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Proposed Bike Path Affects Club Property

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New Members Party is Sat. - November 8th - See Tommy Brucker or a  Newbie for tickets -details below - Pack Party on Nov. 16th - see info ON BOTH below

Over 50 years ago, members with a common bond in boating built the building. The lasting relationships and friendships that were built the in the past are THE Real Foundation of the Fifth Street Yacht Club !

Over 50 years ago, a group of boaters, who met regularly at the Lake Front by 5th Street decided it was time to form a Club and have a real organization. When the 5th Street Yacht Club was formed, one of the biggest difficulties of launching the Boats on the beach at the end of Fifth Street was around bonfires in the evenings. The Club had its beginning. At that time Fifth Street was in the processes of being paved as it was like a second Burma Road.

When a boat was brought to the Lakefront it was necessary to carry boat or trailer over the sand to the waters edge for launching. Something needed to be done, so the Club went to work on the first major project. Plans were drawn up for two wooden ramps and presented to City Officials who accepted them. The City installed these ramps. Next the driveway had to be improved. This was done by searching the beach for old bricks that had been dumped along the way. This made the drive to the Lake shore a much smoother approach.

For a few years meetings were held at the Moose when the Club had to leave that space, it was offered and accepted facilities at Dania Hall. It was at this time the Ladies Auxiliary was formed.

After a while it was decided that the organization needed a Club House of their own. There was a vacant piece of land up the river by Marquette St. Bridge. A perfect spot for a Club House, but a lot of work had to be done. This was a property owned by J.I. Case Company. After many negotiations and a lot of paperwork and getting to the right person at the right time, the property was purchased.

 Now the land had to be cleaned up. The Club finally had a place to call home. But more was needed, from Sept. 1954 to January 1960 the Membership increased from 79 to the final count of 150 Members. At that time there were 150 Members and a Fleet of 125 Boats which was quite an accomplishment.

Now the big decision, we need a place with a roof. After much discussion and a lot of checking into how this could be done it was voted upon to build a Club House. Quite an undertaking after all, these Members were going to do the work themselves. Every special person had a special talent. And everyone volunteered to get this project done.

B.C. Christensen drew up the plans for the building. Each block was laid with care, measurements were checked and rechecked. Everyone’s brains were picked for the knowledge. They had to make this project a success. Those who couldn’t work physically donated money and/or moral support. The wives of the workers supplied coffee, cookies other goodies. Many nights the men came down right from work worked till often dark under lights strung on makeshift posts.

In 1965 B.C. Christensen shot a 1,500 Lb. Moose in Canada, for many work parties that whole year, moose meat was the main item for lunch, roasted, baked or B.B.Q. Always a good lunch. The women did more than serve food. They helped mix, and pour cement, paint walls and they laid the tile floor. The ladies also raised money for the kitchen equipment.

To make the Club gain revenue. A Bar was necessary. This was a BIG project and organized by Bob Christensen, Lee Nelson, Bob Eihlers and John Schmidt. After all, a place to eat needs a place to offer refreshments. Our bar as it stands now has served it usefulness for over 39 years.

Everyone who belonged to the Club worked together. In June 1966, the first shovel full of dirt for the Club House was turned, and about a year later, July 1967 the Club opened its doors. About 2,000 man-hours of labor went into this project. This project was done at a total cost of $22,000 and this included the furnishings. After the Club House was finished 20 slips were built and following that a 60-yard square parking lot was black topped.

Some of the first parties held at the Club were held before the cement floor for the back hall was poured. Everyone was happy to have a real Club House of their own and my-oh-my how the place has grown. Time Line of Club History

Following are some of the accomplishments of the last 50 Years.

1965 - Dean Howe - Commodore Motion made and passed to build New Club House - Dues increased in October from $9.95 to $25.00 

1966 - Don Akin - Commodore also Jim McNeil. Building plans presented April to Members. Building began in June. Since Don Akin worked nights, Jim McNeil became acting Commodore. Members were asked what their construction skills were. Membership dropped below 80 Members, because 55 Members dropped their Membership. They formed Harbor Lite Yacht Club. The roof was completed by November of 1966 windows and doorframes installed and concrete poured in 1/2 of main Hall.

1967 - Robert Jandl - Commodore - Club House opened July 1, 1967. Grand Opening. New Initiation fee $75.00 and Dues $25.00 --New Members were given a Club Burgee.

1968 - John Schmidt - Commodore - House Committee formed to keep the building clean with the help from Club Members. Fish Fries were held once a month Cost $0.85 for adults - $0.55 for a child. Good chance of getting the Railroad Bridge that crossed the river East of the Club open and removed. First bulletin board made. Won $100.00 Award in OBC Club of the Year Contest.

