Founded in 1880 when Los Angeles was a growing town, forty of the most prominent members of the city came together to create this club for "the best young men" of the community. The initiation fee was only $5 with monthly dues being $1. Some sports at this club in the beginning were gymnastics boxing, handball, and velocipede (tall bicycle racing). L. Frank Baum was a member of The Uplifters, a invitation only social club, and created The Oz Film Manufacturing Company with him being the president, Louis F. Gottschalk (vice president), Harry Marston Haldeman (secretary), and Clarence R. Rundel (treasurer). The Los Angeles Athletic Club still accepts members and is open to this day.