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| HISTORY
OF THE SALEM COUNTY SPORTSMEN’S CLUB The Salem County Sportsmen’s Club
originated shortly after World War II. A
small group of duck hunters met and formed a club called the Mallard Club. They
met in people’s homes, in social clubs, anywhere the dozen or so could
assemble. In 1947 they renamed their group as the Salem County Sportsmen’s
Club and were incorporated by the State of New Jersey. As the membership in this new club
grew, they decided they needed more space for their meetings. In the early
50’s they pooled their resources and bought the 33 acre Boardman Farm off US
Route 40 in Carney’s Point Township. The
Club meetings were held in the barn that was located behind the family
homestead. In the early 60’s the Club members were approached by contractors looking for fill dirt for the construction of the divided highway section of Route 40. With the funds they were paid for the fill dirt, they decided it was time to built a permanent Clubhouse for their members. As a side benefit of the excavation on their grounds for fill dirt, the “hole” continues to fill with water from natural springs under the ground. From this “watery hole” developed the 11 acre lake, now known as our Lake Hudson. In 1964 after several problems with original contractors who went broke and with the help of many friends, the original Clubhouse was opened. Charlie Sparks as the first President in 1947. As the club membership
grew and the years went past, the Directors were knowledgeable enough to lease
adjoining lands from the Dupont Company. The use of these lands, along with
their own 33 acres, provided a large area to develop. The Club members built a garage for
their vehicles, rifle and pistol ranges for the use by its membership, Skeet and
Trap ranges for the enjoyment of many, and provided the area now used by the
Scouting family. At the far end of the Dupont property where the land reached
the Salem Canal, they developed an area for picnicking which is now known as the
Charles D Sparks Picnic Grove. This area, which can hold up to 1500 people, has
been the home of many Clambakes, Chicken BBQ’s, local Police and Fireman
outings and family campouts. Currently it serves as the home of the Parent-Child
Camping Weekend. With the permanent Clubhouse came the
responsibility for a “Caretaker”. A
one-room efficiency apartment was included in the original building and member
Irv Hand became the first to live on the grounds. Ray Davidson, the current
“Live-In Custodian” became the on-site man when Irv moved to Florida. In
the early 80’s the building known to everyone as the “Pole Barn” and aptly
named the Glenn Young Pavilion, was erected and has become a gathering spot for
many during the warm weather months. Archery ranges were added for those members
who used that form of hunting. Membership grew and the need for
additional space again surfaced. In
1993 the Directors took the bold step of expanding the Clubhouse to almost twice
its original size. The Main Hall
and Kitchen were enlarged, a beautiful Bar and Captain’s Lounge was added,
Office facilities were developed and a full-size basement and workshop were
available for all the maintenance required for the Club to prosper.
The Caretaker’s facilities were enlarged and the former small 6-seat
bar became the Visitors cloakroom. The present Clubhouse facility was
dedicated in 1995 and serves as the premier Club in South Jersey.
With over 1600 families in its membership, and its continued commitment
to the original purpose of “Conservation of resources, Education of its
membership to preserve wildlife and Respect for the natural wonder of our
lands” ,this club has become a landmark in Salem County.
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