Ren's Did You Know? - “Renwick Gymnasium”

Most alumni who remember “Renwick Gymnasium” will associate the name with a different building and site than the original built in 1899–1900 during the tenure of President Ferguson. The confusion stems from the fact that the Renwick name fell out of use early in the building’s history, and when a larger facility, originally built to house the Student Army Training Corps in 1918, was converted to use as a gymnasium in 1919 and dubbed the “Big Gym,” the original Renwick Gymnasium became the “Little Gym.” In 1930, in order to make room for the construction of Bridges Auditorium, it was moved to a site north of its larger partner. In 1950, when Memorial Gymnasium was completed east of Smiley (where Rains Center now stands), the two earlier wooden gyms were joined, re-christened William Renwick Gymnasium to preserve this important early College name, and dedicated to physical education for women. The 1899 structure was destroyed by fire in 1952.
The original Renwick Gymnasium contained “a bowling alley, chest weights, rings, bars, etc. for systematic exercise.” Outside were an improved track, baseball diamond and tennis courts. Its construction was funded by a $2,500 gift from Mrs. Helen Goodwin Renwick, Claremont; $1,600 raised by students; and the remainder contributed by the College. According to E. Wilson Lyon, Pomona’s teams responded to the new building with a series of highly successful football and track seasons. Architect Robert A.M. Stern has described its design as “South African Dutch Baroque cum Mission Style,” noting that in the context of Holmes and Pearsons halls, it suggested that the College had not yet established a consistent image.