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Milwaukee Club History

The Milwaukee Club is an exceptional rarity. For over a century this venerable clubhouse has resisted the all-too-common hazards of replacement and remodeling. It is one of only a handful of buildings that can claim to have served its original owner, in the same capacity, for 140 years. All of this has taken place on a choice piece of downtown real estate that has been the envy of developers for generations.

Located on the Northeast corner of north Jefferson Street and East Wisconsin Avenue, The Milwaukee Club has been called “an institution.” But perhaps the most appropriate one-line description was that used in the old Casper’s City Guidebooks which called it... “the oldest and most exclusive club in the city.”

The history of this pioneering adventure began in the winter of 1881, when a number of local men started discussing the possibility of a social club. Positive action began in January of 1882, when a dozen men held an organizational meeting in the newspaper office of Andrew J. Aikens at the Evening Wisconsin Building. It was in that assembly that the name The Milwaukee club was adopted.

On February 17, 1882, the Executive Committee met to sign the articles of association and on March 6, 1882, the new members gathered in the lady’s parlor of the ill-fated Newhall House Hotel for the first meeting. In less than a year that hotel was to burn to the ground in a tragic fire. By then, 115 of the city’s “leading citizens” had subscribed. They elected Alexander Mitchell as their first president. Among the early membership, which amounted to a “who’s-who” in local banking, commercial, and industrial circles, were such staunch family names as Fitch, Layton, Plankinton, Allis, Uihlein, Bradley, James, Chapman, Fitzgerald, Van Dyke, Ilsley, Pfister, Wells, and Pabst.

Since The Milwaukee Club opened the era of social clubdom here in 1882, many similar organizations have come and gone. But there is something reassuring about the presence of the original group, in their original clubhouse, on the same corner, with the same exclusivity and high standards after over 140 years.

By the end of the month, 112 prospective members put their signatures on a historic handwritten document which is still preserved in the Club office. Dated January 28, 1882, the two pages are headed... “The Milwaukee Club” organized according to the laws of the State of Wisconsin - No personal liability - Membership $100.00, Annual Dues $50.00.

MILWAUKEE CLUB HISTORY