"Roanoke Country Club History"

Editors Note: This fascinating and detailed history of the Club was published in 1969 as part of the Club’s "70th Birthday Celebration." It was written by George Hanger. The author acknowledges "The help of the following in compiling this record , gratefully acknowledged: Mrs. Howard Hammersley, Editor "The Country Club News", Barton W. Morris, Jr., Times World Corporation, Edmund P. Goodwin, The Country Club Staff, Mrs. Virginia Tucker of the Virginia Room and all those other nice people al the Roanoke Public Library who helped me find things and let me read newspaper microfi1m to my heart's content."

Scanning Seventy Years at The Roanoke Country Club
Our Early Years—1899

The early history of our Club dates back to the ‘Gay Nineties" when facilities for golf and tennis appear to have been provided in South Roanoke on property owned by The Crystal Spring Land Company.

The Roanoke Times of March 19, 1899 reported that the "movement towards amalgamation of the tennis and golf clubs into an organization after the order of country clubs in other cities is meeting with deserved success"; however, the earliest existing known record of an independent club comes from "The Secretary's Book— The Roanoke Country Club—Organized March, 1899". The year 1969, then, is the Seventieth Anniversary Year of the Club.

The "First Annual Meeting of Members" was held Saturday, April 1, 1899 "pursuant to notice sent subscribers in the prospectus of The Golf and Tennis Club". Elected officers were: President, William A. Glasgow, Jr.; Vice President. R. P. C. Sanderson, Jr.; Secretary, C. H. Freeman; Treasurer. Ro. M. Kent, Jr. Other members of the Board of Governors were: Mrs. O. W. Flickwir, Mrs. R. P. C. Sanderson, J. A. Reid, W. S. Saunders and S. H. Coleman, Jr. The Committee appointed to negotiate the lease of the club house in South Roanoke reported "satisfactory arrangements had been made" with The Crystal Spring Land Company.

Recollecting in 1956, John A. Reid, one of the original founders of the Club. a former Club Officer and the member having the longest continuous membership (over 5O years), said that the Club was formed from two groups, one which played golf on a very temporary course on the property of The Crystal Spring Land Company in South Roanoke and the other a tennis group with two courts just off Franklin Road near the present Christ Episcopal Church. Mr. Reid, Harry Coleman and Charles Freeman were of the tennis group. The golfers included Lucian M. Cocke, William A. Glasgow, G. H. Dugdale, and R. P. C. Sanderson.

Mr. Sanderson is given credit for introducing golf to Roanoke in an article written many years ago by Walter A Carpenter, the Secretary Treasurer of the Club. In part it reads (as reprinted in Roanoke Worlds News 4/23/24 – W. C. Stouffer) "In the year 1899, Mr. R. P. C. Sanderson, an Englishman, introduced to Roanoke a collection of queer and freakish looking ‘shinny’ sticks. He explained to the curious that instead of a general scramble between two opposing sides to swat one ball across a goal line, that each player used his own ball in an endeavor to entice it into some tin cups surreptitiously hidden in a pasture lot. The mysteries of the driver, brassie, mashie, jigger, niblick and putter were unfolded to an amazed and credulous audience.

"The curious liked, listened and –‘got the bug’. And so it came to pass that the Roanoke Golf Club was formed—".

The Club House was a remodeled frame residence in South Roanoke near the present fire station. Two tennis courts were built. The golf course was the one already in use.

Early newspaper "Society" comment is interesting— "The Saturday afternoon receptions were resumed most successfully at the Country Club yesterday afternoon. The Club has supplied a long felt want in Roanoke, people now have somewhere to go, especially on Saturday afternoons, and a place where friends may always be found and a pleasant hour or two spent as the fancy dictates. The Saturday receptions have been a success because the ladies have taken them in charge and always see that things are kept going". (Roanoke Times 9/17/99)

This first Board of Governors held many meetings. Among things decided, $65 expenditure was authorized "to put tennis courts and golf links in complete order". The Club was not to furnish golf or tennis balls. A porch was built. The Club House was painted.

There were two types of memberships, Contributing Members—men, Associate Members--ladies, the latter with no dues. Each Contributing Member had "the right to designate one Associate Member". Membership was originally limited to 115 in each category but shortly thereafter was increased to 150.

