Page 38 - 2015 Lake St. Clair Guide Magazine
P. 38
The Old Club’s Clubhouse today
Continued from Page 36 ... Interesting and right on pace with the The original
People on the Water.... current dinner menu. (The clubhouse burned
a bridge was built connecting Harsen’s Is- Ritz Hotel has 24 recently
land with the property.
In 1902 the original Articles of renovated rooms available, down in 1926
Association expired and the club was re-
organized as “The Old Club.” No one is but only for the members
sure why the name was changed, however,
it certainly befits the place now. Following and their guests.) More
the reorganization, the club began its trans-
formation from a hunting and fishing club amenities were added
to what it is today.
Tennis courts were construct- during the 1920’s… a par
ed and the “Ritz” hotel was built in 1917
offering the finest accommodations. At 3 golf course, an Olympic
that time, the Ritz was decorated in the
style of the Grand Hotel of Mackinac Is- size swimming pool, and
land. During the depression in 1932, the
weekly rate at the Ritz for two including the present clubhouse was
meals was $11.00…about $200 in today’s
dollars. Breakfast was 75¢, lunch $1, and built.
dinner $1.75…about $30 in today’s dollars,
The club has cel-
“The Ritz Hotel in 1972” - This photo
showed off the recently renovated ebrated its 100th and 125th year. The 100
rooms in the Old Club’s 100th
Anniversary Celebration Book year edition spoke of the many influential
The Ritz Hotel in 2015 past club members with a fleet of yachts
ranging from 150-250’ prior to the De-
pression. Club members from our Detroit
automobile industry included families
such as Ford, Dodge, Fisher, Briggs, Hol-
ley, Sloan, Kettering, and Henry B. Joy
of Packard Motor Cars. Resident club
members were said to frequently enter-
tain movie stars such as Pat O’Brien, Fred
MacMurray, John Wayne, Ward Bond, and
MGM’s L. B. Mayer (you should
start watching Turner Classic
Movies if you don’t know who
these people are!). Now, coming
back to the present day….
Dale, the only year
round resident of the Old Club, is
celebrating his 30th year working,
or some might say living a spe-
cial lifestyle in 2015. He began
as the head of maintenance and
for the last 20 years has been the
club’s general manager. When
Dale was promoted to general
manager, he and his wife Cindy
moved to the Club and moved
into a very nice permanent year
round residence on the proper-
ty. They brought with them two
young daughters, and a third was
born here.
Since the Club is open 7
days a week from May – October,
Continued on page 44....
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