The Chicago whip. (Chicago, Ill.) 1919-19??, 1920-01-03
COUNTRY CLUB FOR
C0LORED PEOPLE

DetrOit, MlcnlSaI, Dec. u. i'i'.
What is believed to be the only
country club for colored people in
America was opened in Connecticut a
short time ago ON property including a
house and twenty-five acres of rolling
wooded ground, located conveniently
on one of the state trunk-line high
ways, a distance Of only Is miles from
Waterbury and % miles from New
Haven. The interurban trolley passes
its doors and within less than stone s
throw is small railroad station on
the Hartford and Waterbury line of
the N. Y. n. III. & II. X. r. Already
n five hole golf course has been laid
out, and is proving popular with the
members, while back of the club are
finely built tennis courts. The club
has proved even more popular than
WAS expected, and has every prospect
OF .pcrmancnce.
John L. Halle, of Waterbury, il the
founder of tho Cheshire Country Club,
as it is called. Mr.. Halle is chef in
the employ of Mrs. Harriet B. Thorpe
leading caterer of Waterbury. He has
been with Mrs. Thorpe about seven
years. Before that, he was head
waiter at the old Scoville House in
Waterbury, until it burned. He often
passed the place which has been since
acquired for the country club, and it
appealed to him so much that he told
his wife he would like to buy it for
residence. Then came the thought of
purchasing ii for club of restricted
membership among colored people,
Mr.. Halle conferred with friends and
was encouraged to proceed with the
plan.
The property is particularly suited
for club purposes. The location is a
choice one and the building and
grounds are picturesque. A terrace
rises abruptly from the road, and a
lawn stretches back to the house, in
the midst of watermelon patch more
than three hundred feet away. At the
rear of the building magnificent
view is obtained. At the left, far in
the distance, looms the Sleeping
Giant, a high peak in the Wallingford
range of mountains, and at the right
the Seven Sisters stand out impos-
ingly. At some distance from the
house is a convenient grove, which is
utilized for clambakes and picnics.
The oldfnshioned house is a roomy
two-story structure providing ample
accommodations for the present needs
Of the club. A wide veranda runs
along the entire lenght of the house
in front and at one side. Inside, the
largest space is devoted to reception
room, which can be used for dancing
or large card parties. Smaller rooms
are used for billiar1s and lounging.
A steward and his wife live on the
premises, and plain repasts may be OBJ
tanned mt all times, and upon short
notice special orders will be served.
The club has no officers, but a
board of governors directs its affairs
and passes upon all applications for
membership. Undesirables are prompt.
ly white-balled. There are now more
than two hundred members whose
residences range from Massachusetts
to Tennessee.
The attitude of the poultry far
mers and colored churches in the Wei
nifty toward the new enterprise is Of
interest. The club has proved very
popular with the Afro American smart
set, and news of its establishment
travelled far and wide. In the sum
mer and early fall the grounds are
crowded Sunday afternoons, and many
automobiles are parked on the terrace.
Various organizations have held out
ings on the club grounds. The Sonora
Campfire girls of New Haven campcd
there for week in July. The st Elmo
club of New Haven and the Nembe-
rolie club of the same city have held
social affairs at the club house. The
Grand Lodge of the Household Of
Ruth held convention there and local
festivities are of regular recurrence.
Financially the venture is success,
and the men back of the undertaking
feel encouraged to so ahead and pro-
vide more lavishly for the comfort
and convenience Of the guests. As soon
as practicable, the club house will be
enlarged and facilities for outdoor
sports perfected.
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1j. r.fl Gill;: