Once Upon A Hillside: 25, 50, 75, 100, and 125 years ago
by David Mostardi
December 1898
The Hillside Club was born on 5 October 1898. No newspaper articles about the young
Hillside Club could be found this month.
December 1923
[The Hillside Clubhouse was destroyed in the Berkeley Fire of 17 September 1923]
Special Directors Meeting, Dec 3: It was the sense of the meeting that the Dirctors this
evening ask authority from the Club so that in their discretion the directors might buy
land adjacent to the present property, or sell a portion of the Club’s present holding.
Discussion of the building plan was held briefly with a report from Mr. McFarlan to the
effect that, in a talk with Mr. Maybeck about plans, Mr. Maybeck had expressed a wish
that the matter of plans for the new Clubhouse be referred to Mr. John White [Maybeck’s
brother-in-law and business partner], and Mr. McFarlan was asked to so consider the
matter with Mr. White.
Business Meeting, Dec 3: Mr. Priestley gave a brief sketch of the Christmas Ceremonial
as he and his committee were planning it. He explained the evening’s program and
presented suggestions and pictures helpful in carrying out the costuming desired for all
participants in the Ceremonial gathering. Mr. Priestley’s talk was followed by one from
Prof. Shaw, who spoke on “Some Wanderings Out and About” resulting from his
extended tour through the islands of the Pacific south to Australia and New Zealand.
After Prof. Shaw’s talk, the question of rebuilding was approached. Mrs. Hale reported
on the special Directors meeting, and introduced the question of the purchase of
additional property and the sale of part of the present lot. After discussion, the following
resolution was carried: “Resolved, that the Directors are authorized and empowered to
purchase land adjacent to the lot now owned by the Club, and to sell portions of the lot
now owned, or to be owned by the Club, at the discretion of the Directors, said purchase
and sale, if any, to be made only in connection with the rebuilding of the Clubhouse.”
Directors Meeting, Dec 10: It was moved and carried that the club send a Christmas gift
of $10 [approximately $180 in 2023 dollars] each to Mrs. Hoye, former housekeeper of
the Hillside Club [who was burned out in the fire], and Mrs. Kelly, housekeeper of the
Town & Gown Club. Moved and carried that $5 be sent to the Morning Bell Theatrical
Society, in recognition of their loan of Chinese costumes for use in the Chinese Opera
previously given by the Club, with a letter of appreciation of the loan.
Special Directors Meeting, Dec 16: This meeting was called for the purpose of discussing
the plans presented by Mr. John White, architect, and estimates thereon by Mr.
Livingston, contractor. [Only thirteen days have passed since Maybeck referred the club
to White.] Plans were explained, examined, and certain changes recommended,
particularly in reference to the Club kitchen and housekeeper’s rooms. The estimate of
$15,000 [$270,000 in 2023 dollars] by Mr. Livingston was discussed and the probable
cost of installing heating apparatus, plumbing, wiring, decorating, and painting was
added, raising it to about $19,000 [$342,000].
Ways and means of financing were then discussed. Mr. Galloway moved that we proceed
to build the club house according to the proposed plans. Carried. Mr. Galloway also
moved that the club not incur a debt of more than $10,000. Carried. Discussion then
followed of how to raise the amount needed. Both plans of “assessment” and “raise of
dues” were discarded. A request for gifts was thought to be the best plan.
Mr. McFarlan moved that the Board conclude that funds for financing the rebuilding
program in excess of the $10,000 to be borrowed and the $7,500 already on hand be
obtained by gifts from $5 to $500 as each may feel his ability to play; that no assessment
nor raise in dues be made. Also, that a committee be appointed by the Board to plan and
put into effect the details for obtaining these gifts. Moved that the President be authorized
to sign a contract with the architect to proceed with the plans and specification on the
basis previously stated. Carried.
Christmas Ceremonial, Dec 18: The gathering, consisting of the Club members and those
invited from their households met in the downstairs rooms, all attired in costumes that
tended to serve as a setting for the scene to be enacted. The stage, fitted to represent the
courtyard of the Inn at Bethlehem, gave opportunity for the enactment of the “old, old
story” of the Nativity. Following the last tableau, a goodly company of the men of the
chorus in old English garb, frolicked through the Hall, and in a most happy manner, sang
the carols and waits so quaint and characteristic of the season. The evening was a special
pleasure and the social time that followed was a true measure of the cordial good will that
made the evening so enjoyable. At the end of the Ceremonial, a gift of $100 from the
Twentieth Century Club was a great surprise, and much appreciated.
December 1948
Fireside Meeting, Dec 6: On his recent trip through the Pacific Northwest, Mr. Carl Fox
recorded his journey on colored film. We are to enjoy the results of his
photography—almost as enjoyable as taking the trip, and much less strenuous. Mrs.
Frederic Elliott will put us in the Christmas mood with a reading, “How Sandy Claus
Came to the River.”
Children’s Christmas Party, Dec 18: Santa Claus has promised the Chairmen that he will
be present with Tony, the organ grinder. There will be games, color movie cartoons (with
sound), a color movie of “The Night Before Christmas,” a Christmas tree, gifts for the
children, and refreshments for all. What more could be desired for a pleasant afternoon
for member, their children and grandchildren? Members are requested to provide a gift,
value not exceeding $1, for each child they bring to the party. Each gift should be
wrapped and plainly marked with the child’s name.
Christmas Ceremonial, Dec 20: This is a family night, and the Chairmen state that the
traditional Hillside ceremonies will be observed. The Radcliff College version of “Why
the Chimes Rang,” the Christmas story by Raymond Alden, will be presented under the
direction of Mrs. Spindt. The audience will play the part of the congregation in the
Cathedral scene. Mrs. Leatherman will assist or advise anyone in making ceremonial
robes.
December 1973
Fireside Meeting, Dec 3: William Penn Mott, Jr., State Director of Parks and Recreation,
will discuss this evening the topic “Parks are Forever.” Eminently qualified to explore the
subject by virtue of his education, interest, and administrative experience, Mr. Mott will
give us insight into future developments of our regional and state park system. We
anticipate a most interesting evening. [Mott (1909-1992) was a trained landscape
architect who in 1962 was hired as Director of the East Bay Regional Park District.
Governor Reagan named him Director of the California Park Service in 1967, and then
President Reagan named him Director of the National Park Service in 1985. His final
project was transitioning the Presidio of San Francisco into a national park.]
Photographic Arts Section, Dec 10: Rarely is the Photographic Arts Section assigned to
do a December program, but this year is an exception. We are presenting a slide program
of Yuletide around the world. Photographed by several different members of our Club,
the pictures include winter and Christmas scenes from Alaska to New Zealand, and from
Bethlehem to the South Seas.
Christmas Ceremonial, Dec 17: Christmas means many things. To Hillsiders it means the
traditional boar’s head and wassail bowl Ceremonial. Dressed in colored robes of
medieval design, we gather to listen to inspired Christmas words and music, to sing old
carols, to participate in the boar’s head processing, to drink from the wassail bowl, and to
converse with friends within the radiance of the yule log in our massive hearth.
December 1998
The Club’s archive of printed monthly newsletters ended with the May 1994 issue. If you
know of a source for any newsletters between 1994 and the Club’s renaissance in the
early 2000s, your historian would love to hear about it!