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One hundred twenty-eight colorful and satisfying years - years filled with happiness, pathos, concern, humor, hope, faith and fulfillment - but mostly happiness. That is Cleveland Yachting Club's story. It was 129 years ago, on September 21, 1878 , that Commodore George W. Gardner, one of Cleveland 's civic leaders, called a meeting of important citizens in an effort to save some of the lakefront for the people. The new railroads were being pushed westward. The simplest rights of way were along the shores of the lake. Cleveland needed them and the commerce they would produce. To get the railroads, the City was giving them the land that was its greatest natural asset and the birthright of its people. Almost every one of the railroads passing through Cleveland was built on land given to them. Gardner, owner of a long line of sail and steam yachts and destined to become Mayor of the City, decided to do something about it. At the meeting, CYC was born and named, for the time being, the Cleveland Yachting Association. The first Commodore was Thomas H. Smead, about whom little is known except that he was a newspaper publisher and served as Commodore Gardner's secretary. Four months later, Gardner succeeded him and remained as CYC's Commodore until 1895. Club quarters were established in the old Case Block on the site currently occupied by the Main Cleveland Public Library. The building also served as Cleveland 's City Hall. A dock building was erected near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River . The Club became the center of the city's social life. In 1888, it was incorporated as the Cleveland Yacht Club. In 1891, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury granted the Club a lease of the lakefront at the foot of East 9th Street . The cornerstone of the new clubhouse was soon laid and the building was completed in 1895, being formally opened on September 15 with most of the Club's 346 members present.
George H. Worthington was elected Commodore in 1895 and held office until 1914. In 1895, CYC directed the Cleveland Centennial Regatta, the largest regatta held on fresh water to that time. A number of the members began to use Rocky River as their summer anchorage. Led by A.J. Phelps and Henry Gerlach, these men in 1900 organized the Lakewood Yacht Club and were invited to join the Inter-Lake Yachting Association that had been organized by Commodore Gardner in 1885.
The first clubhouse at Rocky River was a pair of piano boxes set back-to-back on the east bank of the river. This was followed by a rambling one-story structure on Clifton Park Beach . In 1906, LYC acquired Indian Island in Rocky River and moved the one-story structure across the water the following year.
During 1896, Commodore Gardner, with the help of Commodore S.O. Richardson of Toledo , pushed for the organization of the North American Yacht Racing Union, now known as the U.S. Yacht Racing Union. Their drive was successful in spite of the opposition of the East Coast Clubs.
CYC and LYC merged in 1913. The main Club quarters were established in the LYC building. The downtown building was named the East 9th Street Station, but was discontinued the following year. On November 29, 1914 , the stately, three-story structure was slid onto three barges and, over a flat, oily sea, towed to Rocky River where it was attached to the LYC building with a commanding view of the lake.
The Club became known as one of the nation's finest. There were 1,000 members. A dance hall and movie building were erected. Tennis and handball courts, swimming pool, barber shop and an excellent restaurant were but a few of the improvements. Sir Thomas Lipton presented the Club's R Class with a magnificent Sterling trophy. The Club juniors, 300 strong, had their own Naval Cadet organization, their own barracks building and the sleek, 110 foot motor yacht, Tillicum, for their training ship. The Club flag was carried around the world aboard the famous yacht Speejacks owned by Commodore Albert Y. Gowen.
The post-war depression of 1921 and the cost of operating the restaurant combined to create a financial disaster for the Club. It was declared bankrupt and its property sold at auction. A loyal band of members, headed by Edward E. Noble, reorganized under the name of Cleveland Yachting Club and secured a lease on the island. The junior barracks was converted into a clubhouse. To help defray expenses, the large clubhouse was sublet as a nightclub and named Blossom Heath. There Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians started on their road to fame in music and fast boats. In 1927, Blossom Heath was destroyed by fire. It was rough going again during the Great Depression of the 1930's but under the leadership of Commodore Milton N. Gallup the Club blossomed. The clubhouse was moved to the Snug Harbor building on the river edge. Through the efforts of Commodore Neville C. Foster, a fund was raised and earmarked for the repurchase of the island which was effected during 1949 by a committee headed by Commodore W. Whitney Slaght. Renovation was begun in earnest. In 1964 an imposing new clubhouse was dedicated on the evening that Jay C. Ehle was installed as Commodore. During 1987, through the combined efforts of Commodore Horace E. Wetzell, Jr. and incumbent Commodore Richard E. Slaght, a new bridge from the mainland to the island replaced the old highway bridge that had served well for three quarters of a century. The big surprise of 1990 was the installation of a new elevator in the clubhouse for the benefit of older members. To everyone's pleasure, in the Spring of 1991 we enjoyed the completion of Phase I of the bulk heading project, the north basin, and arm. 1993 was again a year of improvement and reconstruction. The Island electrical system underwent a major modernization, and Phase II of the new bulkheading for the East Channel was under way. The CYC publications of the "Guff Box" and "Nautical News" were combined into the new monthly publication entitled "The CYC Islander". Much to our shock and dismay, the worst ice flood since 1959 occurred on January 28, 1994 , leaving our island inaccessible for a month. The balance of the year involved cleaning up with a lot of help from many member volunteers. Phase II of the bulkheading project of the East Channel was completed. The year 1995 brought us very hot, but good cruising weather, the St. Petersburg Trophy for the best in-water regatta held for the Thistle Nationals, and finally replacement of the footbridge across the launch well. During 1996 and into 1997 was the planning and construction of a new building on the island at northwest corner of the pool. 1998 saw the completion of Phase III of the bulkheading for the West Channel. The years 1998 through 2001 brought CYC many improvements and upgrades including a new computer system, porch furniture, floating docks, Center Isle interior renovations, men's locker room, landscaping, playground, sail camp boats, and more. This is 2007. At the helm is Commodore Richard F. Wilbert, he's been a member of the Club since 1979. As his predecessors, he is dedicated to perpetuating the Club's tradition of fine sportsmanship and yachting and all its endeavors. CYC is one of the oldest and finest yachting clubs in the nation. Its fleet of sail and power yachts have made its burgee known around the world. It was responsible for the organization of the Inter-Lake Yachting Association and the Yacht Racing Union of the Great Lakes as well as playing the dominant role in the creation of the North American Yacht Racing Union now known as the United States Yacht Racing Union. During its first century, CYC has served well the sport of yachting. Its second century promises to be outstanding.
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