Nomination for Cincinnati Tennis Club

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

OMB NO. 1024-0018 EXP. 10/31/84 1. Name and/or common 2. Location MA not for publication street & number city, town _ county - _ state - 3. Classification - district _ public _unoccupied - agriculture X building(s) X private -park - structure .both work in progress - educational - private residence X site . religious _ object - in process X yes: restricted _ scientific -yes: unrestricted - military -x other: recreation 4. Owner of Property - vicinity of 5. Location of Legal Description courthouse, registry of deeds, etc. Ohio 45202 has this property been determined eligible?

- yesx no - federal - _local Category transportation Cincinnati museum code date Accessible government entertainment Hamilton industrial Ownership 039 historic commercial Status being considered Ohio Inventory-Nomination Form Type all entries-complete applicable sections Hamilton County Courthouse National Park Service None Present Use Public Acquisition Court and Main Streets 6. Representation in Existing Surveys See instructions in How to Complete National Register Forms National Register of Historic Places United States Department of the Interior date entered depository for survey records THE CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Dexter and Wold Avenues NPS Form 10-900 title For NPS use only received FFB 2 3 (7-81) NIA WA vicinity ot 7.

Description X excellent - unaltered X original site moved date The original location of the Club was in Horticultural Hall, in the south wing of Local developer, who saw the Club as a desirable stimulus to development in his subdivision. east, right next to the clubhouse, on sloping ground in two tiers. extended to the south and across the south and across the south end of the building. At The setting remains relatively unchanged from the Club's earliest years, when Walnut school, west of the Club property, which is situated on land given to the School Board by Condition fair ruins the Cincinnati Tennis Club. the building still retains its basic shape and its rustic summerhouse appearance. Check one this space has gradually been excavated and enclosed with concrete block.

The Cincinnati Tennis Club is located on a three-acre tract at the corner of Dexter earlier fence of chicken wire with metal posts.

The original frame clubhouse was a rustic affair, with a simple gable roof supported and original clubhouse and courts were the result of an inducement to locate here by a this addition are similar to the original part of the building.Only two eyebrow dormers lounge and narrow kitchen flanked on the north by the men's locker room and on the south The original clubhouse was torn down in 19o5 and replaced by the present structure in l906.The simple frame building has a hipped roof which slopes down over an open porch The existing chain-link backstops, put up between 1932 and 1938, supercede an Six courts have been added to the original four; three in 1904 and an equal number in 1925.All of the courts were originally clay, except for one which was laid out in substance known as Teniko, which covers most so-called "clay courts'of today. by the women's locker room.

In 1914,a second locker room for the men was added to the _ deteriorated - good X altered Music Hall, in downtown Cincinnati. After two years, the Club moved out to the first of remain, on the north and south ends of the hipped roof. Despite these several alterations, unexposed that point the ground slopes down so that the rear of the clubhouse rests on heavy posts. when a two-acre parcel was selected for the construction of new courts and a clubhouse. The clubhouse was entirely open underneath and was used for rough storage.Over the years today it is sheathed in clapboard.The porch was widened in 1922 and, at the same time, the end of World War II, the southern part of the porch was enclosed in order to enlarge Describe the present and original (if known) physical appearance

Description of the property

The openings and exterior wall treatments of dence of this history, except for a small street called "Tennis Lane." Its present site which extends the length of the front or east facade.Originally, its dimensions were surrounded by many mature trees.T the kitchen and the women's locker room. by bark-covered pillars over awide porch.The original four courts were laid out to the The topography of the ground is such that the porch is at ground level.Back from Hills was considered the country. Large houses sited on spacious lots border the Club, The only intrusion in its setting is a l960's public 8.

From the form

The catalogue entry the section above was filed under.

Significance Areas of Significance-Check and justify below - prehistoric - archeology-historic _ conservation _ science .agriculture - sculpture _social/ -theater - politics/government _ transportation x other (specify) Specific dates 1906 - present Builder

Statement of significance

/Architect Tietig & Lee (architects) - Clubhouse along with a host of other neighborhood clubs, in the late nineteenth century. Its es, both regional and national, were played on the courts of this Club. The most prestigious tournament played at the Club was the Tri-State Tournament, a player, and although he had lost to Johnston in the national singles title, he was which was not resumed until 1926.

