OWC History
I had originally thought to put the entire Omaha Walking Club Handbook into this site. It contains a huge amount of valuable information about the club including the club's history. Upon further reflection, however, I have decided to only provide the history portion of the manual within this area.
Please keep in mind that the following information is copyrighted material by and of The Omaha Walking Club. We ask you to not use any portion of it without express written permission of either the President or the Board of Directors of the OWC.
In the Beginning
Hikers in the Early 20's
How the Club was Organized
How the Camp and Club Buildings came into Existence
The Club had Troubles but also Spirit
Addendum - O.W.C. History, 1984-1994
Addendum - O.W.C. History, 1995-2007
Closing - From a 1994 O.W.C. Bulletin
In the beginning --
"Helen Morton looked out of her kitchen window, observed that nature was awakening from a long sleep, and remarked "I must get outdoors.'
Mrs. John Robbins, bored with conventional city activities, hungered for the quiet rural environment.
About the same time, Edith Tobitt felt the warm spring sun shining thru the south windows of the Public Library and decided that she should have some fresh air.
Allie Houston, restless after a long winter's confinement, concluded that she needed a walk in the woods.
So Mrs. Morton put aside her housekeeping, Mrs. Robbins threw away club activities into a pigeonhole, Miss Tobitt dropped her library work, Miss Houston laid down her sewing, AND --
The four met out where the city ends and the country begins. Each brought along a new friend because joys are always multiplied when shared. Promptly they decided to merge their separate trails into one purposeful pilgrimage. The pilgrimage started on that occasion has never faltered."
Hence the Omaha Walking Club had its beginning on March 30, 1919.
Hikers in The Early 20's
Because of that beginning --
A lot of people have been emancipated from conventional clothing,
A lot of people have battled sleet and the strong North wind,
A lot of people have seen the fields covered with a blanket of snow,
A lot of people have experienced the thrill that comes from overcoming hazards.
AND -----
Many people have joined the Omaha Walking Club for Exercise -
They got it.
Dozens have also found husbands and wives.
Scores have found sweethearts.
Hundreds have also found congenial comrades,
Hundreds have found lasting friends.
Hundreds have also found health,
Hundreds have tapped the real joy of living,
Hundreds have discovered that freedom.
All because --
Helen Morton was restless for the open space, Mrs. Robbins wanted to get away from city discord,
Edith Tobitt hungered for fresh air,
Allie Houston craved outdoor recreation.
- Edwin S. Jewell
OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE OMAHA WALKING CLUB
By Handbook Committee)
Walk number one started from Mandan Park Sunday afternoon, March 30, 1919 at four o'clock. The party, consisting of 25 men and women, met at the end of the Albright streetcar line.
When Coffin Springs was reached time was taken out for rest and refreshment. The group was accustomed to taking a few walks each spring. The time and place of meeting was communicated over the telephone by either Miss Edith Tobitt, Miss Allie Houston, Mrs. George T. Morton, or Mrs. John W. Robbins. On this occasion, Mr. Edwin S. Jewell, formerly of Chicago, was the guest of Miss Houston.
During the rest period, Mr. Jewell told about the organization and activities of The Prairie Club of Chicago. The group was so much interested that it decided to form a similar organization right then and there.
Edith Tobitt was elected president; Edwin S. Jewell, vice president; Allie Houston, treasurer; and Helen Morton, secretary. After some discussion the name "Omaha Walking Club" was adopted and annual dues of 50 cents were assessed and paid to the treasurer.
The following day the officers prepared a program of twelve walks. It was on walk number four of this first series that Dr. Harold Gifford took the club over the trail that leads from Fontenelle Forest entrance to the Club's permanent camp for the first time. The date was April 20, 1919. The walk was scheduled "from Albright to Wiley Point via Boy Scout Camp."
The Club's first annual meeting was held January 9, 1920 at the South Omaha Branch Library building.
During 1919 the Club scheduled 29 walks covering 185 miles. Total attendance for the year was 981, which was an average of 34 for each walk.
At the first annual meeting the dues were raised to one dollar per year.
An abandoned cottage standing in the field between the Boy Scout Camp and the old farm buildings was the Club's first "Shack." Dr. Harold Gifford, the owner, permitted its use as a shelter and meeting spot. The abandoned cottage served the Club well, after cleaning and repairs were completed, but unfortunately it was destroyed by fire on May 24, 1921. Dr. Gifford consented to the erection of a new shack in the wooded area to the north. At the time of the fire, the men's sleeping cabin was in the process of construction. Jim Baldwin promptly moved the uncompleted structure to the new camp site, and it served as a temporary Club house during the summer.