The unincorporated Country Club was succeeded at the same location by "Roanoke Country Club", Certificate of Incorporation being recorded November 3,1900. Officers were H. D. Lafferty, President; G. H. Dugdale, Vice President; W. G. Macdowell, Treasurer; Harris Hart, Secretary. Other members of Board of Governors were G. W. Slauson, S. P. Figgat, W. S. Saunders, Thomas Spratt and A. L. Payne, these being the previously elected officers of the unincorporated Country Club. Included in its "Objects" were "golf, tennis, gunning and other games and sports". Members of the old club transferred to the new, the charter being approved by the membership April 4 1901. The Corporate Seal read, "Roanoke Country Club 1901". Newly elected President was T. S. Davant, who served 19O1-1902.

Real estate purchased in 1901, consisted of Club House and lot and six adjoining lots (each 40’ x 150') with Bowling Alley and other outbuildings, valued at $3,500. It was located just N. E. of what is now the South Roanoke Fire Station, say, at N. E. corner of present 23rd St. and Richelieu Ave, S. W. The Golf Links were located on adjoining land leased from The Crystal Spring Land Company, rental $30 per year.

A challenge From the U. Va. Golf Club was accepted January 15, 1901 on the condition that entertainment be furnished the Roanoke Club in Charlottesville, a1so that cups be furnished by the U. Va. Club.

For the Club Golf Championship in 1901 "Sandy P. Figgat defeated Charles Kinsely 7 up" making a record for the course of 43 out and 40 in—a total of 83 for the eighteen holes. Mr. Figgat used the famous McGear clubs, his driver having been in use two years. (Roanoke Times 9/8/01)

Membership in 1901 and 1902 consisted of 113 active and 49 associate members. Mrs. T. W. Goodwin won the ladies 4th of July, 1902 golf cup (see cup in Edmund Goodwin's possession). Later for the ladies, Mrs. Dugdale offered a cup for their club golf match which was won in 19O2 by Miss Woodward. defeating Miss Talioferro 5 and 4. A similar cup for men was given by Mr. Davant, and Mr. Figgat won it over Mr. Lacy 4 and 2 the same year.

The first reported Club Tennis Tournament comes from the Times 8/20/02. "The interest in tennis at the Country Club continues unabated. The finals in doubles were played August 9th, Messrs. Reed and Saunders beat Roderbaugh and Kerns 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Tennis in mixed doubles played last Saturday: Mr. Saunders and Miss Cocke beat Mr. Richards and Miss Marshall, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3. This was a very interesting contest. Finals in singles will be completed sometime this week, the match between Reed and Richards, each having won two sets".

From the newspapers—"Al the Country Club the golfers will entertain themselves as usual, and those who delight in tennis will also be out in full force. Ping-Pong has a good many devotees among the members and an entertaining game is nearly always in progress". (Roanoke Times 7/19/02)

"Euchre party each Monday evening at Country Club. On July 21st there were nine tables on the wide verandas. Each person contributed $ .25 toward prizes and refreshments. Prizes won by Mrs. Joseph W. Coxe and Mr. Watson Gooch". (Roanoke Times 7/28/01)

"The Country Club is very popular during the hot evenings and the cars are loaded with members of this popular club who go out to enjoy the cool breezes that are always found in this locality". (Roanoke Times 7/19/02) Trolley schedule—every fifteen minutes--leaving Campbell and Jefferson for Country Club from 5:45 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

The first Golf pro, a Mr. Croke of Waterbury, Conn., was hired for four months in the summer of1903 at $2.00 per month.

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1904--

At the fall meeting in 1904, grounds near the Fairview Cemetery were considered as a site for a new club. The previous year purchase of the land across 'The Walnut Street Bridge" was debated. In February, 1905, the club paid $4,5OO for the Chas. B. Frantz farm located on Peters Creek on the Macadam Road two miles east of Salem, and 4 miles from Roanoke on the Electric Car Line in Roanoke County. This was sold after the Rebecca Moomaw land (present site) was acquired in 1905, being 53 1/4 acres at $100 per acre. In addition a 30-toot right of way (now Old Country Club Road) through the John A. Taylor property, from the club grounds to the Street Railway near Fairview Station (later, Country Club Station) was purchased February 1, 1908, for $1,325. Included was an acre of Taylor grove land for the site of a club house.

