In March of 1899 the Winnebago Gun
Club, at its' regular meeting decided to build a club house.
Architect William Waters was there and presented plans for a
utilitarian building to accommodated the club's needs. The Winnebago
Gun Club was organized by shooter to improve and promote the sport of
marksmanship. In the summer of 1899 the club was to have the second
annual shooting tournament to be held at the Heisinger Farm across
from Riverside cemetery and a suitable building was needed. The plan
called for a structure one story high, 16' x 32' with the front
portion devoted to a large open veranda. The enclosed portion of the
building was to have lockers and gun racks, all for the expenditure of
$200. The contract for construction went to Fluor Brothers and the
club house was to be finished in two weeks.
By early July of that summer everything
was ready for the big tournament. The new club house was finished and
painted and a chimney was added for the preparation of lunch. By all
accounts the building was perfect for club's needs. The tournament
that summer was also a great success, the club made enough money to
erase all its' debts. It's unclear what became of the Winnebago Gun
Club and it's diminutive club house. The farmland was developed as a
neighborhood and the Winnebago Gun Club ceased to be.
It was not in my book but I remember reading it was destroyed in a tornado.
ReplyDeleteGee Dave, I'll have to check on my source. Nice to know it was destroyed by a tornado.
ReplyDeleteDavid, I check my edition of your book and it's right there on p.134, four articles.
ReplyDelete