A strong demand for a real Club house soon developed, and to test members' enthusiasm a subscription blank was placed on a table at the next monthly meeting. Within a very few minutes pledges in excess of $300 had been made.
Following the meeting plans were drawn and building started immediately. As the work progressed and more funds were needed, Homer Pennock was authorized to put on one of his famous chicken dinners, and the treasurer was directed to sell books containing coupons good for shack dues.
As the work progressed, excitement increased. House warming and dedication was announced to be October 16, 1921. The day came and crowds of people were on hand. When a flash light picture was taken in the evening 160 faces were turned toward the camera. Following the picture taking, a snake dance was organized and the crowd marched single file several times around the new building. At the south entrance a dish pan was placed on a bench. Red and green light was plentiful, and "Red" Bill Weist was dressed in his Devil uniform, slapstick in hand, ready to whack anyone who failed to throw silver into the dish pan. When the procession ended and the pile of silver had been counted, the Club had enough cash on hand to meet its unpaid bills, amounting to approximately $50. Thus the lounge section of the shack and the women's sleeping cabin went into service in a blaze of glory, complete and free from debt.
Naturally, more service cost more money, so the dues were again raised, this time to $2.00 per year, plus an initiation fee of $1.00 for new members. Every visitor at the Shack was assessed ten cents.
The Club grew so fast it was found necessary to build a wing south of the main building for use as a dining room and kitchen. In the Spring of 1923, plans were approved and work started. Another subscription paper was passed around, more coupon books were sold, and more Pennock chicken dinners were served. When Fall arrived, the wing was finished and all bills paid.
When 1925 rolled around, the Club house had become so cluttered with cots and mattresses, tools, wood, and building material that something had to be done. Mr. C. F. Drake offered to provide labor if the Club would furnish the material for another building. His offer was accepted and the storage building south of the Shack, called the "Dog House", is the "building Drake built."
The Club Had Troubles But Also Spirit
Looking back, there seem to have been no outstanding events occurring for several years, just many people enjoying themselves in the outdoors.
World War II came along and 28 members, one-fourth of the membership, answered the call of their country. The Club was represented in the Air Corps, Army, Army Nurses, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy, Red Cross, Sea Bees, U.S.O., WACS and WAVES. Everyone came home safely although we did have one wearer of the Purple Heart.
The Club did have its troubles, however. Like all things situated on the so-called bottom land along the Missouri River the Club has not escaped the river entirely. Although it has growled at us in past years and walked right up to our doors, it was on Homecoming Sunday, April 11, 1943 that it rose the highest since 1881 and did its first damage. It dug several holes around the Shack and two under the women's sleeping tent and left the front steps hanging in mid air, but did not enter the Shack itself. Homecoming had to be postponed but Cleanup Sunday was substituted two weeks later.
The Silver Anniversary Homecoming was held on March 26, 1944 and the day was in keeping with the event, all snow-white with the silver of cloudy skies to top it off.
Sunday, April 16, Old Man Missouri held his second annual homecoming but he didn't take over the grounds or do any damage as he did in 1943. Two high-boot members made it to the Shack but sixteen low-boot members got only to the clearing and then detoured to the big spring by the tracks.
Again in the Spring of 1950 the river covered the grounds to a depth of one foot but did no damage. However, before the last day of the year had come and gone, the Club was to suffer a real catastrophe, for on that date, December 31, 1950, the Shack and all its contents were consumed by fire. It was a dreary scene that confronted the thirty folks who came to the grounds on New Year's Day 1951, but Shack or no Shack, the old Walking Club spirit prevailed and coffee and cookies were ready and shack dues were collected and the first dollar was donated for a new Shack.
On January 11th, fifty-nine members met at the Y.W.C.A. to make plans for a new Shack. A Building Committee and a Finance Committee were elected. On February 15th another open meeting was held and it was decided that the new Shack would be designed and built as nearly like the old one as possible except that it would be built of concrete blocks and have a cement door. A contract was let to Martin Peniston for putting up the walls and laying the floor but the footings and the roof and painting were to be done by the members.