Dues in 1905 were $10 for married couples. That spring and summer, three golf matches were played with the Lexington Golf Club who had the best of it. A "Lawn Fete" with dancing was held in August.

In 19O6 plans for a new club were favorably considered. It was decided to hold the Annual Oyster Roast on Thanksgiving Day; two barrels of oysters being ordered.

The South Roanoke Club House having been destroyed by fire, the sale of the Crystal Spring lots for S2.500 was authorized on September 25, 1907. The remaining bonds on the Crystal Spring property were paid off "out of the funds received from Insurance Moneys".

Now the scene changes—"The Roanoke Country Club, Inc." had its Certificate of Incorporation approved November 1, 1907. First Officers were: T. S. Davant, President; W. C. Stephenson, Vice President; and John A. Reid, Secretary and Treasurer. At the First Annual Meeting of Slockholders on February 24,1908, held in the parlors of Hotel Roanoke, these Directors were elected: T. S. Davant, W. C. Stephenson, Ernest B. Fishburn—3 years; G H. Dugdale, John A. Reid, S. P. Figgat--2 years; John W. Woods, S. B. Cary, O. A. Kerns—1 year. The Club was requested to contribute $5OO towards $2,000 to be used in macadamizing the Roanoke—Salem Road. Mr. Fishburn was made Chairman of the Building Committee whose function was to erect buildings, layout a 9-hole golf course, and build tennis courts.

1908--
Formal opening of the new Club House at the new location off what is now Melrose Ave., N. W. and on what is now Old Country Club Road, N. W. was held June 13, 1908. The Club House, Keeper's House, Summer House and Stable were completed at a cost of $7,426.52 Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Foster had sponsored a "German in May" for the purpose of obtaining funds to furnish the new home of the Roanoke Country Club. (Roanoke Times 5/10/06) Two tennis courts, located between the Club House and the Street Car Line were built. A temporary wood walk, cost $50.29, running from car line to Club House was finished. The legality of Sunday golf was discussed.

An open air performance on the Club's grounds by the Coburn Shakespearean players of "As You Like It" was planned for July 7th. (Roanoke Times 5/24/08) The usual Saturday afternoon receptions were continued. A Pool and Billiard Table with accessories was installed during 1909. Sons and daughters of members were extended Club privileges during June, July and August at $1each per month. A locker house, costing $2,644.85 was built.

Four new tennis courts were built in 1913, located on the site of the present Club House. The original two courts in front of the old Club House were hard surfaced and equipped with a lighting system in 1915, costing about $1,300. Members of the Tennis Committee responsible for this forward step were Dr. W. C. Powell, Chairman, Dr. J. 0. Boyd, and Dr. W. W. S. 8utler, Jr. These gentlemen served from 1915 through 1923.

During the World War I years privileges of the Club were extended to Officers of the Army and Navy. As a further patriotic measure part of the land purchased for the additional nine hole golf course was used by the Boy Scouts to raise vegetables. Club members were encouraged to "devote a certain portion of their time systematically each week to hoe and rake shots in an effort to raise something beside sod off the golf course". Money set aside for "golf prizes" was donated to the Red Cross. It was suggested by J. E. Crawford that 25 lots be laid out bordering the course for sale to club members Work had been progressing on the "new nine" to make a complete 18 hole golf course and this was pretty well completed in 1920. The question of a new Club House was discussed in March, 1920. Mr. T. W. Goodwin was asked to inquire into the sale of present Club House and property down to car station.

Andy Mercer, Club Manager, died December 4, 1921. He was succeeded March 1, 1922 by William Mitchell who served as Club Superintendent, Greens keeper and Golf Professional.

1922—

The Locker House burned September 12, 1922. This revived interest in a new club building with locker rooms in basement, Plans and sketches of the proposed new Club House, as prepared by the architects, Messrs Smithey (later Club President) and Tardy, and Robert M. Allen, were approved at the Stockholders Annual Meeting on January 13, 1923, being presented by Mr. T. W. Goodwin, Chairman of the Building Committee. The building was to be built on the site of the four tennis courts on top of the hill overlooking the entire golf course. A bond issue for $75,000 (150 bonds at $500 each) and a stock sale of $15,000 was decided upon.

