Detroit Yacht Club
Website | www |
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The Detroit Yacht Club (DYC) is a private
DYC is a member of the Detroit Regional Yacht-racing Association (DRYA).
History
The club was founded by Detroit sailing enthusiasts in 1868.[1] The first Yacht Club buildings, a small clubhouse and boatshed, were constructed in the late 1870s at the foot of McDougall Street, just south of Jefferson Avenue. In the early 1880s, the members were divided over the club's growing social activities, and in 1882, one group broke away to form the Michigan Yacht Club. The remainder elected James Skiffington Commodore (the club's title equivalent to the "President" of other recreational and social organizations) in 1884.[1]
The original
In 1923, the present-day clubhouse was dedicated; its construction had cost more than one million dollars, the work of architect
In 1946, all bonds had been paid, and the club was debt-free. The club's women formed the first women's sailing organization in the country and raced the club's catboats. During the next decade, dining facilities would be expanded, and theater-quality projection equipment installed in the ballroom, where Sunday evening screenings became a regular feature of club life. There has recently been an effort to bring back Sunday night movies.[1]
During the 1960s, an outdoor, Olympic-size swimming pool was added, and the West End docks were built, increasing the number of boat wells to over 350. The DYC has long been a symbol of privilege and exclusivity. Up until the 1970s, Black applicants were routinely rejected, until psychiatrist Dr. Leonard Ellison filed a lawsuit, and became the first Black member.
More recently, the club added additional facilities like a fitness center and opened the Bitter End lounge area to allow for women to enter. Before the restoration, the Bitter End could only be accessed through the men's locker room. The newly restored Bitter End is also used for hosting small parties.
In 2018, the Detroit Yacht Club celebrated its sesquicentennial (150th) anniversary. Raymond W. Batt Jr. was elected to serve as the Commodore of the Detroit Yacht Club during the sesquicentennial year. [2]
Clubhouse
Detroit Yacht Club | |
Coordinates | 42°20′56″N 82°58′25″W / 42.34889°N 82.97361°W |
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Built | 1924 |
Architect | George D. Mason |
Architectural style | Mediterranean Revival |
NRHP reference No. | 11000309[3] |
Added to NRHP | May 25, 2011 |
The Detroit Yacht Club clubhouse was designed by architect
Facilities
- Racquetball Courts
- Indoor and Outdoor Pools
- Outdoor Hot Tub
- Outdoor Tennis courts
- Bocce Ball Court
- Volleyball Court
- Indoor and outdoor restaurant
- Marina for over 300 boats
Annual events
- Officer's Ball (Often called Commodore's Ball)
- Vice Commodore's Ball (Also called Clean-up Day)
- Memorial Day Celebration
- Hydroplane Racing Weekend
- Venetian Weekend
Groups within the club
- The Outriggers
- The Pelicans
- Metro Club
- The Flying Scots
- Ski Club
- Garden Club
- Sea Serpents
- Kayak Club
- Rod and Gun club
- The Voyagers
- The Seagulls
- DYC Business Networking group
- DYC Swim Team (MICSA League)
Notable members
- Gar Wood(former Commodore)
- Edsel Ford
- Horace Dodge
- Charles Kettering
- Gus Schantz
- Fred Fisher
- Robert Oakman
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Detroit Yacht Club - History". Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ^ dyc.com
- ^ "WEEKLY LIST OF ACTIONS TAKEN ON PROPERTIES: 5/23/11 THROUGH 5/27/11". National Park Service. June 3, 2011.
- ^ ISBN 1-60354-021-0
- ^ ISBN 0-8143-3120-3
- ISBN 0-7385-2315-1