This month, 109 years ago, the flames licked at the walls of the Missouri Athletic Club, devouring everything in their path. The smoke filled the air, making it difficult to breathe. The heat was unbearable, and the sound of the fire was deafening.

The Members and guests in the Club at the time were trapped. Some tried to escape by climbing down fire escapes, some jumped. When it was all over, 37 men were dead. The Missouri Athletic Club was destroyed and the city of St. Louis was in mourning.



But even amid tragedy, there was hope. The members of the MAC were determined to rebuild their Club. They knew that they could not let the fire defeat them. They knew that they had to come back stronger than ever.
And they did.

The Members banded together and raised the money to rebuild. A new Clubhouse, even better than the old one, was constructed in just two years’ time. It was bigger; made of stone and steel. It had a new swimming pool and a new gymnasium. The MAC was quickly regarded as one of the most prestigious Clubs in the country – a legacy that stands to this day – and it is a testament to the resilience of the people of St. Louis.

Read more about the 1914 Fire at the MAC: The night the Missouri Athletc Club burned - the deadliest fire St. Louis has seen (stltoday.com)