Tupper Lake Sportsmen’s Club, (Rod & Gun Club) celebrating Centennial
Commentary…
by Terry Clement
This year marks the 100-year anniversary of the local Sportsmen’s Club and leaders are planning to stage a celebration to commemorate the Centennial. The club was originally organized in 1925 by Dr. Glenwood M. DeLisser, along with several others. During this time, Mr. Delisser was also active in the local Rotary club and the Chamber of Commerce. Under his leadership, a strong bid was being made to promote Tupper Lake as a winter sports center, attracting people from many places including Canada. Several different activities and functions were part of the original planning.
This was the depression era and construction on the (currently existing) Clubhouse wasn’t completed until 1936. It was built by the “Works Progress Administration”. The “WPA” was established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Secretary of Commerce Harry Hopkins to provide jobs to the unemployed during the depression years. The town had acquired the 38-acre tract of land and the waterfront parcel on the north side of Lake Simond Road.
The clubhouse was constructed on the south side of the road, at an elevation of approximately 30 ft above the roadway. WPA Engineer, Henry Homburger and Construction Foreman, James King drew up the plans for the building. They had a crew of 32 men. Select hemlock and spruce logs were chosen for the one and a half story structure, which includes a 24’ X 30’ great room with an attached kitchen. A cloak room and lavatories were also included.
A common design of the era was to place the logs in an upright position, creating attractive inside and outside walls. A large stone fireplace was designed to provide heat for the building and a front porch was added that faced the lake and extended the entire length of the clubhouse. The clubhouse was officially opened on June 21st, 1936. Skeet shooting facilities were subsequently built on the lake front parcel. Though the “Rod & Gun” Club activities were largely centered around its name, other things were tried to promote snowshoeing and skiing with minimal success. Today, the clubhouse still stands prominently among the other buildings that have been added over the years; Dubbed “Nellie’s Roost”, it was dedicated to Nellie Staves who was an avid outdoor woman. She was an active club member who taught both Hunter and Trapper Education programs and was a past president of the club.
The indoor pistol (and small caliber rifle) range was constructed in 1962 and is dedicated to “Sherm Jones”. In recent years, many improvements have taken place inside the structure including an automated target return system, like those found in larger facilities and training centers.
The Tupper Lake Archery Club was established in 1989 and later merged with the Rod & Gun club. In 1998 the Archers constructed a (40’X80’) indoor archery range on the club grounds. This brought new energy and enthusiasm into the club. The Archers later added an attached (36’X64’) target storage area and garage. Except for a few scheduled events during the year, members can utilize the indoor archery range 24 hours a day, year-round. On the exterior, there are established archery targets ranging out to 50 yards with an adjacent shooting tower where archers can practice from an elevated position. There is also an established course that winds through the woods, presenting various, realistic shooting situations. A “League” shoots regularly (on Wednesdays) throughout the year. The “Mountain Challenge” event, occurring the last weekend each August, is the archers biggest annual event. Both the pistol building and the archery building are heated and have individual bathroom facilities.
The latest additions to the facility encompass a 26’ x 96’ structure featuring a spacious pavilion, a two-stall garage, and a storage area designated for club machinery and equipment. In 2022, a modern skeet shooting field was re-introduced to the facility and helped garner new interest in the local club. This addition helps the club be fully self-sustaining by providing a year-round source of revenue to cover their many expenses (Insurance, fuel, building and property maintenance, utilities, etc.). Skeet shoots are weekly (on Mondays) and run all year long. Nearly 100% of all the building construction, maintenance, upkeep and event coordination are done by a (relatively small) core group of volunteer members.
The organization's biggest event of the year is the “Northern Challenge”. This annual ice fishing derby occurs on the first Saturday in February and brings much revenue to the local community. This event largely helps sustain the club and its programs throughout the year.
The club is a Not-For-Profit organization and sponsors various programs each year including a youth archery program, firearms / hunter education programs, college skeet, etc. The club also donates annually to many worthy organizations including “Tunnel to Towers Foundation”, Wounded Warrior project”, “Camo to Camo”, local emergency services, NY Bowhunters, and sponsors a scholarship for a local college bound student. The club additionally sponsors an appreciation dinner for their neighbors.
The organization will be taking part in the annual Tupper Lake Field Days on July 19th and will sponsor an open house and membership opportunity at the facility (116 Lake Simond Road) on the following day, Sunday, July 20th, 11am-3pm. Tours of the facility, demonstrations, lunch, and other activities are planned.
New members are always welcome. The leaders are also seeking current and new members who may wish to become active volunteers or future leaders. (Youngest of the current management is 62). Volunteers would also be appreciated for the centennial celebration.
Basic membership is only $25 (+10 key fob deposit). Access to the indoor archery range ($15) and indoor pistol ranges ($20) can also be purchased with your membership. Memberships can be purchased at Mountain Market & Redemption (404 State Rt. 3) in Tupper Lake or by calling the Club Treasurer (518-410-7728), Secretary (518-304-3933), Tom (518-534-3973) or Dave (315-212-7081).
Dinner meetings are held on the last Thursday of every month (except October and November) with dinner at 6pm, meeting at 7pm. The Sportsmen’s Club, Archery Club and the “Northern Challenge” currently have their own Facebook pages, however, plans are in the works for a consolidation and website.