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The Columbia Club
The Columbia Club has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1983. The Club was first established in 1889 as the Harrison Marching Society to support the candidacy of General Benjamin Harrison of Indianapolis in his campaign for President of the United States.



Interesting Historical Facts about The Columbia Club

•	After Harrison won the election, the society decided to incorporate as a permanent organization and chose the name Columbia Club, based on the popular alternative name for America at that time.

•	Originally, all members of the new club were Republicans; however, today the Club includes members of both major political parties.

•	All Republican presidents since Benjamin Harrison have visited the Club, either as a candidate or as president.

•	The Columbia Club has occupied three buildings at its prominent Monument Circle location; the first was two stories, the second was five stories and the current Clubhouse – built in 1925 – boasts ten floors.

•	Local architects and designers created the Tudor-style building; it has a Germanic influence, similar to the local Athenaeum. A highlight of the Grand Lobby is the gas fireplace; note the elephant, a Republican symbol, on the front of the fireplace.

•	The windows in the front of the Club were inspired by those at Cambridge University. The architect wanted all buildings on Monument Circle – facing the war memorial – to have a reverent, respectful tone.

•	In 1983, the Columbia Club building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

•	Many important civic and business meetings have taken place at the Columbia Club. In 1909, the founders of the Indianapolis 500 met in a previous Clubhouse to discuss building the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. More recently, the secret negotiations to move the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis took place here.

•	The Columbia Club is home to wonderful collection of art and artifacts, including works by all of the Hoosier Group artists, including T.C. Steele and others. Steele was a Club member, and when he couldn’t pay his bills, he traded his paintings for dues.

•	The Club also houses historical and political memorabilia, featuring items from Hoosier Benjamin Harrison’s successful campaign for U.S. President in 1889, pieces of the Lincoln family china and more.

•	The Columbia Club is much like a small city, with several restaurants and bars, laundry service, a barbershop, shoe-shine stand, 18 different meeting rooms, a fitness center and many other amenities.

•	Many people are not aware that the Club includes a complete Fitness Center. Members enjoy free, unlimited usage of the fully-equipped Center, including weight room, cardio room, steam, sauna, whirlpool and exercise pool.

•	The Club is home to approximately 50 Indiana state legislators during the annual legislative sessions and plays host to many lobbyist events.

Related Links

Facts about Benjamin Harrison  Benjamin Harrison Presidential Home [www.presidentbenjaminharrison.org] National Register of Historic Places  Historic Hotels of America [www.historichotels.org/]