The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-04-25
SOC|ETY'S COUNTRY CLUB
One Is Proposed and Decision Will
be Reached at Once.
LATEST FASHIONABLE IDEA
iugton Avenue II Cousidercd-Big.
Roomy. Structure May bs
Erected Immediately.

A movement Ia afoot among the
wealthy and best known social ele-
ment In this city to establish at once u
country club.
The idea is so favored that negotia-
tions are now in progress with the
Pennsylvania Coal company for an
option on a large plot of the cOmpany's
property included in its unimprOved
land several hundred yards beyond
the present terminus of North Wash
ingtOn avenue.
1t Is not improbable that during the
summer plain but substantial club
house will be erected. tennis courts laid
and other things done to make a COM
Portable and accessible outdoor head
quarters for the pleasure-loving mem
bers of the hills exclusive set.
The land mentioned was inspected
Thursday afternoon by j. Ben Dim
mick. Major J. w. Oakford, H. p. Simp-
Storrs, P. B. Belin and James Blair, jr.
u party who represented the most
prominent of the city young married
and unmarried society folk. The site
most favorably considered was on the
eastern and upper side Of a line over
which Washington avenue will eventu-
ally extend. 1t commands an unob-
structed view OF the Lackawanna val
ley north and south and Is high, airy
and dry.
NEGOTIATING FOR LAND.
Overtures are now being made with
the Pennsylvania Coal company by a
committee informally selected from
among the gentlemen mentioned In the
foregoing paragraph for leasing or
selling a plot OF several acres. When
figures are secured invitations will be
issued for a general meeting and II
there Is a sentiment favOring the pro-
ject and its cost an organization Will
be perfected and the scheme carried
out.
The idea Is not a new one. 1t has
been talked Of for three years and as
recently as last year the Elmhurst
boulevard territory was secured for a
were numerous. but all were thought
to be too inaccessible and the project
was dropped for the season.
In considering the North Washing
ton avenue territory the aim was to
secure a place which could be easily
reached by bicyclists, which could be
visited by older persons for an hour or
so In the heat Of the afternoon or In
the evening. but which would combine
accessibility with the beauty Of natural
surroundings. The section chosen
uOus to the city. that fills all these de-
mands. If the site and scheme meet
societys approval. the officers who will
be selected In the organization that is
to follow will Immediately plan for pos
sessing fully equipped club property
before the autumn months.
1t Is proposed to build q long, low,
two-story structure of plain but sub
stantial finish so that 1t may be heated
and made appropriate for winter dane
ing, socials and holiday and toboggan
parties, etc. The lower floor Is to con-
tain one big banquet hall with at least
two open fireplaces, mems smoking
and grill room and lOunging parlOrs
Where the billiard room and bowling
alleys will be situated has not yet been
determined, but it Is the intention to
have all these prerequisites and all else
necessary to a fashionable country
club.
If the club idea is approved the
Scranton Lawn club will be no more
but it's members, who are included in
the country clubs proposed charter list
will become the country clubs tennis
element and will abandon their idea
of reconstructipg their Platt home.
stead courts. The autumn tourney In
this case would be held on the new
property.
BICYCYLE CLUB ORGANIZED.
The bicycle fad, although in this case
1t seems to be entitled to some more
substantial name than fad" has
among the hills society folk assumed
extensive proportions and this fact Is
one which initiated much in inducing
the gentlemen mentioned to take the
steps they have In establishing an opeI
air club. A very large number Of
young ladies and young men, and not 9
few Of the younger married set, have
taken to the wheel. The number be.
came so great that a bicycle club was
proposed and the idea was carried Out
Thursday evening at the home ol
James Archibald on Jefferson avenue.
About sixty persons were present. A
H. Storrs was elected president, Miss
Belin treasurer, Major Oakford secre
tary. James Blair, jr.. captain and Mis-.
Archibald lieutenant. The club pro-
poses to take regularly scheduled. a.
impromptu, runs during the season
This bicycle set and tennis people will
be the controlling element Of the pro-
posed country club. While the latter
seem to be In the minority nearly al
| of them have taken to the wheel, which
| indicates that the new club idea, thu
| bicycle craze and the tennis party will
| all combine toward the country clut
scheme. 1t certainly seems bound t
be brought to an affirmative issue.
| -