Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-02
THAMES, WINTHROP AND HARRoR
 LEAD NEW LONDON CLUBS.
Large Number of FraternaI and Other
 Organizations Also.

New London has its full quota of social organizations, as the city is represented in nearly every fraternal organization and each has it's social side and in addition there are three distinct social clubs of large member ship. each having @ Well-equipped club house. Besides there are other clubs of an athletic as well as a. so- cial chara acter.
 The Thames club is the largest and the oldest, and presumably had it's early start way back in the early sixties from a coterie of gentlemen who once congregated in the crockery store of Julius w. Eggleston in the old City hotel building in State street, the site of the present Cron1n build ing. From here they wended their way to the counting room of the Daily Star office to spend a social evening that lasted until the early morning. Proof of their presence was found by the printers devil when he swept the office in the early morning in shape of cigar butts, burned matches and an occasional round thin piece of ivory on the foor,and a stray card, near round table covered with green baiZe. Soon afterwards club rooms were se- cured and the name Thames Club adopted. Several years ago the Thames club house was totally res trOyed by fire and without delay the present magnificent structure was erected of buff brick, richly furnish ed and the surroundings greatly inn proved, making it one of the most complete club houses in the state. It's membership includes the leading citi- zens of New London and among the nonresident members are some of the most noted men in the United States, including officers if rank in the army and navy.
 The next club of importance is the John Winthrop club which now owns it's own brick club house at the cor ner of Brainerd and Amity street. This club has been in existence for a number of years and had it's quarters for a long time in 8 small one story wooden structure in Amity street, paving the way for a permanent home. The membership of this club is made up in the main of the residents of the fashionable Northwest, many of whom are also members of the Thames club. This club is not confined alone to so cial affairs but indulges occasionally in the literary line, and speakers of prominence give talks on subjects of general interest but far removed from club life, when that of the Thames club is considered, as the standard. The other principal social club is known as the Harbor club, with quarters in Willetts avenue, most of the members being residents of the Fifth ward but is without tinge of
 
 structure that was erected as d dwell ing house and Is furnished and equip ped for the pleasure of the members, but the house is not yet owned by the Harbor club. Between the members of these three clubs the best of harmony prevails and they often interchange visits and courtesies.
 The New London lodge of Elks is also a social club within itself and has a spacious home in Washington I, the members who so desire assemble at will and enjoy all the pleasures of club life.
 The Nameaug Boat club is another organization of social tendency that owns it's home in East New London on the banks of the Thames river, with large water frontage to accommodate the boats of the club and the individu- al members. There are also several social and athletic olubs, notably the Greenwood, Cannonball and East Ends, to say nothing of the clubs con- nected with the fraternal organiZa- tions, all of which go to show there is no lack of club life in the Seaside City.
 Although the Young Mems Christian association is limited in room, still it serves as club house for many of its members and the equipment is as com plete as could be expected under the circumstances. The association has now quite a large building fund and in the near future work will probably be commenced on the new Y. NJ. c. 1. building which when completed, will be one of the best club houses of that nature in the state. The Boys club which is conducted under the auspices of the association has quarters in the old armory building in Washington street, later known as Allyn hall. and now owned by the First Baptist church society
 To refer to the clubs of New London where socability is strong feature, would necessitate the special mention of every fI-aternal organization Of the city. Therefore when club life is be- ing considered il is essential that New London should be in the reckoning to make the subject complete.