From that time on, the Cincinnati Tennis Club was to the Club's employment of a professional instructor, a practice which began in 1917, Eisenhower administration, are examples of the many members who have distinguished 1600-1699 1800-1899 architecture 1700-1799 1400-1499 invention 1500-1599 commerce humanitarian RECREATION education communications Period literature engineering music law major participant in its development in this region and is significant for its early It was in this tradition of competitiveness and professionalism that the Club was The ranks of amateur members throughout the Club's history is noteworthy.William military of the greatest years of the Tri-State Tournament from the standpoint of quality of The Tri-State Tournament became closely identified with the Cincinnati Tennis Club still regarded by most critics as the greatest tennis player at the time.

prominent role in the promotion of tennis did not begin until the Club was established themselves in other fields. role in the history of this outdoor sport. and Chairman of Procter & Gamble who also served as Secretary of Defense during the for the national doubles championship was held at the Club. _economics Statement of Significance (in one paragraph) ton winner 1905-1907) and Bobby Riggs winner 1936-1938and 1940); tournament which in the early decades of the twentieth century was surpassedin impor- and were a yearly event from 1889-1916.World War I put an end to the inter-club play, In 1914,the Fifth Annual National Clay Court Championship was played at the Club X1900- one of the first in the Midwest to do so. -art _ archeology-prehistoric _ community planning .

landscape architecture _ religion exploration/settlement - with the development of tennis in Cincinnati and the Ohio Valley region, particularly and 1906; and Molla Bjurstedt, a Norwegian tennis player who had won the American Cham- who had just won the national singles, and his partner, "Peck" Griffin, with whom he Howard Taft, Potter Stewart, Justice of the Supreme Court, and Neil McElroy, President The Cincinnati Tennis Club, founded in 1880, is significant for its long association tance only by the National Lawn Tennis Association Tournament at Newport, Rhode Island.

industry amateur sports.Long before this current popularity, the Cincinnati Tennis Club was a had recently won the national doubles championship.Maurice McLoughlin was also a nationally and internationally known professionals such as Wimbledon champions May Sut- Inter-Club matches were an important event for the neighborhood clubs in the area, During the 1970's tennis emerged as one of the fastest growing professional and on its present site.The Club began as a primarily socially-oriented organization, instead of the Tri-State Tournament.In 1919,the East-West sectional doubles match -philosophy Robert Le Roy winner 1907-1909) National Intercollegiate Champion in 1904 pionship in 1915,the same year in which she was the Tri-State winner.1915 was one able to produce a Wimbledon champion, Tony Trabert, in 1955.In 1952 the Club was Official USTA 1982 Yearbook, published by H. O.

Zimman, Inc. Mr. Rowland Hopple, Cincinnati Tennis Club Club, 1880-1963 shown in Book 54, Plat 1, Parcel 108 (513) 721-4506 Ohio 45214 As the designated State Historic Preservation Officer for the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 (Public Law 89 State Historic Preservation Officer signature Keeper of the National Register code 10/82 Easting county date Northing Cincinnati Zone national telephone 9.

The rest of the file

Bibliography, boundary description, and the people who prepared and reviewed the nomination.

Major Bibliographical References local name/title Attest: 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification Quadrangle scale 1:24,000 organization Miami Purchase Association 11. Form Prepared By 10. Geographical Data 3 acres Entered in the UMT References List all states and counties for properties overlapping state or county boundaries Verbal boundary description and justification The evaluated significance of this property within the state is: Quadrangle name Cincinnati East National Register I hereby certify that this property is included in the National Register Chief of Registration Acreage of nominated property X state city or town Dexter Ave.20'x233.79 IRR; North Side of Dexter Ave.383'West of Wold Ave.,as For NPs use only Lewis, Stanley D. name/title Rita Walsh, Architectural Historian according to the criteria and procedures set forth by the National Park Service.

413|314 51010 280' x 333' Northwest Corner of Dexter and Wold, as shown in Book 54, Plat l, Parcel 1ll(con'd 3/29183 A1161 received Inventory-Nomination Form Cincinnati, Hamilton County, Chio Page date entered Continuation sheet entire site contributes to the property's historical significance. Cincinnati Tennis Club National Register of Historic Places Heritage Conservation and Recreation Service United States Department of the Interior FHR-8-300(11-78) 54,Plat 1,Parcel 1l2.All three acres are being nominated because the For HCRS use only and 50' x 242.65' IRR, North Side Dexter 333' West of Wold Ave., as shown in Book Item number Cincinnati Tennis Club, Hamilton County, Ohio A-10 THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER/Saturday, December 27, 1980 WILLIAM J.KEATING CEORGE R. BLAKE HARRY H. BROWNING Vice President. Editor Vicr President. Operations THOMAS S. GEPHARDT JAMES E.

