Outing Club

The Outing Club is located in the central part of Davenport, Iowa, United States. It has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977. It is a part of the Vander Veer Park Historic District, which is also on the National Register.HistoryIn the early 1890s the Rev. A.M. Judy of First Unitarian Church saw a need for a place for the young people of his congregation to gather for recreation and sporting activities. He enlisted the support of the Unity Club and they found that the estate of J.D. Brewster on Brady Street near Central Park, now Vander Veer Botanical Park, was available. The house would serve as a clubhouse and the grounds were large enough to support tennis and a variety of field sports. Citizens from the larger community expressed interest. In June 1891 subscriptions to participate in the club began and the required 300 were realized by July. The former Brewster residence was purchased and the club was organized.As the club grew, outdoor concerts and dances were held. A bowling alley and shooting gallery were added. A larger clubhouse was required and a Colonial Revival structure was built. It included dining rooms, smoking and billiard rooms, a reading room and a ball room. A fire destroyed the building in April 1905, but it was rebuilt and opened in July of the same year. The club has continued to grow over the years and it has expanded its facilities and activities.