Historic Clubhouse
  •  Original Hercules Center 
  • Exterior Restoration 
  • Interior Restoration 
  • Bowling Alley 
  • Stained Glass Project 
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    click on any picture to enlarge

    		 Originally built in 1899 by the California Powder Works, this view is of the side entrance to the restored Clubhouse as it appeared on its original site, opposite the old Hercules plant. This porch entrance leads into the bar, which adjoins the museum room.
    Preserving its history, the City obtained a 20 year lease on the old Hercules plant's Clubhouse in 1980. The City committed to the preservation of its historical heritage as shown by the creation of a Historic Overlay District and encouragement in the restoration of 20 of the original company homes by a private developer. 

    In July 1982, HHS was formed and began the restoration of the Clubhouse's bar area, which included the creation of a large stained glass sky light. HHS also committed to the restoration of Clubhouse restrooms and its back porch. Equipment was donated for a full service commercial kitchen. 

    The Clubhouse originally housed the area's first indoor swimming pools. This basement pool was subsequently removed and a two lane bowling alley was installed, which remains today. 

    In July 1993, HHS entered into a sublease with the City Of Hercules for the use, as a museum, of the former Clubhouse library area. 

    Due to ongoing development and construction in the waterfront area, access to the Clubhouse, and subsequently to the museum, is not available at this time. HHS continues to work towards the day when this wonderful cornerstone of our community is once again open to the public.
    ORIGINAL HERCULES CENTER
    Administrative offices and manager's homes were located outside of the California Powder Works plant's gates.  When Hercules began to grow in the mid 1970's, City departments moved into some of these vacant buildings.  The Hercules City Hall occupied one of the former homes. The house that was once occupied in 1910 by Nathaniel Hawthorne, grandson of "The Scarlett Letter" author and which later served as the residence of the Chief Clerk and his family became the Hercules Police Department. The former Guard House, seen in the back left of the Clubhouse picture, became the post office and later housed a crafts store in the early 1990's.
    EXTERIOR RESTORATION
    Volunteers stripped paint, removed rotted timbers, replaced porches, stairs and siding.
    INTERIOR RESTORATION
    Restoration of the bar area began in 1984 and was completed in 1986.  The main room with its stage and tremendous bay window was used as a frequent site for the annual "Victorian Faire" which started in 1980.
    BOWLING ALLEY
    The bowling alley, with its pin setting machinery and two polished lanes as it appreared in 1985.
    STAINED GLASS PROJECT
    Volunteers designed and created a large stained glass skylight, that depicted images and symbols revelant to the City of Hercules.  The skylight was set in the ceiling of the bar area and remains there to this day.