Our History

The Northwest corner of Market Street and Second Avenue, now the site of the Conewango Club, was known to the old inhabitants of Warren as the John F. Davis corner. It was in a little white house, which stood on the corner that the Conewango Club held its first meeting in 1896.

Mr. Edward D. Wetmore, of the founders of the Club, had acquired title to the little white house and property. In consulting with Judge William E. S. Rice one day regarding this property, Mr. Wetmore tells how “… we decided then and there that Warren has passed the cracker-barrel stage and should have a gentlemen’s club, and that the little white house was suitable for such a clubhouse. We made a list of twelve men, and invited them to meet in the little white house a few evenings later. I tacked newspapers up on the windows and found soapboxes and nail kegs to serve as chairs. Mr. F. H. Rockwell was elected President; Mr. R. F. Van Doorn, Secretary; and Mr. F. E. Hertzel, Treasurer. Each man subscribed $125 to provide furniture and a billiard table. It was agreed that if after the first year it was founded, the Club did not fill a need in the community, the founders would charge off their subscriptions and end the enterprise…”

The Twelve Men – the Founding Members of the Conewango Club – who attended that first meeting described by Mr. Wetmore, were…

E. D. Wetmore, J. B. Mullen F. H. Rockwell, S. G. Allen, W. H. Filler, J. P. Jefferson, W. H. Allen, F. E. Hertzel, A. T. Schofield, W. E. Rice, W. A. Talbott, R. F. Van Doorn.