The Street Seen: Elks At Ocean & Pico
1811 Ocean Avenue @ Pico
From 1912 to 1942, Santa Monica Elks occupy their custom-built lodge and clubhouse on Ocean Ave near Pico.
By 1910, the Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 original clubhouse on the corner of Ocean and Arizona is too small for the growing membership.1 A search is made for a location where a combined lodge and clubhouse can be erected under one roof. In 1911, real estate developers (and Elk members), Carl F. Schader (1870 - 1934) and Bernard Sues (1862 - 1937), seeking to improve their Ocean and Pico Ave developments, donate a site2 on Ocean Ave near Pico.3
Henry X. Goetz (1861 - 1944), contractor for many early buildings in Santa Monica and Venice, is chosen as architect.4 The 3-story over basement building occupies the entire 50 ft x 150 ft lot - no parking is provided. The basement contains a restaurant, game rooms, and a gymnasium. The ground floor is lodge club rooms, and the upper 2 floors include 22 sleeping apartments.
Goetz is awarded the $29,000 construction contract for the lodge.5 Construction starts in May 1912, and the lodge is dedicated in February 1913. The “Elks Hall Association" corporation finances the new lodge by selling the Ocean Ave & Arizona clubhouse, and by a bond issue. The debt is paid off by 1921.
In the years immediately following World War I, fraternal organizations nationwide experience significant growth. By 1920, the Santa Monica Elks’ Ocean & Pico clubhouse is too small for its membership.6 In 1926, the Elks, with membership approaching 2,000, move to a new custom building at Main Street and Pier Avenue.
In 1933 (during the Depression), the Santa Monica Elks, unable to make payments on their Main & Pier building, file for bankruptcy, and move (under a lease) back to their 1811 Ocean Ave Lodge.7 Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 enjoys a reputation for hospitality and hosts four Elks State Conventions - in 1922, 1926, 1935, and 1939. In 1936, 1811 Ocean Ave is sold for $60,000 in a sheriff’s sale. The Elks continue to occupy (lease) the building until March 1942 when the Santa Monica Elks end their involvement with 1811 Ocean Ave.8
In 1944, the 1811 Ocean Ave building is used as a World War II Air Force entertainment center. From 1944 to 1957 the building is vacant. Â In 1958, ostensibly on the grounds that the property is needed for Civic Center parking, the City of Santa Monica files a condemnation suit on the property. Charges of racial discrimination are made. The 1811 Ocean building is demolished by the City in 1960.
By 1913, Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 has over 700 members.
Schader and Sues donate Lot 6 of Tract 1347 to Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906
The move from Ocean & Arizona to Ocean & Pico brings Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 closer to its members in Ocean Park, Venice, and Culver City.
Local architects Eager & Eager and C.C. Cross also submit plans for the lodge. Goetz, an Elks charter member awarded the design, has no formal architectural training.
Goetz is now both project architect and contractor, and the Elks hire a new supervising architect for the construction.
In 1920, Santa Monica Elks membership is approaching 1500. Auto parking space near the clubhouse initiation nights is in demand for blocks.
From 1927 through 1933, the 1811 Ocean building (owned by the Elks) is rented to various other groups, including the American Legion. The debt-free 1811 Ocean building is part of the collateral for the bond issue on the Elks Main & Pier building.
From 1942 to 1978, the Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 is located at 21st St & Wilshire.
Santa Monica Elks Lodge No. 906 is presently located on Pico Boulevard.
