Sports and Recreation Tour: Capital Yacht Club (1892-1959): In 1892, the Capital Yacht Club was founded and enhanced the social and athletics scenes in the Southwest waterfront.

During the late 19th century, DC’s Southwest waterfront was growing rapidly and filled with fish wharves, municipal piers for tobacco and farm produce, ice and coal docks, towing companies, and coastal steamship wharves. In 1892, the Capital Yacht Club was founded and enhanced the social and athletics scenes in the Southwest waterfront.

It was organized by nine yachtsmen who all resided in DC. The original clubhouse was built out of a coal scow and turned into a two-story clubhouse. The first-floor housed the yachts, while the second floor included space to socialize, including a balcony that overlooked the yachts out on the water. The club held sailing races each spring and summer and was well known for its annual 140-mile Annapolis Race. Many of the club members would take part in races all along Chesapeake Bay. During the winter, the clubhouse was used by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Washington Sea Scouts for training.

The original clubhouse was demolished in 1959, as the area underwent large-scale urban renewal. The club still exists today, but has moved locations and is now located at The Wharf.

This site is a stop on the Sports and Recreation in DC tour. It is not a desginated historic landmark.