PEARL McMANUS, BENEFACTOR

Books, newspaper and magazine archives, myth and folk tales passed through the last century tell of the life, times and contributions of Pearl McCallum McManus, daughter of early pioneer J.G. McCallum.  Pearl married real estate mogul Austin G. McManus of Pasadena; and with his guidance and encouragement, Pearl developed into a shrewd land trader. She learned to make the deeds of properties she sold reversible for architectural reasons. 

 

There are no such restrictions in her gift deed of the land to the site of the clubhouse for PSWC.  She no doubt had a great deal of “approval right” in the architecture and the selection of John Porter Clark, AIA.  The opening tea of each season is designated as Pearl McManus Day and members pay tribute to Pearl for her contributions to the club and the community and for how she helped shape what they are today

 

She is one of sixty-five charter members.  She helped the club set up its scholarship program and one day told its president, "All right, you select one boy and send him to college through the club, and I will take the other one and send him to college myself.”  She is remembered as a role model for responsibility, integrity, generosity and thrift, and passion for fulfilling one’s life purpose.  These same characteristics are found in members today, and essential to skillfully guiding the future course of PSWC.

Pearl created a charitable institution to continue her good works. She often said she thought her father had not received the recognition he deserved for his role in founding Palm Springs. As a tribute to him through her will, she established the McCallum Desert Foundation in the memory of J.G. McCallum. 

The foundation gave PSWC grants of $25,000 in 1983 and $10,000 in 1986.

 

JOHN PORTER CLARK, ARCHITECT

The clubhouse was designed by John Porter Clarke, and dedicated in 1939.  It is an example of early California modern style and the forerunner to acclaimed Palm Springs mid-century architecture of Clarke, Albert Frey, Richard Nuetra, William Cody, Craig Ellwood, and many others.  The modern style attracts visitors and students of architecture from around the world.  PSWC is ideally situated in the center of the earliest historic neighborhood– the Tennis Club, which was also created by Pearl McManus.