Boat and Canoe Club History

Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club

Memories of Owashtanong and Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club

The Owashtanong Club had been organized in 1886 by John Homiller, a furniture manufacturer. His associates were George H.Perry, a former mayor, and A. B. Kennen and C. W. Chanucey. One of the popular sports was rowing. In 1902 the club was reorganized as the Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club and moved to North Park-on-the-Grand. At the time it had a membership of 150 which later increased to 400. Originally it had quarters south of the North Park Bridge but some six years later, the club moved into a new building just north of the bridge. Other sports were shell racing, competitive swimming, tennis and they also had a baseball team. Soon after the end of World War I, the automobile changed things. Members soon joined country clubs at the expense of the North Park club. In the 1902's the club was dissolved.

The Owashtanong Club at Reeds Lake came to a fiery end around 1920. It was succeeded by the former Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club, on the Grand River at North Park.

The first boathouse for the city's rowing club was built in 1910 at North Park St. NW and Monroe Ave. It was located at the current site of the American Legion, in the North Park business district at the north end of Grand Rapids.  (from MiGenWeb)

American Legion Boat and Canoe Club History

"Our American Legion Boat & Canoe Club traces its history back to the 1886 Owashtanong (O-wash-ta-nong) Club located on Reeds Lake. In 1902 the Owashtanong Club reorganized as the Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club and moved into new quarters, consisting of a boat house and gazebo located at North-Park-on the Grand. This property is located on the east bank of the Grand River, south of the North Park bridge (under the current I-96). In 1908 the Grand Rapids Boat and Canoe Club relocated to yet another new building on the east bank of the Grand River just north of the North Park bridge (behind our current building), where it operated successfully until 1929. The Great Depression forced the City of Grand Rapids to take over the building and property. 

On Saturday June 8, 1941, the Grand Rapids American Legion Realty Corporation reopened the renovated building as The Boat and Canoe Club. This milestone was accomplished by a group of very dedicated Legionnaires. At the time, many American Legion Posts did not have permanent homes and held meetings at different locations around the area, so six Posts made The Boat and Canoe Club home base.

The Club operated successfully for several years, under leases, mortgages, and loans (the Home Board possesses several of these documents currently). In 1961, the American Legion Memorial Home Association was incorporated, with the expressed intent of purchasing and operating the building and property from the Grand Rapids American Legion Realty Corporation. 

In December 1964 the Boat and Canoe Club burned to the main floor line and became a total loss. The Boat and Canoe Club's current building (located just south of the old building's foundation) opened (accompanied by a mortgage) in 1966, becoming an immediate success. According to oral history, the Boat & Canoe Club quickly became the “place to go.” On August 6, 1992, Furniture City Post #258 retired the mortgage, and the American Legion Memorial Home Association (ALMHA) became the owner of our property and building."

Joe Rogers

November 2012

Oral history and research at the Ryerson Library

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The City of Grand Rapids took over the property in 1929 and sold it to the Grand Rapids Coach and Motor Company which used it as a skating rink. The City took the property back in the mid 1930's and in 1941 sold it to the American Legion. Sadly, the elegant boathouse burned down in December 1964, and only the basement level remained.  The Post was rebuilt with changes that made it safer in flood times.

In 2009 the full service lounge was opened to members and their guest allowing the club to continue serving member with dances, charitable events and good camaraderie.

 It seems that the main reason there are three (down from six) Posts at the Boat & Canoe Club is because it was the perfect place at the perfect time. With so many Posts not having an official home for meetings, the Boat & Canoe Club made the most sense. Given how challenging it has been and can be for the three Posts that currently call the Club home to get along and do the work of the Legion, we're lucky to still have three!