JEROW Vicr President, Sales develop young players - an inclination tees. Such names as Tony Trabert, Billy The history of the club, which reads ley Cooper, Rod Laver and Barry McKay like a Queen City Who's Who, began at & 10, 1880. Among the 86 names on the cinnati notables as Emery, Farney, Its reception in Cincinnati that It stands beginning, coming soon after tennis was Lintroduced in America, makes CTC the Jeghenles. Cincinnati club TENNIS THE ENQUIRER One of the greatest contributions made ment program to encourage and assist For your interest and information your Board has reproduced above Dear Member: permanent display of Club memorabilia in the Lounge Room. nis and on its reception by the public. nati's social and athletic assets. in its centennial second century with the same vigor that which grew into a formal junior develop- have competed under CTC auspices.

can take pride promising young players. congratulate the club on its first grand tremendous impact on the sport of ten- the world together to compete for the original membership role are such Cin- :second oldest tennis club west of the Al- has distinguished it as one of Cincin- bringing some of the greatest players In It says something about the club and original editorial has been framed and will be made a part of our The club has been responsible for enjoyment of Cincinnati tennis devo- A Cannett Newspaper century and trust that the second will be and which commemorated our centennial celebration in 1980.The by the club has been its eagerness to help institution and is looking forward to its meeting in the old Burnet House on Dec. cluding its first 100 years as a Queen City Dexter Avenue it occupied in 1899.

We today on the same permanent site on Talbert, Ken Rosewall, Vic Sexias, Ash- THE CINCINNATI Tennis Club Is con- Phipps, Shillito and Taft. That early every bit as rich. Over the years, CTc has had a President and Publisher an editorial which appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer last December Cincinnati Tennis Club, Hamilton County, Ohio - EAST FACADE OF THE COUETS) 1880 - 1939 THE CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB CHAIN UNK FENKE 5 CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB DEXTER AVENUE CINCINNATI. OHIO Hamilton County LOWER FENCE CHAIN LINK UPPER FEB 23 1983 Federal Agency:_ Recom. /Criteria - Date Due: - see continuation sheet -Nomination returned for: -technical corrections cited below Name 2. Location 3. Classification 4. Owner of Property 5. Location of Legal Description 7.

Description REJECT completeness RETURN alterations/integrity Cincinnati Tennis Club Hamilton County clarity Reviewer resubmission summary paragraph owner objection Working No. nomination by person or local government 6. Representation in Existing Surveys _substantive reasons discussed below IATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES Action: Discipline Fed. Reg. Date: - boundary selection National ACCEPT Substantive Review: Bntered In the appeal 3/29/83 justification of exception - Other 9. Major Bibliographical References 10. Geographical Data 11. Form Prepared By Signed checked context clarity Date completeness Photographs summary paragraph justification of areas relating significance to applicable criteria the resource 12. State Historic Preservation Officer Certification 8.

Significance Comments for any item may be continued on an attached sheet Questions concerning this nomination may be directed to Cincinnati, Ohio Facing northwest toward clubhouse August 1982 CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Photograph #1 Photographer: Rita Walsh Cincinnati, Ohio entrance Facing northeast toward clubhouse August 1982 CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Photograph #2 Cincinnati, Ohio Photographer: CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB side of clubhouse Facing southeast toward back (west) August 1982 Photographer: Rita Walsh Cincinnati, Ohio Facing northeast toward back (west) August 1982 side of clubhouse CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Photograph #4 Photographer: Rita Walsh Cincinnati, Ohio clubhouse Facing northeast from porch of Photograph #5 August 1982 CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Cincinnati, Ohio tennis courts Society Photo from Cincinnati Historical 19l6 Tri-State Tournament CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB Facing SW from lower tier of Cincinnati, Ohio tennis courts CINCINNATI TENNIS CLUB September 1982 Facing Sw from lower tier of Rita Walsh, photographer 7.5 MINUTE SERIES (TOPOGRAPHIC) 50 GEOLOGICAL SURVEY CINCINNATI EAST QUADRANGLE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR CINCINNATI EAST, OHIO OHIO-HAMILTON CO.

