The Beachers Club was founded in 1914. Founding members of the club include two WWI veterans, Harvey (Hot Dog) Douglas and Reg Savage, and Moon from Ingersoll (who reportedly always brought a book to read but never got around to reading it). The tin covered building was located where the Sarnia streetcar turned sharply east near the Grandview (or Wees Beach) Hotel, just off Lake Huron.
On July 28, 1978, Red Wilson wrote a history of the Beachers Club in the Observer.
"The Club held no secrets. It was open for all the world to see. About June the front was lifted to make a sort of patio roof. The interior, festooned with pennants, was a landmark from its inception until it moved across the road into a new and more substantial building. The new headquarters were more modern, sophisticated and roomier than the old. But they lacked that touch of glamor of the old."
In material released for a reunion that occurred August 15, 16 and 17 in 1941, an itinerary promised sport, good meals, visiting hours (with a special tea where ladies were invited), and "... poker in the kitchen for the affluent and carefree -- chess or checkers for the serious." Attendees of this reunion were told to bring the following items:
- Pajamas - the regular regalia.
- Blankets enough for both sides of you.
- A pillow, too, if you must have it; don't bank on borrowing.
- One old white sheet for the ghost walk.
- Any musical instrument you toot or tickle.
- A disposition to let bygones be bygones and a hope for the continuance and dignity of the BEACHERS CLUB.
An official invitation accompanied that itinerary and was sent out to approximately sixty former members of the camp. It included notes from some men who had already RSVP’d for the event. Some of the comments included:
- Jerry Battrum, "I got my Ukulele all tuned up - bring your voice well oiled."
- Reg Savage, "If you boys would like a date - I still have the old book."
- Ray Miller, "I'll get out the old jalopy and just start something."
- Red Wilson, "Ahh, boys, please let me sleep!"
Red Wilson reminisces fondly in the Observer article mentioned above, "They were good days then."
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