THE COUNTRY CLUB – formed in July of 1901 and rented I.S. Curtis' vacant lot on the northwest corner of Fourth Street and Milford Road. Its 40 members included president Frank F. Maxwell, and vice president James N. Reading. It planned to have a tennis court, croquet grounds, and social functions at least once a month. The Star predicted it would “unquestionably be the center of social life of the town for the summer.”
Its first function was a lawn fete on the evening of Monday, July 15, featuring club colors of red and white and a rustic arch at the entrance proclaiming “The Country Club.” Damp weather drove revelers onto Curtis' porch next door, but a good time was had by all.
Before the month was out, the club followed up with a “boat carnival.” The members boarded a series of gaily decorated and illuminated boats at the foot of Eighth Street and landed on Fabian's Island (now New Life Island) for refreshments, music and games, before departing for home at 11:30. Yes, there was moonlight.
In August a four-horse team drew 22 Country Clubbers to the Willow Grove, Pa., amusement park; and also held a “golden tea” on their home grounds. In September a canal boat trip was taken to the Durham cave and the Durham Furnace, with a stop at a farm to buy watermelons. The season was closed out with a costume party at the home of attorney Lorenzo Hagaman. Ruth Apgar recalled that this club was for Frenchtown's “upper crust.”
The club eventually rented the Curtis residence next door at 37 Fourth Street as its clubhouse.
In 1911 Curtis sold the Country Club lot to Chester Niece, who built his mansion there. After Niece died in 1977, the house became the home of his nephew Frank Barrett. Minette Reading bought the house after Barrett's death in 2013 and her father, Dorsey Reading, restored its splendor.
There were two other venues for tennis in old Frenchtown -- at the Eddy home, which was where the American Legion is now, and at the porcelain factory.
From "Rick's Frenchtown Encyclopedia" (a work in progress)
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