UNITED STATES ROAD CLASSIFICATION N3907.5W8422.5/7.5 Marvin P. Richmond J. Randolph Gregson Julius Larkin Hoyt First Vice-President Second Vice-President Kansas City, Missouri Portola Valley, California Phoenix, Arizona New Orleans, Louisiana Newburgh, New York United States Tennis Association Incorporated 1002 Commerce Tower, Kansas City, MO 64105, (816) 421-5380 August 3, 1982 Washington, D. C. Dear Mr. Director: President of the 101 year old United States Tennis Association, I am ship, the French Championship and the Championship at Wimbledon, England. TENNIS - The Sport for a Lifetime- Become a Life Member USTA President Secretary lifetime.

National Park Service Director of National Register of Historic Places In addition to great players, the Club has also had many distinguished The Cincinnati Tennis Club is one of the oldest and most distinguished ticipated in one or more of the Tri-State Championships.It's roster of United States Department of the Interior importantly for the outstanding service which the Club has rendered to won every major singles championship including the United States Champion- Association recently honored it as a founding member of the USTA and more writing to heartily endorse that application. proposed for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.As tennis in the entire Ohio valley region.

the Association and to tennis in its own community over its 1o2 year old The Cincinnati Tennis Club was founded in l88o.The United States Tennis winners reads like a "Who's Who" of tennis - Beals Wright, William Tilden, Hunter L. Delatour, Jr. Gordon D. Jorgensen I understand that the Cincinnati Tennis Club of Cincinnati, Ohio has been Bobby Riggs, Frank Parker, William Talbert, Tony Trabert, May Sutton, area and hosted a very well-run world class tournament for the citizens of the area. This, of course, did a great deal to further the interest in prominent players are William Talbert and Tony Trabert. the Club continued to bring the world's leading players to the Cincinnati Treasurer tennis players and distinguished citizens among its membership.

Both of these Tony Trabert has great tennis player of the world during that long span of time has par- served as captains of.the United States Davis Cup team. The Cincinnati Tennis Club has had a very large number of distinguished - Dírector of National Register August 3, 1982 and Chief Justice of the United States; Potter Stewart, a Justice of the century, many of its players have gone on to college championship level very truly yours MPR : hee level. President club members have been distinguished leaders in the Greater Cincinnati area in the business community and in the arts and sciences. Ohio State High School Championship and many more have won other important generations of fine citizens dedicated to the welfare of the Club and to Thank you very much. this lifetime.

The Cincinnati Tennis Club is also most remarkable in that it has occupied The Cincinnati Tennis Club has also contributed many leaders to the United of Historic Places its present site since 19oo.Its buildings and grounds have really been committee chairmen or officersof the USTA and of the Western.They Many other Marvin P. Richmond development of young tennis players. It is one of the few private clubs which offers a scholarship program to promising young players. immortalized by generations of the world's leading tennis players and by and on to the major world circuit. States Tennis Association and to its subdivision, and President and Chairman of the Procter and Gamble Company.

the Community.For all of these reasons,I sincerely hope that you will have been national collegiate singles champions.S The Cincinnati Tennis Club has played the leading role in the area in the to interest in tennis in the entire Ohio Valley area for the course of grant it the honor of a place on the National Register of Historic Places. the welfare of the sport of tennis and to the encouraging of play in the the Western Tennis Page Two Over the ROBERT J. BRODBECK - CHAIRMAN CITY PLANNING COMMISSION HUBERT E. GUEST L. MONTY ERB - VICE CHAIRMAN ESTELLE B. BERMAN ROOM 222. CITY HALL CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 ERWIN E. HOFFMAN SAMUEL T. BRITTON PHONE 352-3471 ELLSWORTH LOVE LAND USE AND ZONING SYLVESTER MURRAY December 1, 1982 Columbus, Ohio 43211 City Planner AC: rmc Equal Opportunity Employer ADMINISTRATOR Sincerely, Encl.

