Elm Grove Civics Association Inc.

Little is known of the beginnings of the Original Civic Group. We do know prior to 1925 a group of local men had organized a community club to provide civic, social, and moral support in Elm Grove for the community. It was decided that an organization of women would be an asset to the group.

In January 1925 several ladies met with the President and Vice-President of the community club to discuss plans for a Woman's division for community work. After weeks of planning a meeting was held in Dent's Hall on Main Street in Elm Grove. Every woman of the town was invited Mr. George Oldham acted as temporary Chairman and Mrs. Earl Geisy was acting Secretary.

On March 13, 1925 another meeting was held in Dent's Hall, this was the first meeting of the Elm Grove Woman's Club and 38 signed for membership and 27 paid their dues. The emphasis’s was placed on the club being a Civic Organization rather than for pleasure. Enjoyment was derived by being a service to the community, the first year there were 70 members. The color purple was chosen as their club color. This organization is still thriving today with about the same amount of members. Over the years they have been a great asset to the men’s group.

The men’s group continued to operate during the depression years; however we have nothing that's recorded of their work. With the call up to the Armed Service most of the younger men went off to serve our country. During the war years those men not called up, went on to form a local Civil Defense unit. With the end of WWII these men continued to meet as the Elm Grove Civics Association.

In July of 1947 the group applied to the State of West Virginia and was granted a charter. This charter is recorded and deeded at the court house in Wheeling. The men continued to work for the community and were a big influence on the sport of baseball. Elm Grove Civic teams have competed at all levels of local baseball. Although, the Civics do not field a team they do support the baseball organizations as a group.

In 1964, the men and woman joined together to canvas the area for donations to construct the Elm Grove Community Building, land was provided by the City of Wheeling at the corner of Sycamore Avenue and Davis Lane next to Patterson Ballfield. The first building was 25 feet wide by 50 feet long and work progressed with volunteer labor and when funds became available.

The Woman’s Club donated a sizable sum toward the completion of this first building. Over the years several changes were made to improve the use of the building. In the early months of 1998 it was decided at a regular meeting to investigate the possibility of increasing the size of the building. After several concepts it was finally decided on what you see here today.

On December 17, 1998 the City of Wheeling Zoning certificate was issued and on December 21, 1998 a contract was signed for the main building along with foundation and concrete work to begin. Property lease and building permits and a bank loan were all finalized. Building work started on May 3, 1999.

Bingo was started in 1982 and is the main source of charitable money. The West Virginia law requires us to return 75% of our take back to the players. After expenses are taken from the remaining 25% balance, the money left must be given to charity within a year. None of the money is used to benefit the members.

The Elm Grove Civics in 1999, started to take in woman as members. The Elm Grove Civics Woman’s Club is independent to the Men’s Club. Membership was $10 per year for all citizens in good standings over the age of 18.
Membership has changed to $15.

Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 7:00pm and the public is invited to attend.