United Republican Club

The United Republican Club of the 25th Ward was established in 1880 and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2005. It is one of the oldest active Republican Clubs in America. Originally organized by and for the Republicans in the 25th Ward, the URC was the hub of Philadelphia political activities in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries.

The Club was founded by the most prominent Philadelphians of that time. Albert Webster, Colonel Thomas J. Powers and George L. Horn were members and famous Philadelphians for whom public schools in the 25th Ward were named.

Phillies Hall of Fame slugger Chuck Klein was a member and captain of the URC bowling team. Three-term Mayor William B. Stokley and Henry Ortlieb, whose family's brewery was located in nearby Northern Liberties, were active members.

At the time it was established meetings were held a few blocks away at 3026 Frankford Avenue. The Club purchased its current building at 3156-58 Frankford Avenue in April, 1904.

Over the years the URC has hosted Governors, Senators, Supreme Court Justices, celebrities and leaders from all walks of life. Past and current elected officials were members during their tenures and remained loyal after their service ended. Many members ran for office and successfully used the URC as a base of operation for their campaigns.

In 1992 fire devestated the Club. While many historic documents were rescued, many records of the Club's founding were destroyed. With the efforts and dedication of its members the Club was fully restored within months and many valuable artifacts were recovered.

One of the URC's most prized possessions is the Meehan Elephant Collection. Donated to the Club by the Meehan family after the death of William A. Meehan in 1994, the collection consists of hundreds of elephant replicas. Presented as gifts to Billy Meehan during his years as General Counsel to Philadelphia's Republican City Committee, these elephants are prominently displayed in places of honor at the URC.

The Club's most valuable possession is the 1902 Alexander Milne Calder sculpture of the URC's Secretary and Civil War Hero, Colonel Thomas J. Powers.

The Club commissioned Calder to create this work so it could be donated and placed in the nearby school named in Powers' honor. In 1988 the club petitioned the Court and successfully reclaimed the sculpture from the School District of Philadelphia when the school was scheduled for demolition. Today this magnificent national treasure is prominently displayed in a place of honor overlooking the activities of the Club. The Powers sculpture is one of only two busts known to have been done by Calder. The other resides in The Union League of Philadelphia.

Today the URC is a site of GOP events and a social meeting place for memebers and their guests.