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| Vintage postcard postmarked 1923. |
The
Lorain Country Club may have only been in existence as a local golf course for about 25 years, but it leaves behind has a rich legacy. Its lakefront clubhouse on Lake Road opposite the Pueblo is also well-remembered, as a setting for a variety of social events, and later, as a popular nightclub.
Back in 2017 I did a single post on the Lorain Country Club, focusing on the fiery demise of the Clubhouse on Dec. 6, 1954. I indicated then that I had some additional clippings in my file. Here they are.
On March 26, 1919, a small article in the Lorain Times-Herald revealed the plans for the club's creation.
It noted, "A country club will be formed in Lorain. This was determined yesterday when a meeting of a number of Lorain men was held at the farm of D. D. Deeds west of the city.
"The tentative plan is to organize a country club company with a capital of $100,000. It is proposed to buy 13 acres of land on the lake shore. This would include part of the farm of D. D. Deeds and the Nichols farm, west of Lorain. Slater's grove would be included in the tract.
"A club house would be built on the lakefront with a modern bath house nearby.
"An eighteen hole golf course, tennis courts and a landing place for aeroplanes would be included in the project."
Another article appeared in the Lorain Times-Herald on April 3, 1919, provided additional details of the ambitious plans for the country club.
The intention was to build a three-story clubhouse with "a lounge, dining room and a modern kitchen, sleeping rooms and accommodations for week-end parties.
"There will be broad verandas overlooking the lake, screen dining porches and sun rooms for use on chilly days.
"In the club house will be a large well-built dance floor for the use of members. All of the equipment will be modern and intended to provide comfort during the time members and their families will spend at the club.
"An 18 hole golf course will be laid out on the property south of the shore road.
"Plans now provide for a gun club with a shooting range, for a yacht club and a boys' and girls' summer camp. Jetties will be built at Slater's grove for the accommodation of yachts.
"A large aeroplane landing field will be provided on the south side of the property.
It didn't take long for financial backing to materialize, according to this small article from the April 15, 1919 Lorain Times-Herald.
And the news spread quickly as well. This small item appeared in the
Sandusky Register on June 28, 1919.
The goal of a brand new clubhouse was apparently put on hold, as the article notes that "the house standing on the grounds will be converted into a club house."
The impending opening of the Lorain Country Club's clubhouse is mentioned in the March 20, 1920 Chronicle-Telegram in a small item mixed in with other Lorain news tidbits.
Once it opened, the Lorain Country Club and its members seemed to be in the
Lorain Journal sports section every day.
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| Dec. 29, 1927 |
The big news for the Club in 1929 was the proposed addition of nine new holes to make it an 18-hole course. The
Cleveland Plain Dealer printed two small items in 1929 making the announcement.
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| April 21, 1929 |
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| Nov. 17, 1929 |
The
Plain Dealer also gave it a headline on one of its sports pages on May 25, 1930 (
below). It provides a nice description of many of the holes, and describes the course itself as "a pleasant little layout on rolling terrain and cut by a winding and high banked creek, deep enough to fish in. It has trees, hills and water, but not any of them to excess."
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| May 25, 1930 |
The eagerly anticipated opening of the back nine was featured prominently in the
Lorain Journal on July 3, 1930.
However, disaster struck in the early hours of July 4, 1930 with a fire that destroyed the golf shop/caddie house – along with thousands of dollars' worth of golf clubs. The big July 4th event went on as scheduled, however.
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| Lorain Journal, July 5, 1930 |
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| Lorain Times-Herald, July 5, 1930 |
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| Cleveland Plain Dealer, July 5, 1930 |
Plans to rebuild the caddyshack were announced immediately.
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| July 8, 1930 Lorain Times-Herald |
Perhaps the replacement of the caddie house inspired the club trustees to resurrect the idea of building a new clubhouse, as noted in this small article from the July 20, 1930 Sandusky Register.
As a once-upon-a-time caddy and golfer I enjoy such posts. Thanks! I might've been suspicious of a large fire so near the opening of the expanded course.
ReplyDeleteI wanna know what was up with the inmate who tried to eat his clothes.
ReplyDeleteI've had Lorain County jail food (as part of a grand jury jail inspection). With hot dogs that were red on one end and blue on the other, a pair of sox doesn't really sound all that bad!
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