Preservation Advisory Board ALL-AMERICA CITY Board voted its support for the nomination to the National Register of the Ohio Historic Sites Ohio Historical Center Historic Conservation Office Adele Cramer At its meeting on November 15,1982,the Cincinnati Historic Conservation DIRECTOR OF CITY PLANNING Dear Board Members: I-71 and 17th Avenue THOMAS B. BRUSH 1980-1981 included in the enclosed staff report. Exhibit A November 10, 1982 Subject: National Register Nomination Owner and Nominator - Cincinnati Tennis Club The Cincinnati Tennis Club has been nominated, not for architectural fmportance, when ft was established on its present site. At that time, it began to host the Tri-State Tournament.

The Tri-State was, during the early decades of the nament is played fn the Cincinnati area, though now in Targer facilitfes at Tri-State Tournament Included such tennis notables as Molla Bjurstedt, a Norwegian attributable to the club's employment in 1917 of a professional instructor, one Kings Island. Comments former National Singles champion and regarded by most critics as the greatest than the building since important events and people are associated more with the on the architectural integrity and more on other characteristics. the significance.

Honorable Historic Conservation Board twentieth century,surpassed in importance only by the National Lawn Tennis Association Tournament at Newport, Rhode Island.The Tri-State was held at the ating the significance of a nomination based on historical significance rely less Tennis was introduced into the United States in 1874.Founded 1n 1880,the "A property important for association with an event, historical or person(s) ideally might retain some features pertaining to all seven: The following nomination has been given preliminary approval by the Ohio Historic of the first clubs in the Midwest to do so. tennis player at the time, also played in the 1915 Tri-State Tournament. prominent role in the promotion of tennis did not begin,however,until 1899, Cincinnati Tennis Club (Dexter & Wold Avenues, East Walnut H111s) but for historical significance.

In this case, the site has more significance location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association However, integrity of design and workmanship might not be as relevant to Throughout the years of the Tri-State Tournament, nationally and internationally- Cincinnati, Ohio tfon Board will be forwarded to OHSPAB before their December 3,1982, meeting. Locally the club was prominent in Inter-Club matches.Its victories were probably courts than with the clubhouse. According to the National Park Service booklet whom he had recently won the National Doubles Championship. Maurice McLoughlin, Cincinnati Tennis Club was the second oldest club west of the Alleghenfes.Its and Bobby Riggs winner 1936,1938 and 1940)played here.The 1915 Nomination prepared by Rita Halsh, Miami Purchase Association.

evidenced by the fact that the ATP (Association of Tennis Professfonals) Tour- (How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation),criteria for evalu- Staff recommends support of the Cincinnati Tennis Club nomination.

AC: rmc Approved: Recommendation Adele Cramer City Planner Urban Conservator Tennis Club exceeds the requirements here.Integrity of the site is also national prominence in the early years of tennis reflects a significant theme Respectfully submftted, When judged by the new guidelines for applying the National Register criteria, required,but the measure of integrity for historical significance is somewhat Criteria A (association with important events and Criteria B (association with the Cincinnati Tennis Ciub Site appears to qualify.The Cincinnati Tennis Club's the clubhouse (built 1906) has been altered,ft still mafntains its rustic appear- Genevieve Ray courts do not diminish the historical integrity of the site.

and during the time which the club achieved significance,these additional prominent individuals).The property needs to meet only one criteria,so the in both Cincinnati's and the nation*s past.The Tennis Club site meets both February 18, 1983 Ms. Carol Shull 440 G Street, N.W. Dear Ms. Shull: Mont gomery Ohio State. Reformatory Please let me know if we can provide any additional information. W.

Ray Luce State Historic Preservation Officer Sincerely, Hamilton Richland Licking Duncarrick Ottawa FEB231983 RECEIVED County Ohio Historic Preservation Office Name New Submissions: NATIONAL REGISTER Summit Lakeside Delaware Building Bernheim House First Lutheran Church Millersburg Historic District Cincinnati Tennis Club Enclosed are eight new submissions and two resubmissions returned by your staff National Park Service National Register of Historic Places Berwick Hotel Please.note that national significance has been checked for Lakeside. Department of the Interior Holmes for more information.All the new nominations have been approved by the state review board and all appropriate notification procedures have been followed. Bryn Mawr Washington, D.C. 20240 WRL: DS:dd Ohio Historical Center 1-71& 17th Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43211 (614) 466-1500 Encl.