American Country Clubs 
III. THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTRY CLUB 
By MABEL TUKE PRIESTMAN 
A RRIVING at the little station of Bala some six 
miles from Philadelphia, we find ourselves 
still quite a walk from the Philadelphia 
Country Club, but this need not deter the visitor, 
as carriages belonging to the club meet every train. 
The drive is full of interest as the surrounding country 
is very beautiful. The road gradually winds up the 
hill until it reaches the highest elevation of Fairmount 
Park upon which this picturesque club is situated. 
Before climbing the last hill the polo grounds can be 
seen stretching away on the right. On reaching the 
top of the hill, beautiful vistas are gradually unfolded. 
The grounds are carefully and tastefully laid out, 
the gnarled old fruit trees forming a striking 
feature of the beautifully kept lawns and drives, 
sloping away from the front of the club house. The 
scent of roses is wafted across from the quaint old 
flower garden, gay with a succession of old-world 
flowers and divided by box edges. Continuing the 
drive, we come to a long, low structure built in 
Colonial style. Its yellow pebble-dashed walls and 
white woodwork forming a beautiful contrast to the 
green of the surrounding trees. 
The interests of the club are all centered in this 
main club house. On entering, we notice the ser¬ 
vice quarters on the left, and the reception-room on 
the right, its soft green walls, and ivory woodwork 
making a pleasant contrast to the handsome 
mahogany furniture. A well designed fireplace adds 
dignity to the room, while the walls are covered with 
engravings suggestive of the sports of club life. 
A little writing-room with dainty appointments, 
adjoins the reception-room. The latter has two 
doorways opening into the hall. Coming out of the 
other doorway we find ourselves in the attractive hall. 
The hallway has a distinctly Southern Colonial 
feature with large doors opening directly through it, 
so familiar to the students of Southern architecture, 
and so necessary in that climate to insure a cool house. 
On the right of the staircase is the entrance to the 
THE CLUB HOUSE 
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