"The Ojai" Timeline to 1947
1887 – Sherman Thacher arrives in Ojai. It is ten years after his brother William is intercollegiate tennis champion while a junior at Yale University. Sherman begins tutoring students and eventually establishes The Thacher School.
1892 – The first tennis court in the valley is built at Thacher School.
1893 – Ojai’s first tennis tournament is held at Thacher School.
1895 – William Thacher forms the Ojai Valley Tennis Club.
1896 – Tennis competition begins with a match between the Ojai Valley and Ventura Tennis Clubs.
1897 – Inter-county competition sponsored by the Ojai Tennis Club includes Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.
1898 – A tennis tournament pits the best players of northern and southern California, captivating the town.
1899 – Tournament adopted new rules and multiple categories of play. Many consider this the first “The Ojai.”
1892 – The first tennis court in the valley is built at Thacher School.
1893 – Ojai’s first tennis tournament is held at Thacher School.
1895 – William Thacher forms the Ojai Valley Tennis Club.
1896 – Tennis competition begins with a match between the Ojai Valley and Ventura Tennis Clubs.
1897 – Inter-county competition sponsored by the Ojai Tennis Club includes Ventura, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Pasadena.
1898 – A tennis tournament pits the best players of northern and southern California, captivating the town.
1899 – Tournament adopted new rules and multiple categories of play. Many consider this the first “The Ojai.”
William Thacher, Ojai Tennis Club founder
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Players at the first tournament held by the Ojai Valley Tennis Club
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1907 - Girls’ interscholastic competition begins.
1912 – With 272 entrants in 12 events, “The Ojai” is the largest tournament of its kind in the United States.
1916 – Women’s intercollegiate competition is added.
1918 – Play continues, despite World War I. But for the first and only time, it takes place in Los Angles due to a major Ojai fire.
1924 – The 29th Ojai was canceled at the last minute due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the state, restricting travel.
1930s – “The Ojai” grew and prospered, drawing players from all over the western United States.
1943 – World War II cancels the tournament.
1947 – “The Ojai” returns.
1912 – With 272 entrants in 12 events, “The Ojai” is the largest tournament of its kind in the United States.
1916 – Women’s intercollegiate competition is added.
1918 – Play continues, despite World War I. But for the first and only time, it takes place in Los Angles due to a major Ojai fire.
1924 – The 29th Ojai was canceled at the last minute due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the state, restricting travel.
1930s – “The Ojai” grew and prospered, drawing players from all over the western United States.
1943 – World War II cancels the tournament.
1947 – “The Ojai” returns.
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Edith Bristol and Irene Proboshasky, girls doubles champs 1921 and 1922
Early award winners Keith Gledhill, boys champ 1927 |
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Early tournament activity