From the beginning
The First Carlist War (1833-1839) was in its final stages when 133 illustrious citizens of Bilbao decided to found a social club similar to those that were appearing in other European countries.
Thus, one day in May 1839, the founders of the Sociedad Bilbaina met and appointed the first Board of Directors. The first tasks of this commission were to select a suitable location for the new club and to draft the first regulations by which the entity would be governed.
The commission held further meetings, but since no minutes were drawn up, their content is unknown.
In July of that same year, the entity called the General Meeting again to report on the progress made in its projects, and present the proposed regulation that the first Board of Directors had drafted.
Days later, on August 31, in Vergara, Espartero and Maroto signed with a hug the end of the first civil war of the century.
Finally, on October 15, 1839, the General Board met again and made the following agreements: approve the regulations; confirm the appointments of the Board of Directors and approve their management; approve the election of the social premises (which was to be its headquarters for 75 years) on the first floor of house No. 5 of Plaza Nueva; and the designation of the person in charge of the premises. Regarding all these issues, minutes were drawn up, the first in the history of the Bilbao club. It is unknown at what point in the entire process it was decided to name the club Sociedad Bilbaina.
