Our Clubhouse
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Although Ebell was
started in 1894, it was 30 years before the clubhouse was built,
although the first of the necessary lots was purchased in 1909. When
enough money was raised, and the lots purchased, the building program
began.
The clubhouse address is 625 French Street, but the main entrance is
through the door on Mortimer Street, across from our large parking lot.
There are two entrances to the parking lot: a driveway entrance on
Mortimer Street opposite the entrance to the clubhouse, and another
driveway entrance on Civic Center Drive between the clubhouse and the
apartment complex.
The clubhouse was designed by Frederick Eley, and built in 1924 by
builder Sam Preble. The one-story structure is Mediterranean in design.
The decorative entryway is the same as that on the Santa Ana YMCA
building.
In 2001, the Ebell Clubhouse was recognized by the National Register
of Historic Places. Thanks to Mrs. Robert (Frances) Laster’s dedicated
pursuit of this project, our lovely clubhouse is protected and given its
rightful place in the history of our city.
In 1925, Isabel Tucker planted a sycamore tree at the southwest
corner of the lot in honor of her daughter, and two live oak trees were
planted at the northwest and northeast corners in memory of Mrs. Arthur
Ames and in honor of Mr. Eley’s small daughter.
Plantings were done in the patio and many furnishings were donated to
the clubhouse by various members of the Society. A large canvas was
donated in memory of Mrs. Sam Preble, a charter member of the club.
There are several rooms in the clubhouse, used both by the members
and available for rental to civic groups and individuals when schedules
do not conflict. There is a large auditorium, including a balcony,
seating 510 people. It has a sound system, stage lighting, and folding
doors that can be opened to the adjacent Peacock Room.
The Peacock Room is a large banquet-style room having a stage and an
adjacent large kitchen. This room has many purposes: the member’s teas
following our general meetings and ensuing programs, a square
dance group, Shirts n' Skirts, rent it, several Ebell sections use it, and it can be used
for weddings and receptions. There are banquet tables available. This
room has a seating capacity of 250.
There is a carpeted foyer extending from the entry doors on the east
to the west side of the building. On the north side of the foyer, beyond
the club office, is the Dinette, which is also used for meetings. It has
a seating capacity of 35, if card tables are not set up for card playing. Beyond that room is our small kitchen and
porch. To the west of the kitchen is our Fireside Lounge that has a
seating capacity of 50, again, if card tables are not set up for card
playing. This room is used for many section meetings.
In the middle of the building is a lovely, triangular shaped patio,
named in honor of Ruth Segerstrom, one of our club presidents. The
open-air patio is a lovely spot for small weddings (in good weather, of
course).
To the west of the patio is a covered walkway going from the Fireside
Lounge to the ladies powder room, then through a small hallway to the
Foyer and the doors to the Peacock Room.
The Society’s Art Committee arranges displays by local artists on the
walls of the Peacock Room. This room has picture moldings around three
walls to facilitate hanging this art work.
Across Mortimer Street, which is a dead-end street where it would meet
Civic Center Drive, is a large parking lot. This lot is well lighted in
the evenings.
The clubhouse is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday,
and other hours and days if rented. If people are interested in renting
any or all of the clubhouse, they can call the Executive
Director, Julie Onken, at (714) 547-6002, during the
day, or on her cell phone, (714) 547-6002, in the evenings.
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