstood the test of time, prevailing through earthquakes and a disastrous fire. The earthquake of 1906 shook out the rear wall of the building (pictured left). A disastrous fire in 1949 destroyed the interior of the Clubhouse and damaged the exterior. When restoring the Clubhouse after these disasters, the building's exterior and historic elements remained unchanged, thus retaining the charm of the past.
Left: Wednesday, April 18th 1906 - Members enjoy an alfresco breakfast outside the severely damaged Sainte Claire Club an hour after the 5:12 a.m. earthquake.
Our history makes us strong, however we need donations to ensure that this historic building can be preserved and maintained for many generations to come.
The Sainte Claire Club is a historic landmark as designated by the National Register of Historic Places and the San Jose Landmarks Commission. It is a key element of San Jose's Saint James Historic District.