Court Tennis Building
National Register Listing
Street Address:
Newberry and Park Sts., Aiken, SC (Aiken County)
NRHP Nomination Form
Record Number:
S10817702021
Description and Narrative:
The Aiken Club, an exclusive men’s club, was incorporated in 1898 and constructed its court tennis building about 1902. Court tennis, played on an indoor court utilizing the walls and ceiling, is an elite sport originated in France over 700 years ago. The Court Tennis Building is one of only nine courts in the United States. Constructed ca. 1902 and remodeled ca. 1936, it is a two-story rectangular brick building with a hip-on-hip roof. The Newberry Street elevation (northwest elevation) features seven bays delineated by buttressed wall pilasters. All bays have double eight-over-eight windows in the upper portion. The southeast and southwest elevations feature one-story frame, shingled wings. The wing on the southeast connects the Court Tennis Building to the Aiken Club Room, a small one-story, frame, gable roofed cottage that was moved to its present location ca. 1928. The Aiken Club Room was originally part of the Aiken Club building which, along with stables, a squash court, servant’s quarters and the tennis court made up the Aiken Club complex. Early members of the Aiken Club included Thomas Hitchcock and William C. Whitney. Listed in the National Register November 27, 1984.
Period of Significance:
1902;circa 1928;circa 1936
Level of Significance:
Local
Area of Significance:
Entertainment/Recreation
National Register Determination:
listed
Date of Certification:
November 27 1984
