Since 1903, the Missouri Athletic Club (MAC) has established itself as a Platinum Club in St. Louis by exemplifying the following mission: to create extraordinary experiences in all aspects of Club life in the spirit of excellence, service and tradition. The MAC opened its doors on Sept. 13, 1903, born into a city bustling with preparations for the 1904 Olympics and World's Fair. The original Clubhouse was established in the Boatman's Bank Building at 4th and Washington Ave. in Downtown St. Louis. The catalyst for establishing the Club was Charles Henry Genslinger, who had successfully opened clubs in New Orleans and New York prior. The spectacular new Club played a pivotal role hosting dignitaries from around the world who were visiting St. Louis for the Olympics and World's Fair. Athletes from the MAC competed in boxing, wrestling, water polo, swimming and track at the Olympic Games. With a prestigious athletic staff as its foundation and building on the 1904 Olympics, the MAC became a strong member of the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU). Club athletes won Olympic medals and national AAU events over the following decades. Early MAC athletes like Joseph Forshaw, Harry Kiener and Culver Halstedt became known far beyond the boundaries of St. Louis. The MAC's impact on the athletic scene came to a sudden halt when a tragic fire destroyed the original Clubhouse in March 1914. Within two weeks after the fire, a committee was appointed to design and erect a new, more elaborate Clubhouse in the same location. A special committee funded the project with bonds sold to prominent St. Louis businessmen like August A. Busch. The present-day Downtown Clubhouse opened its doors on Mar. 1, 1916. Since its establishment, the Club has endured by adapting to changing times while remaining a strong community pillar for countless business, professional and civic leaders and their families. Building on a storied past, the MAC always keeps an eye on the future. In 1995, the Club purchased the former Town and Country Racquet Club in suburban St. Louis, which allowed the Club to offer more programs like tennis and outdoor swimming. In 2004, a major expansion and renovation were completed at the West Clubhouse. In 2000, the MAC was awarded "Platinum Club" status for the first time. This designation considers the quality of Membership, tradition and heritage, facilities, amenities, Club management and staff. Of the more than 5,000 private clubs across the country, only 150 are awarded "Platinum Club" status. With this award, the MAC has distinguished itself as among the top 5% of private clubs in the country every year since. In May of 2007, the Club was again recognized for its prestige and history. The Downtown Clubhouse was added to the National Register of Historic Places, forever making it a landmark in St. Louis. The Missouri Athletic Club's rich history provides a powerful foundation on which to build. The vision of the Missouri Athletic Club is to be the foremost private Club in St. Louis known for attracting exceptional people and enriching lives for generations. The Club's strong heritage, coupled with the commitment of both Membership and staff to the MAC's mission of excellence and vision for the future, assures that the MAC will continue to be a respected and admired institution for years to come.