The History of Our Building

In 1922, members of the Royal Oak Woman’s Club, who had been meeting in various locations throughout the community, decided it was time to find a larger, permanent home. Their search led to an opportunity to acquire one of Royal Oak’s oldest buildings, with the understanding that it would be preserved as an important part of the city’s history and used as the Club’s clubhouse. There was just one challenge: the building had to be moved immediately.

Originally built in 1839 as Royal Oak’s first Baptist church, the building later served other church organizations before becoming the village’s first town hall and, eventually, the city hall.

In 1923, the historic structure was moved to Lafayette Street on land donated by George Martin in honor of his wife, Mrs. Francis Lathrup Martin, the Club’s first president. The site itself held historical significance, as a blockhouse once stood there along the old Indian Trail connecting Detroit and Saginaw.

Five years later, the building was moved once again to its present location at Pleasant and Fourth Streets. A $20,000 mortgage was obtained and paid off within ten years. The building was remodeled in the Tudor style, and a cobblestone fireplace was added. Today, the hand-hewn beams in the dining room remain a visible reminder of the building’s remarkable history.

The clubhouse was designated a Michigan Registered Historic Site in 1979, with a historical marker added in 1985. In 1999, it was designated a Royal Oak Historic District.

As the oldest building in Royal Oak, the clubhouse remains a treasured piece of the city’s history and a source of pride for the Royal Oak Woman’s Club. Generations of members have worked to honor the commitment made more than a century ago to preserve this special building. Today, the clubhouse continues to serve the community, welcoming the city, local organizations, and the public for meetings, gatherings, and events.