 Ground was broken for the building in April 1902, and the first major event reported to be held at the club was a luncheon for the newly appointed territorial governor Alexander Oswald Brodie, on July 22, 1902.The club soon developed a reputation for elegance that rivaled that of some of the nation's most exclusive clubs.At the time of its opening, three men occupied the house and co-owned it as shareholders, Leo Goldschmidt, Herbert Tenney, and M.P.