William P. Bonbright built the Turf Club to house exclusive club rooms for the city's most successful businessmen. A year later, he sold the building and the business to John Harnan, who continued to operate the club. Harnan earned his fortune with Victor's famed Portland Mine. From January 1892 to December 1896, the Portland Mine grew from 1/10th of an acre to 135 acres. During that time, it paid out more than $900,000 in dividends. John Harnan and his two partners received the majority of those profits.