Trenches were dug and footings poured in May and then the rains came and work was halted until July when the contractor started erecting the walls. The latter part of July and the first of August saw the roof completed and the floor laid. September and October saw the windows and doors finished, a new stove, the gift of Dr. and Mrs. Harold Gifford, installed and the fireplace in use. The new fireplace is built exactly over the site of the old one. A back porch was also built. Homecoming was September 16th and 83 members and guests turned out to inspect the new Shack, and since it was also Shack Shower Day many useful gifts were received. At the Annual meeting and dinner Charley Gadway gave a report of the Building Committee and he was given a rising vote of thanks for his work in the erection of the Shack. The Finance Committee reported gifts of $376.00 from former members and friends and $1,206.50 from present members. These plus $1,000.00 insurance and some miscellaneous items resulted in a Shack fund of $2,623.38. The winter months of 1952 saw the ceiling installed, the final touch to a wonderful example of good will and cooperation.
It was a happy Club again but not for long. Homecoming 1952 was set for May 5th in our new home but two weeks before that date Old Man River was presenting the grand daddy of all floods. The river crested at 31.08 feet and was a raging torrent from hill to hill. It was another major calamity for the Club. Fortunately, the evening the river left its banks four members dashed down to the Shack and carried mattresses, paint and tools inside and put them on tables and as it later developed, just six inches above the flood level in the Shack.
Then the waiting and worrying started and lasted for two weeks. After one vain attempt by two members to reach the Shack, Ken Wenger, Harold Hatch, Charley Gadway and Joe and Mike Burke, on a Saturday morning, waded thru mud and water to the Shack. What a sight greeted them! A horseshoe lake almost surrounding the Shack, huge ditches around and thru the grounds and trails, three inches of mud on the floor and a high water mark of twenty-three inches in the Shack. One corner of the footing was completely undermined. Every wooden building was off its foundation and in a hole dug for it by the flood.
With no money left after building the Shack the year before and only the disheartening mess a flood can leave, the members were put to a second test. Tools were borrowed, since we had none of our own, and after two months of hard work on each weekend the buildings were back on an even keel and in use. The corner of the Shack that had been undercut was shored up with cement blocks and creosoted ties and the interior was painted. By fall the ditches around the Shack had been filled and the exterior painted. Since then the sleeping cabins have been painted.
The flood had one good result. It uncovered about 400 feet of unused water line which was dug up. In the spring of 1954 it was used to pipe spring water to the Shack and there is now an outside faucet running sparkling clear water.
During the winter of 1981-1982 following a period of subzero weather the water line froze making it necessary to carry water from the "farm." This source of water has now been augmented by the installation of a water line from a well drilled at the "farm."
In the past few years the Shack has been "modernized" to the extent of having an inside sink, gas lights and combination wood and gas stove, also built-in cabinets. The traditional "Violet" and "Petunia" are still in use, as are the sleeping cabins and the "Dog House," and a woodshed has been added. Because of members working together, the Shack has continued to present a good appearance, as have the other buildings at our Permanent Camp. We started our second fifty years with completely refurbished Shack, both inside and out.
In only one instance in its history has the Official Board closed the Shack door because of the weather, and that was on Sunday, March 20th, 1960 when a 27-inch blanket of snow lay on the ground, with drifts much deeper. True to tradition, the Hostess for the day and three of her venturesome friends, feeling the challenge, battled the deep snow to the Shack, taking twice the time as it would ordinarily. Joe Burke, the only man of the group was practically lost in the deep drifts. Likewise the scheduled Heron Hike for that date was canceled, as was the River Hike north of Florence for the following week, but on that date, March 27th, the Hike Leader and a few sturdy hikers came through to go on their already scouted hike.
There have been several other occasions when it was necessary for Fontenelle Forest to be closed due to trail conditions. Outside of these few instances the Shack has been opened every Sunday throughout these many years.
Although we have been through fire and water in the past, during the intervening years, good fortune has smiled on the Club, and we are still going strong.
The previous bit of information originated from The Omaha Walking Club Handbook and was published in 1984. Since then we have added more through the use of addendums to the Handbook. This information is as follows:
The next seven years passed rather smoothly. We had our share of heat, rain, cold, ice, and snow; but our activities progressed anyway. We hiked in parks, surrounding areas, and the Forest. Some were moonlight walks. Vacation outings were mostly to Colorado. Memorial and Labor Day outings took us frequently to Camps Moses Merrill, Fontanelle, Calvin Crest and Wakonda.
The Annual Picnic was usually at Benson Park while the winter carnival had more varied locations. Summer potlucks were at members' homes. Annual Dinner meetings were in December.
The Shack was open on Sundays, except during deer-hunting season. Volleyball was popular. Overnights were held. Extra activities included New Year's Eve parties, February parties, Easter egg bakes, Halloween, Cleanup and Woodcutting Days.
