Belmont Manor Country Club

The Belmont Manor Country Club was a membership club located on the west side of Youngstown-Kingsville Road, across from Squaw Creek Country Club. The property consisted of 162 acres from the former Silas Shook estate. The club was organized and operated by the Manor Club Corporation of Youngstown and was promoted as an opportunity for everyday people to enjoy country club activities without the financial burden.

The large house on the property was remodeled into a clubhouse, and a barn was constructed to house showers, lockers, and a dance pavilion. The grounds featured two 9-hole golf courses, tennis courts, a trap shooting club, quoit courts for men, a playground for children, and croquet courts. Indoor amenities included dining rooms, lounging rooms, smoking rooms, reading and writing rooms, and areas for chess and checkers. The property also offered a lagoon and pool, as well as skating and sledding during the winter months. Membership additionally included facilities for hosting luncheons, bridge parties, teas, and other social gatherings.

An announcement of the upcoming club appeared in the May 3, 1925, edition of the Youngstown Vindicator:

Myron Messenger Miller (FG) was the operator of the Belmont Manor in 1929. [1]

In 1930, George Nabholtz, 1929 Buhl Farm Public Links Tournament Champion, was a golf pro at the club.[2]

Belmont Manor did not go without its troubles. In 1927, 14 year old William Russell McQuaid was injured at the club while playing with a pistol. He later died from lock jaw as a result of tetanus. In 1939, the club was summoned before the state liquor control commission for a Sunday alcohol sale that had occurred.[3] As a result of the infraction, its liquor license was suspended for 30 days.[4]

In 1941, the club’s liquor license was revoked after it was found to have sold alcohol on Sundays to non-members and whiskey for off-premises consumption.[5]

In 1934, plans were announced for improvements to the golf course and the expansion of the club.

The club was referred to the Nu-Belmont Manor by at least 1953.

In 1953, the Nu-Belmont Manor became the center of attention when state liquor agents raided the club during a “benefit” party held for robbery suspect John “Tar Baby” Millovich (FG), who had recently been released on bond. The event, reportedly organized by district gamblers, was intended to raise funds for his legal defense. However, as no gambling equipment was found on the premises, no arrests were made.[6]

Throughout the years, many community organizations and groups met at the club. The Vienna Booster Club was known to have banquets there. The Warren Harding School Glee Club held a dance there in 1926.[7] The Vienna High School junior class hosted a dinner for the seniors at the club in 1926[8] and 1927.[9] Vienna High School alumni congregated there for a dinner in May 1926.[10]

The Niles Exchange Club held its annual picnic there in 1926, [11] and the Warren Club hosted a dinner event there in 1927 where 14 tables of men and women played the card game, bridge.[12] The Warren Kiwanis hosted their annual stag party there in 1928 where members assembled for games of horseshoe, golf, and baseball.[13] The E. Z. Bridge Club held a dinner dance and bridge party at the club in 1930.[14] St. Vincent de Paul Church held its first anniversary of the founding of the church there on August 25, 1935.[15]

It was also the regular meeting place for the VFW Post 1742. The Ladies Auxiliary to the VFW Post 1742 also met at the club and hosted a public card party at the Nu-Belmont Manor on June 4, 1955.[16] 

The property was purchased around 1974 by Warren “Sonny” Vens, who demolished the existing structure and built what would later become the Valhalla Racquet Club.

Contributed by Christine Novicky