Today in Wheeling History: March 26--The West Virginia Snakes Club, a private fraternal men's organization founded by Robert J. and Harry W. Browning and their friends to promote sociability and goodwill among its members, was incorporated (1945).
Today in Wheeling History: March 26--The West Virginia Snakes Club, a private fraternal men's organization founded by Robert J. and Harry W. Browning and their friends to promote sociability and goodwill among its members, was incorporated (1945).
The West Virginia Snakes Club, located at 923 Main St. in Wheeling, is a private fraternal men's organization founded in 1945. Before World War II, an early iteration of the club called the Washington Club existed in North Wheeling, but it closed down when most of its members went off to war. After the war, the men reopened the club and named it the West Virginia Snakes Club. Initially, the club met in a space above the old Dinner Bell diner before moving to a basement space in the former Pennsylvania Railroad station building as membership grew. In the mid-to-late 1950s, the club purchased the residence at its current location, 923 Main St., which had previously been apartments. The club's historic building, constructed between 1831 and 1845, sits on land originally claimed by Wheeling founder Ebenezer Zane and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. Throughout its history, the club has served as a social gathering place for its members, offering events such as Christmas dinners and summer family picnics. Membership is open to male U.S. citizens aged 21 and older, and prospective members must be sponsored by a current member. The club has undergone renovations while respecting the historical significance of the structure, and it continues to be a fixture in the Wheeling community.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/yc8renhf) (https://tinyurl.com/t3dy6wy6) (https://tinyurl.com/7fr6ahpt)
Photo credits: Weelunk
Today in Wheeling History: March 26--The West Virginia Snakes Club, a private fraternal men's organization founded by Robert J. and Harry W. Browning and their friends to promote sociability and goodwill among its members, was incorporated (1945).
The West Virginia Snakes Club, located at 923 Main St. in Wheeling, is a private fraternal men's organization founded in 1945. Before World War II, an early iteration of the club called the Washington Club existed in North Wheeling, but it closed down when most of its members went off to war. After the war, the men reopened the club and named it the West Virginia Snakes Club. Initially, the club met in a space above the old Dinner Bell diner before moving to a basement space in the former Pennsylvania Railroad station building as membership grew. In the mid-to-late 1950s, the club purchased the residence at its current location, 923 Main St., which had previously been apartments. The club's historic building, constructed between 1831 and 1845, sits on land originally claimed by Wheeling founder Ebenezer Zane and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1991. Throughout its history, the club has served as a social gathering place for its members, offering events such as Christmas dinners and summer family picnics. Membership is open to male U.S. citizens aged 21 and older, and prospective members must be sponsored by a current member. The club has undergone renovations while respecting the historical significance of the structure, and it continues to be a fixture in the Wheeling community.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/yc8renhf) (https://tinyurl.com/t3dy6wy6) (https://tinyurl.com/7fr6ahpt)
Photo credits: Weelunk
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