Here in the midst of golf season, local historian Jim Wright reminds us of the origins of the area’s rich golfing resources.
1900, when the course was still known as
Homewood Country Club. (Photos provided by
the Homewood Historical Society.)
The first golf club established in our area was the Flossmoor Country Club, which was named the Homewood Country Club when it was officially chartered in October 1899.
The club was the brainchild of several Hyde Park businessmen enamored with the game of golf and convinced that the “south side” needed a club of its own situated along the Illinois Central rail line.
Construction was completed that year on the first clubhouse, a large two-story frame structure located just southeast of the present day intersection of Flossmoor Road and Western Avenue. This site was selected as it was the highest point on the property and had a commanding view of the rest of the course.
By April 1900, the Illinois Central extended suburban rail service to Illinois Street, now known as Flossmoor Road, and completed construction of a station they named “Flossmoor.”
Things were going well until lightning struck the clubhouse in May 1907, and fire completely destroyed the building.
A second clubhouse was built on the same site and was completed in October 1908. This brick and cement building was thought to be fireproof.
Contrary to the old adage, however, lightning did strike twice and the second clubhouse was leveled after the roof caught fire in a May 1914 electrical storm.
Hoping to prevent further trouble with Mother Nature, club officials built the third and present clubhouse about a half mile south of the original site, a move they haven’t regretted since this clubhouse was completed in 1916.
Jim Wright is a long-time member and officials with the Homewood Historical Society. He has written several books on local history, including “Homewood Through the Years.”
met the same fate as the first. It was destroyed by
fire in 1914.