The new Club House (J. P. Pettyjohn and Company— builders contract $67,300) was completed and opened in later 1924, with 584 club members. Smoking in the bathroom when a dance was being held was not permitted. Neither was drinking at the Club nor "coming to the Club in an intoxicated condition" allowed.

The old frame Club House was destroyed by fire on May 3, 1925.

The Club Manager, W. M. Rieley. serving since 1928, resigned July 30,1934 and George L. Denison took over temporarily. In 1935 there were 379 members. J. M. Derr was employed as Club Manager but resigned November 1,1936. being supplanted by Mr. and Mrs. L. Shell Jones as joint managers.

1937—
The first swimming pool, cost $20,000, was completed and put into use on August 19,1937. Its installation had been deferred since 1925 due to insufficient water and lack of funds.

Social memberships, i.e., "Dancing, Swimming Pool and Tennis" for married people up to 30 years old, were established in 1938, with annual dues $55. An Assistant Golf Pro George Diflenbaugh, was employed in April. Mitchell, the Managing Pro, due to illness was granted a six months leave of absence. He was replaced by Hugh M. Gordon on October 1,1938 as Golf Pro and Manager of Grounds with "control over Green-Keeper, his employees, the ground surrounding the club house, the tennis courts, the swimming pool, the caddies and caddymaster".

Tennis in 1940 during the Presidency of George D. Morton, received its biggest boost since the days of the lighted courts in the "teens'.. Ten Lanite-surfaced tennis courts were built. George was so interested in getting the courts into use that he did manual labor on them, being mistaken at limes for one of the contractor's workmen. Somehow, the Tennis Chairman "scrounged" a slightly used" Line House" from the N&W Railway and this "shack" with wooden bleachers obtained from old Maher Field (Victory Stadium being erected) constituted the beginning of a tennis setup for the first Tennis Pro, George Lyman of Oberlin, Ohio. Lyman, who got around the country on his bicycle, was first introduced to club members thru refereeing an exhibition match on the Club courts on May 17, 1941, between Fred Perry, former World's Amateur Tennis Champion and world's professional tennis champion ('38 and '41) and Johnny Faunce of Hollywood, California, another outstanding Pro.

At the Club’s invitation, the 1941 City-County Tennis Tournament, held in August, was moved to the Country Club Courts. Due to gasoline rationing the convenience of the bus line (shades of 1907) was an obvious reason. Then, too, the Roanoke Times of July 15 reported as a major factor for the move, that tennis balls which have become scarce on account of the rubber shortage will not lake punishment on clay courts as on asphalt.

Over 100 Club members served in the Armed Forces in World War II and remembered gratefully the Board's consideration in waiving their dues while they were in the Service.

1944—

In 1944 of the 651 members, over 160 were in the "Dancing—Swimming—Tennis.' category. The Club refinanced its bonded debt, reducing its interest from 5% to 3%. In May,'45 appreciation was expressed to J. M. Richardson and John A. Farr for assistance in setting up the new flag pole, "honoring the Club Members serving their Country in World War II".

Mr. Stewart H. Frazer was appointed Club Manager in 1946. Barton W. Morris, Jr. was appointed Business Manager in 1947 of the Country Club News. The News was originally instituted in 1938.

Bill Thomas was the Tennis Pro during 1948 and was succeeded in 1950 by Sam Nutty, who served until replaced by Jim McDougall in 1952. At a special Stockholders meeting,October15, 1948.expenditureof $80,000 mostly for improvements to Club House, including installation of a modern kitchen, was approved, increasing total indebtedness to $110,0O0.

In 1949 J. H. Kelley was employed as Club Manager. An automatic sprinkler system to provide protection against fire was installed in the Club House. The Golf Pro, Hugh M, Gordon, resigned in 1951 to take over at the Tedesco Country Club in Swampscott, Mass. He was replaced by Luke Barnes, former Assistant Pro of Charlotte, N. C. Country Club. Connie Sellers won the Slate Amateur Golf Championship that year at Hot Springs.

It was reported at the annual meeting January 29, 19S4 that a Committee had been studying, among other things, the possible relocation of the Club at a more convenient site. E. J. Kefler functioned as Superintendent of Grounds. For many years the installation of a sprinkler system on the golf course had been a subject of conversation. Work was started, the contract being $31,470.42. Golf carts had been another golfers topic of discussion. The Board ruled that no golf carts would be allowed on the course after January 1, 1955. At their very next meeting this action was rescinded, a limited number of electric carts being permitted. George Fulton, winner of many club golf titles, won the '54 State Amateur Golf Championship at Hot Springs.

