The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-10-01
SOUTH BENDS NEW CLUB
COMMERCIAL ATHLETIC HOUSE TO
BE THROWN OpEN TONIGHT.
An Organization Whose Membcrship
Contains the Leading Men os the
City and Some of the Women.
pecial to the Indianapolis Journal.

Special to the indianapolis Journal.
SOUTH BEND. Ind, Sept. 3O.-Tne mag
nifcent home of the South Bend CONNER
cial Athletic Club will be thrown open to-
morrow evening. The opening will be
marked by special exercises. This club is
composed to great extent of the most
prominent citizens OF South Bend. with
Mr.. a. L. Brick a prominent young att
torney, president He is believer in
the future prosperity of the city and Ii is
due largely 10 his untiring energy that
South Bend has such organization as
the Commercial Athletic Club and such
building that club now calls its home.
The membership is not confined entirely to
South Bend. there already being members
from Indianapolis and other points. One Of
the most pleasing features of the club is
the fact that ladies may belong. although
not entitled 20 an active part in it's man.
agement
The clubhouse is situated near Main
street on Colfax avenue, the street named
in honor of the late Vice President Schuyler
Colfax and one of the most beautiful resi-
dence streets in South Bend. The house is
of red brick with gray stone trimmings,
two and half stories high and surmounted
by gabled roofs, presenting an attractive
sky line The main entrance is up stone
and iron steps and through an imposing
archway Of gray sandstone which leads to
the open vestibule This vestibule is orna-
mented Wits deep red uiing, and the walls
OF a dark chocolate tint with a lighter
brown the ceiling. From the vestibule
the visitor enters the main nah through Il
large entrance way OF pate glass and oak
The entrance hall runs through the build
ing TO the gymnasium. Ihe walls are
tinted in deep terra Gotta, with deIcate
lemon shade on the ceiing. To the LETT is
the lounging room and ONCE tinted IN the
points in the building. To the. right
of the main han is the library
finished in delicate tints of green. The con-
spicuous feature of this room is a largo
brick and oak fireplace which occupies a.
space on the west side directly opposite
the big entrance from the great hall. Back
OF this room is a smaller converse ton room
finished in terra Gotta OF an extremely deli-
cate tint. The remainder of the space or
this floor is occupied by the gymnasium:
THIS has a hardwood hoOr, is WainScoted
with Georgia pine and the walls arc fin
ished in natural brick, with natural wood
finished ceiling.
The gymnasium is fitted in a very com
plete manner with all the necessary APP
piances OF such a place. From the main
nall broad and beautitul staircase leads
to the second 1ioor, opening into the bill
lard room. The walls are finished I'm pal
per tapestry combined with delicate tint
on the upper walls and the ceiling The
room is furnished with two BLIZZARD and
pool table. leaving place fCr one or two
more tables when required. In the rear OF
this room is small conversation room fn-
ished in coionili style the paper being of
billiard room large doors open into the di-
rectors' room finished in red. and two card
rooms one in blue and the other in yellow.
In the basement are the bath rooms.
lockers, dressing rooms, bicycle room.
swimming tank shower baths, bowling al
ley. engine room and coal room. The
swimming tank is one of the finest in the
West. Each of the rooms In this part OF
the building is furnished appropriately and
every convenience is provided. A spiral
stairway leads from. the tank room up
through the gymnasium and to the run
cling track. which is located a proper dis
lance above the gymnasium floor. The
floors in nearly all the rooms are of Georgia
pine and the woodwork is of oak The
furniture Is of antique oak. with leather
uphoistering The building is a complete
but modest clubhouse and has been greatly
admired by those visitors who have had
an opportunity of inspecting IL before the
opening. The membership of the club is
now between 300 and 400 While the club
was started as an athletic association
strictly. ii soon became evident that there
was need in South Bend for an association
having one of its features the CONNER
cial advancement of the city and this
feature soon became part of the organi-
cation. 1t promises to develope as the club
takes age. and II w;,l be great adj
vantage TO the future prosperity of South
Bend