The Country Club of Indianapolis

The Country Club of Indianapolis was born more than 115 years ago on June 4, 1891. It was the first country club in the city and among the earliest in the nation. Those who formed the club were prominent social and industrial figures in the thriving city of 40,000. Incorporators and members of the first Board of Directors were Chapin C. Foster, William L. Elder, William J. Richards, Ferdinand L. Mayer, William H. Coleman, Charles F. Sayles, Charles E. Collins, Cortland VanCamp, and Horace Bennett. A remodeled farmhouse where the Woodstock Club is now situated served as the first clubhouse. It burned November 4, 1904 and was rebuilt only to burn again later. Back then, a day at the club was a full day. Members took a streetcar from downtown to Mapleton (which now is Illinois Street and Maple Road) for the first leg of the journey. Then they were picked up by the club's "carry-all", a wagon-like vehicle with seats along the sides for the last lap of the trip. Originally, it was not golf, but tennis and enclosed bowling in the clubhouse that attracted members.