1955--

In 1955, George "Bud" J. Igel of Cincinnati, Ohio, became the new Tennis Pro.

The first Tennis Banquet of which there is record, was held on September 7, 1956. Three hundred and ninety trees were planted on the golf course. The planting of ninety more was planned for 1957.

Manager J. H. Kelley, Jr., resigned effective February 15,1958. The Board expressed appreciation of his services and wished him every success in his new field at the Natural Bridge Hotel. Bridge Parties and Luncheons for Ladies were suggested by Torn Gorsuch, the new Manager. The popular family Dinners were changed by request from Wednesday to Thursday nights.

"The Roanoke Country Club is all dressed up and is really some place to go!", announced Mary Armistead, Editor and Manager of The Country Club News, who succeeded Barton W. Morris, Jr. January 1,1958. The occasion—Open House on June 14th to show members the complete interior redecoration whereby "Club regains former splendor". "Workers mending the attic roof found more than 100 pigeons and squabs roosting under the eaves over the office". There were 450 active members, 300 social members, entitling 2100 people to use the Club, not counting pigeons. In connection with the Independence Day Festivities, a fireworks display and box supper was held on the lawn.

1961—

Del Moser became the new Tennis Pro in 1961 and served thru 1968, being selected by the Committee of B. B. Carter, Bob Rogers and J. M. Turner. Club Manager, Tom W. Gorsuch, resigned effective September 9, 1961 He was replaced by William R. McGraw on November 15, 1961, who had served on a temporary basis for several months.

Compliments were received by Messrs Kummer and Andrews "from various swim clubs on the handling of the Junior Olympic Swimming Meet". Rest Room facilities at the Tennis Courts were installed The Board of Directors was increased from nine to twelve members
and the immediate past president became an ex-officio member of the Board. A Board member "suggested that something be done to speed up play (on the golf course), possibly that we have a marshal. Another complained of the "damage being done by the (golf) carts on various holes and greens". The By-Laws were amended, all this in 1962.

The State Open Golf Tournament was played al the Country Club August 22~23, 1963.

A Planning Committee was appointed in 1963 whose duty was to obtain figures and make recommendations on enlarging and modernizing the present Club layout in all phases—House, Golf, Tennis and Swimming—as compared to the removal and development of a new site. It will be recalled that in 1954, under the administration of C. R. Fichtenger, a committee had been studying the possible relocation of the Club to a more convenient location. Then in 1958 a "Land Hunt" Committee, consisting of R. W. Wood, J. L. Trinkle, and B. 8. Carter, was appointed. Following their recommendation, and upon the Stockholders approval in 1960, the Dickenson Farm, some 330 acres, located between Stewartsville and Smith Mountain Lake, was purchased for $60,000 as a future club house and golf course site. Later, R. S. Crabtree reported that 15O acres on the lake front and near the Dickenson Farm could be acquired for $25,000. To develop the Stewartsville property the cost was estimated at $2,000,000, a figure four times that figured for the enlargement and modernizing of the present property. Accordingly the Stewartsville property was sold on December 30,1964, for $60,000.

The Planning Committee gave a new swimming pool top priority among the desired improvements. The pool was built at a cost of $78,746 and opened in May of 1964.

It was recommended that "we should expand the golf facilities or reduce the number of members". Land being available some 57 acres in 3 plots was purchased for $188,000. To complete nine new holes with watering system cost $111,300 and the new 27-hole golf course was ready for play in the spring of 1966.

Completely enclosed in 1965 with a 6-foot chain link fence, the entire club property was secured from vandals. One hundred white pines were planted along the fence of the 8th fairway to screen the golf course. The ballroom was refurnished. Private dining and party rooms were provided upstairs where the living quarters had been located. The expansion of the club house was discussed. George B. Cartledge headed the Planning Committee. In February, 1965 the Country Club News was changed to a monthly newsletter, Mrs. Howard Hammersley having taken over as Editor the previous December.

