Betty Lou Young Our First Century: The Los Angeles Athletic Club 1880-1980, LAAC Press: Los Angeles, California 1979, 176pp., 1930s
"In July, 1930, a block of stock was purchased in the Santa Monica Deauville Club, a romantic Norman structure built in 1926 as an adjunct to a projected city club at Sixth and Flower streets. Reputedly patterned after the famous Casino in Deauville, France, the building had a choice location between the SMAC and the Santa Monica pier, a beach frontage of 250 feet, and was valued at a million dollars. No courtesies were exchanged with the LAAC, however, until full affiliation took place in the mid-thirties.
11. The Tenth Olympiad
" . . . winning four AAU championships in 1930- . . . the gymnasts, led by Leo Vandendaele in tumbling and Paul Krempel in the flying rings.
"At the July swimming meet, Buster Crabbe won two freestyle events and the medley . . .
" . . . 1932 . . . The LAAC water polo team, which was chosen to represent the U.S., was unfortunately weakened when three of its strongest members were disqualified under AAU rules for working as lifeguards." p.127
" . . . the Riviera Country Club was busy welcoming the visiting equestrians . . .
"Los Angeles greeted each national contingent in the spirit of La Fiesta: the Czechs were entertained at the Deuville, the Germans at the Surf and Sand . . .
12. Faith in the Future
" . . .
"The Wheelman of the Past Century held annual dinner meetings at the Club from 1926 to 1942, reliving their past heroics . . . In 1936 Sheriff Biscailuz was installed as chairman and served until the group disbanded.
" . . .
"The Depression also brought renewed emphasis to the physical and spiritual benefits of body-building. A Life Extension Department . . . "Why suffer from auto-intoication, lowered vitality, colds, constipation, despondence. [Memories of Sandow, who died in 1925, were revived in the thirties as part of the physical culture movement.]
" . . .
"The sixth Allied Club, the Santa Monica Deauville, was added to the chain in 1935 when the mortgage (held by the LAAC), interest, and taxes all came due simultaneously. Architecturally attractive, the new club was famous for its handsome espanade and for its plunge, the largest fresh water indoor pool on the coast.
"The original design for the Deuville had included a tower with athletic facilities and and guest rooms. When the City of Santa Monica decided not to let any structure interfere with the view from the palisades, however, the tower had to be deleted, taking away much of the beach club's year-round appeal. Joined in management with the Santa Monica Athletic Club, the two clubs could at least cooperate. The SMAC provided a limited number of rooms and some athletic facilities, while all of the food preparation was transferred to the modern Deauville kitchens.
"In summer business was brisk. "Club hopping" was a popular pastime in the thirties when a dozen beach clubs lined the strand, and swimming pools had not yet become backyard commodities. The Deauville provided a rendezvous for college students on Friday nights with dancing to Ted Miller's orchestra, a complete dinner for $1.50, and an economy-minded supper for $1.15." p. 142