Homecoming Day was a special yearly party. Themes included Hobo Athletes, Mexican Fiesta, Style Show, U.S.A., Pioneers, Indians, and School Reunion.
Our yearly photo albums helped us connect with the past while life moved on. There were illnesses and deaths. Weddings, births, and new members helped to renew our spirits.
Our 70th Anniversary year was 1989. Members were encouraged to hike 70 miles and to be recognized at the Anniversary Dinner in May. Wednesday walks were started to help us reach this goal. A walk was taken to Coffin Springs where the first meeting of OWC was held. Olympiad was held in September. Caps were sold all year; members still wear them.
A community improvement activity was added in 1992: Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Campaign. The land where our club buildings were located was donated to E.S.U. #3. OWC was asked by its administrator if we would consider leasing our buildings for their educational programs. We declined, not wanting changes made and not wanting public access made to our property.
Our lease was good for another 8 years we thought. A clause stated, however, that the Lessor could cancel the lease with 6-months' notice, purchasing all the buildings erected by the Lessee!!!
In 1992 we lost the Shack to an "unfriendly takeover." Feelings of disaster, disbelief and grief gripped club members.
We moved out of the Shack in September. Members stored our equipment in their homes. For Sunday meetings, Miceks offered their home; or we met at Chalco Hills or rented the AkSarBen building at the Forest.
"We can cry only so long; then we have to do something." Dean Drickey volunteered to be the architect and leader of the building crew for remodeling two dilapidated buildings on YWCA property. It is a beautiful wooded area near the Nature Center.
A large dead oak tree, about 70' tall and 45" in diameter, was cut down. We sawed it up - enough wood for our heating stove for years.
One building was remodeled and enlarged for our meeting room. We have electricity and fans. Screens on windows and doors, and carpet on the floor, add to our comfort.
The old bathhouse became two storage rooms and two restrooms with modern plumbing and a propane heater. "Goodbye, Petunia!" Regulations required a handicap ramp tot he restrooms. One was hurriedly built so we could get permission to use our remodeled buildings.
Finally, in August, 1993 we had full use of our modern facility; photo albums and volleyball court included. We had our Grand Opening in October. We held a club auction and voted for the name "The Club House."
Our 75th anniversary year, 1994, was celebrated in May. We wore our new OWC T-shirts. All gathered around our flagpole for a touching flag ceremony. The program included a TV show with "reporters" interviewing OWC members about our history. It ended with predictions for the future. Let's make it a positive future!
O.W.C. History, 1995-2007
(Much of this addendum was provided by David Garrison)
General: Just like the Ol' Oak tree that has been around nearly 90 years the Omaha Walking Club has been showing the same telltale signs of aging. Limbs and branches become casualties of age and high winds, falling to the ground one at a time or in groups and leaving gaps. Similarly Walkers have slowed down, passed on, sometimes without bringing in new members to take their place, leaving a similar gap. Membership is down but costs to keep all aspects of the club running are up. Enthusiasm and energy levels are waning but the needs of the various club functions haven't changed. The Board needs officers and directors, the committees need chairmen and members. Events like Sunday walks, Clubhouse hosting, Homecoming, Winter Carnival, Nominating Committee, Annual Dinner/Meeting continue to need volunteers and participants. It is clear that the OWC is in transition and regorganizing will probably needed soon. With that said, the heart of the Club continues to beat strong with a sense of purpose and desire to continue on. Almost 90 years later there are still more than a few Walkers willing to continue in the spirit of those four ladies who started this Club because they wanted to "get outdoors," "hungered for the quiet rural environment," get "some fresh air," take a "walk in the woods."
Clubhouse Notes: Through the last 14 years the Clubhouse in Fontenelle Forest has continued to be the "home" of the OWC. Those Walkers who slowed down for one reason or another still had a place to hang their hats and spend time with their OWC friends pretty much every Sunday of every year. However, as membership began to drop off, so did support for the Clubhouse and its hefty rental cost. A number of fund raising events and activities were planned. One sign of waning interest in the Clubhouse was the struggle to find hosts/hostesses. This resulted in "No Host Days." April 18, 2001 was the first NO HOST day at the OWC Clubhouse within recent memory because of shortage of volunteers to act as host or hostess. Within a few years, there were about six to eight NO HOST Sundays at the Clubhouse, not counting a few Sundays each year when it was closed (Christmas and Winter Carnival, for example). One very hot Sunday in the very hot month of August 2007 the was left empty by popular vote.