In the Virginia Tennis Association's ranking for 1966, Jack Burrows, Singles, and Burrows—David Turner, Doubles, for boys 18 and under, were "Number One". Five hundred long leaf pines were planted in the roughs of the new nine holes, which were opened in time for the Member-Guest Golf Tournament held in May, 1966 and won by Clay Bear and Bob A11en. Golf cart pads or tracks were constructed around the greens and lees for all 27 holes. There were now three starting tees, number 1, old number 10 and old number 16. From all over the state some one hundred fifty women participated in the Virginia Slate Women's Team Matches held October 17-20, 1966. Duplicate bridge was started on a regular basis, the second and fourth Wednesday of each month. Authorization was given the architects to proceed with preliminary plans for expansion of the Club House.

1966—

"LAST PHASE OF EXPANSION IS ANNOUNCED", screamed the headline of December, '66 Country Club News. It commented "Your present Board of Governors has completed plans for the final phase of our expansion program which started five years ago". Plans for the expanded and modernized Club House, with additions, prepared by the associated architects, Thompson and Payne with Guerrant and Mounfield, were displayed in the club house by President Mountcastle. Details were explained at the annual meeting of Stockholders on January 24, 1967. J. M. Turner and Company, Inc., 1he contractors submitting the low bid of $375,400 were awarded the contract and "very kindly worked around us until almost the end of May so that we could have our annual Member-Guest (Golf) Tournament as usual". Then the Club House was closed. Manager W. R. McGraw resigned to take over the Pickwick Club. At the May Board Meeting H. S. Fitzpatrick, Chairman of House Committee, reported "everything in the club is in a big mess". Later in the summer, land between the Club property and Melrose Avenue (300 x 800) was purchased for $105,000. The swimming team continued "to achieve outstanding success as the strongest team in the Roanoke Valley".

L. Graham Haynie, the 1966-68 Tennis Chairman, obtained the Board's permission "to begin the development of the construction of two enclosed courts".

1968 saw Bob Mountcastle re-elected President. He announced that the Committee composed of R. A. Robertson, R. A. Clement, Horace Fitzpatrick and he had obtained the services of a native Roanoker, Calvin W. Sizer, as General Manager effective February 1st. Sizer came from the Guyan Golf and Country Club, Huntington, West Virginia, with 21 years' experience in country club work, being a certified club manager. His wile, Charlotte, would work with him. As a departure from previous years, the new Manager was to be responsible to the Board for all club operations.

Golf carts became a Club operation when purchased from the Golf Pro April 1st for $35,256.93.

"More than 1,000 members of Roanoke Country Club attended the Gala Opening of the new Club House on Thursday evening, May 2". The entire Ballroom was decorated for the occasion and refreshments were served. Members visited the dining areas, the new locker rooms, the golf shop and the offices.

Due to the change in the stale law the sale of liquor by the drink was considered. The Board adopted a "wait and see" policy Wayne Holley, his former teaching assistant, took over at the end of the year for Luke Barnes Club Golf-Professional, who resigned after serving for 17 years. Tennis Pro Del Moser resigned at the end of the'68 season.

The completion of the new indoor tennis facility was proudly announced by Graharn Haynie, Tennis Chairman, with a reception held on December 22,1968. The building contained two Har-Tru tennis courts, pro shop, lounge and rest rooms. Showers and lockers were planned. It was built by the Frye Building Co., cost $110,560. At the indoor court dedication, Ian Crookenden, the new Tennis Pro, was introduced. Crookenden, a New Zealand Davis Cup player lately of Baltimore and two-time national doubles champion at UCLA, "will take over" on February 1,1969.

Now the Roanoke Country Club is in its seventieth year, 1969 back to 1899, and all of the long range planning objectives have been accomplished. New members are entertained from time to time at the club to acquaint them with the facilities, and with the club staff and board members. Harry R. Yates, Secretary Treasurer since 1942, retired June 30th, after having served the club for over a quarter of a century.

Over the years the membership has increased from one hundred or so to many hundreds, the dues from $10 to several hundred dollars, the land holdings from a few lots to many acres, property values from $3,500 to over 2 million dollars.

The fifty dollar wood walk running from the club house to the street railway station is gone. The street railway is gone. Many changes have occurred, but the newspaper item of almost three quarters of a century ago still seems to apply. "The Club has supplied a long felt want in Roanoke, people now have somewhere to go. . . a place where friends may always be found and a pleasant hour or so spent as the fancy dictates".