Article from the Poughkeepsie Journal
Published July 21, 2015
by Anthony Musso
Eleven years before the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club on South Hamilton Street in the City of Poughkeepsie was established in 1890, the sport was played on private courts that existed on the property of several prominent local residents. In 1879, a group of tennis enthusiasts formed the Outdoor Club, first using a court built on the Harvey G. Eastman estate (now Eastman Park) and then on a lot they leased on the northeast corner of Montgomery and Market streets.
Two years later, John I. Platt, publisher of the Poughkeepsie Daily Eagle, erected a tennis court for his children and their friends behind his townhouse at 10 Eastman Terrace. It saw extensive use as the game attracted new enthusiasts. In 1883, tennis players that used Platt’s courts approached the Outdoor Club, proposing that the two entities merge.
In April 1890, at their first meeting at Platt’s house, members voted to name it the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club. Additional courts were laid out to the rear of the Eastman Terrace townhouses and local librarian John C. Sickley was elected its first president. The club soon faced challenges. The growing popularity of tennis in Poughkeepsie motivated many residents’ interest in joining the private club. Simultaneously, the property the club’s courts occupied was being considered for development. In search of new property, E. N. Howell approached club officials with a proposal to lease a portion of his property on South Hamilton Street, for the sum of $1 a year. The agreement also stipulated that members could build a clubhouse there. Once approved, the lease was drawn up. To raise money for the construction of the clubhouse, members — which had increased to 150 — held fundraising events and also staged three sold-out performances of Spielkartenfest at the Collingwood Opera House (today’s Bardavon 1869 Opera House) in February 1892. All members worked at the dance recital.
When the new tennis courts and clubhouse were completed, tournaments attracted large crowds to observe local talent such as Ellen C. Roosevelt, the 1890 America tennis champion, and her sister Grace, who joined Ellen to become the ladies double champions that year. On Sept. 28, 1893 tragedy struck when the clubhouse was destroyed by fire. Because Howell refused to sell the property to the club and due to members’ reluctance to continue to lease it, the search for a new home began. Luckily, a parcel located directly across South Hamilton Street was not only well suited for their purpose but was also for sale. Lacking funds to purchase the property, the club agreed to lease it for six years, upon which it would purchase the land for $8,000. A new clubhouse that featured a large dance hall, dressing rooms, showers, restrooms and a kitchen was erected soon after. By acquiring surrounding parcels, the tennis complex expanded.
In September 1946, 336 spectators purchased tickets to attend an exhibition match between professional touring pros, including Bill Tilden, Fred Perry, Vinnie Richards and Frank Kovacs. Six years later a swimming pool was added to the property.“ G. Gordon Liddy, who married a Poughkeepsie girl and became assistant district attorney here, joined the tennis club and still remains a non-resident member to this day,” past club President Rocco Staino said.
In 1960, the club hosted its first Junior Davis Cup matches. “The Junior Davis Cup was designed to promote tennis and to bring young college students to play at the competition,” said Natalie Davis, who at 91 is the oldest active playing club member. “It was very expensive to stage and we had local companies and professionals sponsoring it. “The members housed all the players and officials associated with the competition. We finally had to end our affiliation with it when we could no longer afford to finance it.” Now, 125 years old, the Poughkeepsie Tennis Club still thrives and is the 25th oldest tennis club in the country. It is at 135 South Hamilton St., Poughkeepsie.
-Anthony Musso, The Poughkeepsie Journal, July 21, 2015.