When this new "Shack" was completed in 1993 it rested on Camp Brewster (YMCA) property. Within a few years, the "Y" sold the land and the OWC Buildings to Fontenelle Forest. By 2005 OWC was paying Fontenelle Forest a yearly rental fee of more than $2200.
The rental agreement for the Clubhouse is the "Memorandum of Agreement between Fontenelle Forest and OWC." It was renewed in 2005 with a couple of significant changes: As owner, the Forest is solely responsible for the Clubhouse buildings and the grounds; as renter, OWC is responsible for liability insurance, routine care of buildings and grounds and payments for rent and utilities.
Memorial Committee: Chairman Carole Lainof contacted Graphic Designer Cathy Skalka who was contracted to produce a memorial display in 2005. At the May 1st Board meeting, the "Exhibit In Memory of Those Who Walked Before Us" was presented to the Club. That was followed by a high quality color brochure. The display and brochures were made available at Fontenelle Forest Nature Center for an Outdoor Event in early June 2005. The display also found its way to Union Pacific Headquarters. Brochures have been made available to Fontenelle Forest.
Ken and Doris Wenger family memorial donation. In early 2007 Doug Wenger contacted the OWC saying his family was interested in donating to the Club in memory of his parents. Board members decided to use this opportunity to purchase two high quality metal storage cabinets for the numerous OWC photo albums that were being kept at the Clubhouse. Wayne Lainof took charge, scouting local businesses and arranging purchase and delivery of the cabinets. They were delivered to the Clubhouse in July 2007 and albums were moved to their brand new mouse-proof homes.
Special Events Committee resurrected in 2005: Sandy Murdoch took the committee chairmanship in 2006 and produced two day trips and an overnighter. The day trips were to see the Sandhills Cranes in March 2006 and to see Ashfall State Historical Site in August 2006. There were several stops and points of interest on both day trips in addition to the main goal. The overnight was in June 2006.
Membership: Membership drops below 100 in 2005. The 2004 Membership Roster had 121 paid members, but dropped to only 97 members in 2005, and to 84 in 2006. This 30% drop in membership over a two year period caused serious cashflow problems for the OWC Board to deal with. Board members and committee chairmen responded. Dave Garrison persuaded the Omaha World-Herald sports section staff to include our Walks schedule in their weekly issue. Muriel Munchrath planned a contest designed to reward current members for recruiting new Walkers, kicking the contest off at the 2007 OWC Homecoming.
Walks: Summer Saturday Walks began 21 June 2003 with Dave Garrison's all-day event at Indian Cave State Park, and two weeks later Chuck & Trudy Lazure's walk in the Fontenelle Forest Wetlands. Thereafter we had at least one long walk each summer, plus most summers a second walk sometimes on Sunday or Wednesday. Wednesday Evening Walks began May 2006.
Rae Keogh's walks at Zorinsky Lake started September 14, 1997. The following year the Zorinsky Lake walk moved to April and became an annual event ending at Rae's house. In 27 April 2003 a 7.5 mile retrograde walk around Zorinsky was added. [Dave Garrison's attempt 12 Oct 96 for a Zorinsky 7.5-miler failed.] First walker there, Darrell Kellams, 25 Apr 93, followed by nearly twice a year walks at Zorinsky until Rae's annual event.
Website: Mark Thomas started work on an OWC Website during the year he was president (2003) and by 2005 the website included photo albums and e-mail services for OWC Members. In 2005 and 2006 more than 20 queries about OWC membership came to us through http://www.omahawalkingclub.org/. During 2007 Mark revamped the OWC website putting in many hours of personal time and effort to provide OWC with a link to the 21st Century world.
Business Cards: Mark Thomas printed off the first batch of OWC business cards during the year he was president (2003). In 2005 there was a new batch printed with "2005" in large numerals replacing the "2003" of the first batch. When those ran low, Mark printed more without a date since Muriel Munchrath kindly permitted her number (without her name) to be included on the cards even when she was no longer Chair of the Membeship Committee.
Shirts: In the Fall of 2006, the OWC Board asked Wayne Lainof and Dave Garrison to design and purchase more than a hundred T-shirts, polo shirts, and sweatshirts. Dave selected the 1985 Photo of the Year (taken by Eloise Evans) for the back of the shirts, and Wayne worked with the artwork and shirt manufacturers. The first run of the shirts was 125.
and tomorrow is only a vision,
But today well lived
Makes yesterday a dream of happiness
And every tomorrow a vision of hope.