1969 - Robert Christensen (B.C.) - Commodore New burglar alarm and siren installed. Coast Guard Auxiliary asked 5th Street Yacht Club to form their own Flotilla. Heat lamp was installed in Galley Over food prep and serving area.

1970 - John Schmidt - Commodore - Rail Road Bridge will be removed in spring of 1971. Largest Cruise ever with 23 boats and  70 persons on board. First Corn and Brat with a band. W.B.A Conference at the Club

1971- Gerald Scully - Commodore - Florence Radford hired as Club Caterer. The RailRoad Bridge was removed.

1972 - Gerald Scully - Commodore - First L.M.Y.A. open house. Chit system passed.

1973 - Gene Linley - Commodore - New outdoor grills completed. Queen and Princess Contest restarted. Passed the Seawall project. New Law No Member can Charter from the Club. Received Tax-exempt Status.

1974 - Gene Linley - Commodore - Won First Place $500.00 Award for the Best Boat of Year from O.B.C. Sea Wall project completed. Large safe installed. New alarm system installed. Past Commodores Allowed to vote on Board for 1975. 

1975 - Richard Rasmussen - Commodore - Key Cards implemented. Membership increased to maximum of 165. Air Conditioning installed.

1976 - Robert Buesing - Commodore - New Parking light poles installed. Yard Birds formed by John Klingenberg. A 6 ft. fence installed on West end of Property. Kitchen improvements: New Deep Fryer and a new Microwave.

1977-1978 - William Proost Jr. - Commodore - New Tables and Chairs were purchased for the Dining Room. New insulating windows were put in the Bar room. First Place L.M.Y.A. for 6 districts.

1979 - John Schmidt - Commodore - Sea Wall bulkhead put on West side of Club Property. Launch Ramp piers moved form middle to East  West side. John will become a 3 time Commodore.

1980 - Robert Perttu - Commodore - Life Time Honorary Membership started. Fish Boil started. First Place for L.M.Y.A.

1981 - William Therey - Commodore - New Black Top - water put in for West side of Launch Ramp. Building: Galley expansion voted Down. 1st Place Award L.M.Y.A.

1982 - Herb Kauth - Commodore - Installed new Trophy Case & lights. Front Entrance was remodeled thanks to $500.00 donation by the Ladies Auxiliary. Work was done by Smokey Anderson, B. C. Christensen.  Herman who was not a Member. Last 1/2 of the Parking Lot was Black Topped relined.

1983 - Ken Kotes - Commodore - New stove delivered for Galley in April.. CPR Classes at Club in the spring. Chicago  N.W. R.R. accepted Offer to purchase land of old Rail Road track. A new cyclone fence as installed around Property. Herb Kauth and Dan Frost installed a Rotating red strobe light on the Club House roof which will be Activated when the alarm goes off. 1st Place Award for L.M.Y.A

1984 - Dan Frost - Commodore - New carpet installed in Bar Room. New Pier project proceeding to start March 1984. Pile driving and Equipment ready to go. 1st Auction held at the Corn & Brat.

1985 - Phil Ryan - Commodore - New pier project completed. Redecorating the Back Hall, outside front stained and Club name & Anchor installed on front of Club. Mural on back wall painted.  Anchor installed on front of Club. Mural on back wall painted. Gene Linley first Club Historian. Pier project completed in late Jan.

1986 - Orv Johnson - Commodore - New Piers back in the water. Dues increase $100.00 and $100.00 for increase $100.00 and $100.00 for Coupons. New sound system.

1987 - Lloyd Skip Larson - Commodore - August was First Venetian Night. Dues were raised to $150.00 bar Coupons stayed the same.

1988 - Richard Zamagne - Commodore - No Smoking at Meeting, passed. Ladies restroom project completed.

1989 - Dan Frost - Commodore - 5th Street Yacht Club host for Venetian Night. Winter boat storage passed.

1990 - Phil Ryan - Commodore - Mortgage burning party in March, free to all Club Members. 40% attended. New walkway outside of front door. New Life Time Honorary rules passed.

1991 - Carl Simon - Commodore - Completed new side walk East of Launch Ramp. New Sea Wall electric. Launch Ramp completely Rebuilt. Replaced heating and air conditioning units. Replaced roof. New property obtained; new driveway put in. R.O.W. started in late

1991. Pete Mauer won Grand Marshall award for Venetian Night.

1992 - Richard Petrouske - Commodore - Painted the outside of the Club House. Slip Rental West side of the Launch Ramp also new Slip . Rental Rules. New sign put on top of hill. Hired Danny’s as Club Caterer.

1993 - James Mohrland - Commodore - Karl Kaiser won Grand Marshall & Jim Mauer won Most Festive Award, Carl Simon won Most Novel Award for Venetian Night. Sea Wall Piers West of Launch Ramp completed Electrical work done, docks completed, West wall of Dining Room. Salmon Unlimited will hold their Meetings at 5th Street Yacht Club. Won 4 Awards for Venetian Night.

