The Saddle and Cycle Country Club of Los Angeles

Not to be outdone by the rabble, the common riff-raff of Los Angeles, who were clearly having the time of their lives while riding their bikes around town, the hoity-toity folk of high society, in finely papered salons and elegant sitting rooms, got together in the middle of 1895 for the purpose of forming themselves into a proper cycling club to call their own. It should come as no surprise that the upper crust would, sooner or later, discover the pleasures of wheeling. In fact on 2 June the Los Angeles Herald ran an extensive series of stories devoted to recreational cycling, particularly in regard to proper attire, the health benefits, and the burgeoning presence of women participating in the activity.

Burdened with the ponderous name, Saddle and Cycle Country Club of Los Angeles. At the residence of prominent architect Sumner P. Hunt (Bradbury Building, Southwest Museum, Raymond Hotel, Pierpont Inn, ect), the group was formally organized, with Hunt elected president, Mrs. Victoria Harrell, vice-president, Mr. Callender, secretary and treasurer both, and J. E. Cook, captain. The assembled officers and other interested parties then adopted crimson, red and navy blue, as the official club colors. Within a short time, it was deemed that committees would establish the club constitution and by-laws, and begin to accept applications for membership.

Beside the offices listed above, the groups' charter members included: Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Vail, Mr. and Mrs. Edward D. Silent, Mr. and Mrs. William H. Holiday, Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Holterhoff, Mr. and Mrs. Ozro W. Childs, Mr. and Mrs. John Bradbury, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Stimson, Mr. and Mrs. William Caswell, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Sartori, Mr. and Mrs. Walter B. Cline, Mr. an Mrs. Edwin T. Earl, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens, Mr. and Mrs. Coote, Missus Mae Owens and Florence Silent, Mrssrs. William H. Davis, McAllister, and Morris Cook.