The Treadwell Club was organized by Treadwell employees for the recreational and cultural enrichment of the community in 1903. The one-story 56 ½ ft. wide x 202 ½ ft. long building with 16 ft. high ceilings was constructed on pilings in about 1911 to accommodate the Club. The nearly 12,000 sq. ft. building housed a billiard room, a reading and letter-writing room, a 15,000-volume library, a darkroom, two bowling alleys, a ballroom, and a 500-seat auditorium where plays and concerts were held and “moving pictures” were shown. The floor was highly polished oak and there were ten bathrooms, a Turkish Steam Room, a cigar stand, and a barber shop with French mahogany walls and marble basins. The Club was open 24 hours a day, dues were one dollar per month, and everyone belonged. It was here that major social events such as the Cyanide Ball, Firemen’s Ball, and annual Valentine’s Day Dance, were held.
“The pianola is a decided acquisition to the Club. The records are very well chosen and include many of the finest selections from the best composers with just the right amount of popular music to suit all tastes.”
Douglas Island News, March 1, 1905
“Ed Christoe has taken the position at the Club cigar stand formerly held by Joe R. Jones.”
Douglas Island News August 26, 1914