A Brief History of the Village Club

HISTORY

The Village Club is one of the oldest and most successful institutions in Western Springs. Having weathered adversities of fire and lean times, the Club remains as the only village club in the western suburbs.

"On New Year's night about four hunded of our people, including their guests from Chicago, Evanston, La Grange, and Hinsdale, gathered for the formal opening of a dream", read a news account of the formal grand opening gala. The "dream" was born in 1909, when Mary and Hib Cattell decided to create a village club like many of those springing up along the Burlington Railroad route from Cicero to Aurora. Construction of the building at Chestnut and Lawn was completed in 1910, at a cost of $16,000.

Reminders of the club's past permeate the building. Well maintained, the building has beautiful wood floors, doors, and trim. Pictures of members attending past parties line the walls, as do newsletters and bulletins from days gone by.

Downstairs, four bowling alleys stand testament to its members' dedication. Originally a partition set off the two far left bowling lanes from ping-pong and pool tables. When the popularity of bowling grew in the 1940s, members raised $6,000 to put in two more alleys. To save money, the members even installed them, even if they lacked expertise.

With the onset of the Great Depression, there were times that the Club didn't have enough money to open its doors. Through the strength of its membership, folks pulled out their checkbooks and kept it going. The Club endured through its hard times with good times and in good spirits.

During World War II, the club reached its ceiling in membership and had to create its first waiting list. With rationing of gasoline, members eagerly walked to the Village Club to have their fun.

As a social gathering place, the Club has always been successful. The Club has always held dinner dances and parties, from black tie galas and costume parties to pig roasts and pot luck.

For many years, the Village Club was home to the Western Springs Little Theater, which put on six shows per year. Before the Theatre of Western Springs built their facilities in 1960, all productions were cast and presented at the Village Club.

Musical and dramatic shows peformed by members were also popular. Some of the more popular and remembered shows were the annual minstrel show which included vaudevillian skits. The last minstrel show was performed in 1965. Reorganized as Special Events Shows, these shows continued well into the 1980s.

Recreation activities have always been popular at the Club. In addition to bowling and golf leagues which still thrive today, members enjoyed an almost nightly regimen of activities including badminton, softball, bridge, ping pong, and billiards.