Automobile Club of Buffalo
10405 Main Street, Clarence, NY
Companion page: Interior Photos
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Erected: |
1911 See also: Highlights of Buffalo History, 1911 |
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Architects: |
Esenwein & Johnson |
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Style: |
Arts and Crafts |
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Current owner: |
The Town of Clarence bought the club and surrounding property in 1957. Today, the club house serves as a meeting and dining facility for the citizens of Clarence. |
Click on illustrations for larger size -- and additional information
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Rubble masonry wall |
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Photos were taken on Oct 19, 2003 during the Doors Open Festival |
Wide, unenclosed eave overhangs are common Arts and Crafts feature |
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Natural materials like wood, tile, and stone are common Arts and Crafts features |
Rafter tails ... Tuscan column |
Circular roof above an entrance porch ... exposed rafter tails |
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Exposed rafter tails are a common Arts and Crafts feature |
Reprinted from "The History of Clarence Past and Present," Issued on July 4, 1924To many of the nearly 10, 000 members of the Automobile Club of Buffalo, one of the most attractive features of membership is the club's beautiful country quarters nestling in charming environment at Clarence, N.Y., seventeen miles from the business center of Buffalo. The location for the clubhouse was selected by able club committees more than fifteen years ago, when a thorough inspection of probable sites in this end of the State was made.
Formally opened in the spring of 1911 to the members oft he Automobile Club of Buffalo and to members of all automobile clubs affiliated with the American Automobile Association, the national body of organized car owners, the Country Club immediately became a mecca for club members and their families. The popularity of the country quarters has steadily increased. Its reputation for all of the comforts and conveniences embodied in a modern automobile country club has brought to the attention of thousands of motorists throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe,
The Automobile Club of Buffalo is the only automobile club east of St. Paul that maintains an institution of this kind, and is one of probably not more than six automobile clubs in the United States that possesses a country club.
The country club is seldom mentioned in print or otherwise unless coupled with the name, "Clarence, N.Y.," a form of persistent advertising that has brought the village and the club quarters to the favorable attention of probably 3,000,000 motorists in the past several years.
In the guests' register maintained at the clubhouse will be found the names of motorists from every State of the Union, and from practically all parts of the world.
The groundsIn the many acres of grounds surrounding the clubhouse there is a beautifully wooded section, a broad expanse of well-kept lawns, an immense gymkhana field for a wide range of out-of-door pastimes, a trap-shooting range, tennis courts, and a small, but beautiful, lake fed by natural springs, which provides facilities for swimming and other aquatic sports. The Urban Gardens, a beautiful floral plot which graces the property along the main highway, is one of the most pleasing views on the grounds when thousands of perennials are in bloom. The Urban Gardens were the gift of George Urban, Jr., a pioneer member of the club, who takes personal interest and pride in maintaining the gardens.
Ornamental and electrically lighted pergolas have been installed in various parts of the grounds and combine with other embellishments to make the scene most delightful and. refreshing.