1994 - Russ Lasch - Commodore - Past Commodore pictures put up on West wall of the Dining Room. Salmon Unlimited will hold their Meetings at 5th Street Yacht Club. Our Club won 4 Awards.  For Venetian Night. Vertical Blinds installed. Bar Room was redecorated.

1995 - Neil Loomis - Commodore - Dining needs Food License for the first time. Club acquired a double refrigerator. Dishwasher put in. 4 Venetian Night winners.

1996 - Kent Lewis - Commodore- Side Walk completed West of Launch Ramp. New tabletops put on in Dining room. Docking Rules Changed from 48 hrs. to 72 hrs. Jim Mauer won Grand Marshall Venetian Night.

1997 - Jim Campbell - Commodore - Purchased  a 35 " T.V. Docking Rules changed from 48 hrs. to 72 hrs. Jim Mauer won Grand Marshall Award. New Club jackets, hats new Patio tables, new Patio extension, new Bar Stools for Bar Room. New Planters the Sea Wall, new lighting for security, for Bar Room. New Planters the Sea Wall, new lighting for security, New freezer for Galley.

1998 - Jim Mohrland - Commodore - Jeanne O'Brien Spray editor. John Oakland new Gallery Chef on May first. New steel doors put on all Entrance doors. West Side wheel chair accessible. First time 5 Past Commodores served on the same Board.

1999 - Orville Johnson Commodore - Flower Boat put on top of hill. Anne Micheles was the first Female to of 5th Street Yacht Club. New Galley put in by B.C. Christensen, John Schmidt, Jim Pentergast. Mike Mark League Corn Brat Chairmen for 16th time. Carl Simon won Grand Marshall Venetian Night. Bob & Diane Harris, Jeanne O'Brien put new wallpaper in the Bar Room.

2000 - John Schmidt - Commodore - Last time Venetian Night was held. Last time for Luau. L.M.Y.A. until 2004. Slips were dredged. New Alarm System Cameras system passed. John Schmidt, 4 times a Commodore. Gene Linley 13 time Entertainment Chairman.

2001 - Jeff Grau - Commodore -Main air conditioners repaired, River down 5". New floor in Dining Room and Hallway. Alarm System completed.

 2002 - Robert O'Brien - Commodore - New cooler put in.. Wheel Chair Ramp installed. Purchased 2 New Cash Registers. New Outdoor Grill Built by Bruce Meekma. Burned Mortgage. 1st year of Planning Committee. 2 more Female Members.

2003 - Roger Hays - Commodore - No smoking on Friday Nights in Dining Room. Summer Boat storage for trail able New Carpet in Bar Room. First Easter Hunt; Brunch. Walk-In Cooler repaired.

2004 - Jim Muleski; - Commodore - New Playground installed for children at the East End of the Club - Purchased by The Ladies Auxiliary. 50th Anniversary of 5th Street Yacht Club Party will be Held on Sept. 25th, 2004. Willow trees removed and 2 new trees Planted.

2005 - Chuck Kaplan becomes our 40th Commodore - Jeanne O'Brien becomes first lady Board member. John Schmidt and Gene Linley serve on the Board for their 24th and 23rd time respectively. New blacktop, drainage system installed. New air cleaners added to club house and water system added to the seawall.

2006 - Chuck Kaplan re-elected Commodore - John Schmidt and Gene Linley serve their 25th and 24th year on Board respectively. Bob and Jeanne O'Brien become first husband and wife elected to the board. First time the Board had 7 past Commodores serving. Water pipes to Seawall completed. Ladies Auxiliary purchased new umbrellas for the patio tables. New safe was installed at the club. Club website started. Club rule book updated and sent out.New paint on outside of club house, as well as insulation in the attic. Hall of Fame Plaque presented to club. New lawn mower purchased.

Gene Linley attends his last Board meeting in December. Here is a bit of what Gene had to say:

This is my 288th and last Board meeting. It started on a cold January night in 1971 and ends 4 decades later in December of 2006. I want you and the membership to know it has been an honor and privilege to serve on the board for these past 24 years. Throughout the years I tried to make decisions for the good and welfare of all club members, not just a few. It's amazing what you can accomplish when no one takes credit. This has been the philosophy of our board all these years to be a team. I want to thank John Schmidt for selecting me as Entertainment Chairman in 1970. That was what got me started on this long journey. I leave tonight with my head high knowing I'm the luckiest man alive for having been allowed to serve all these years, on the board of the best Yacht Club in the Midwest.

2007

Look how full the marina was in 1989!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mxDH3gUuH0