Racquet Club of Philadelphia

The Racquet Club of Philadelphia (RCOP) is a private social club and athletic club in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It has facilities for squash, real tennis, and racquets. Established in 1889, the club started its life in a modest facility at 923 Walnut Street. Under the leadership of George D. Widener, the current 16th Street Clubhouse was built by noted architect Horace Trumbauer. Historian Nathaniel Burt described the new 1907 Clubhouse as "by far the best appointed...of all Philadelphia clubs." However, Burt notes that the Club has "less social standing" among the Old Philadelphian establishment than other older clubs. The clubhouse is one of the first reinforced concrete structures designed in Philadelphia, and also includes the...