With Ralph Bellinger as acting chairman, the first meeting of the club was called together in James Gordon’s real estate office on Airport Way, on Feb 12, 1940 with the following present as charter members: Morrie Vaulsteke, Leonard Thompson, Walter Searles, A.M. Clark, A.L. Sand, James Gordon Jr., Victor Balliauw, Ralph M. Bellinger, and James (Tex) Corporron, C (Babe) Traverso, Mel Ly’sne, Fred Schatterkirk, Lloyd Strander, and Henry Debels. The name “Georgetown Rod & Gun Club” was taken and the first slate of officers were: Ralph Bellinger (President); Morrie Vaulsteke (Vice President); Leonard Thompson (Secretary); and A.L. Sands (Treasurer).
During the following years, the members participated in fishing derbies in Elliott Bay, competing with the Evergreen Club for North and South end prizes.Since that time, the Club has held fishing parties, meetings of men’s service groups, Boy’s Clubs, youth hunter’s education classes and scouting events, sponsored community Easter egg hunts, youth and fishing events, and provided facilities for training of military and law enforcement agencies.
The Club was incorporated on May 1, 1941 with the first meetings being held at Gordon & Sons Realty. Since then, the Club has held meetings at many different places, including the VFW hall in Georgetown in 1963.
On May 24th, 1941, the Club held an essay contest , for girls and boys, on the “Origin of Georgetown”. Service work, the following years, included: a movie camera donation to the Georgetown School, Boys Club and Scout activities, and many others. The Club took a major role in the organization and construction of the Georgetown Boys Club Building, taking a major part in the fund-raising activities. The Clubhouse, since has been taken for an airport extension in 1957.
On August 11th, 1941, the Club held its first annual picnic at Lake Geneva. The first salmon dinner was held on November 8th, 1940, in the Masonic Temple. Ladies night dinners, dances, wild game feeds, and a Buffalo Dinner and Dance night were also held on a regular basis. The Club used to own trap grounds near Midway, but since then purchased 56 acres for a trap ground, rifle and pistol range, and picnic area.
This land is located east of the Flaming Geyser State Park Intersection, which is 1.6 miles south of Black Diamond on the Enumclaw Black Diamond Highway. The land was purchased in 1958.
Developments so far on the Club’s land include a 200-yard rifle and pistol range, a trap grounds which has five trap houses, and a fine clubhouse with a kitchen, and a club room. It was built in 1960 and our new storage building added in 1978. There is also a living area set aside for our caretaker at the entrance to our property. In 1985, a 100-meter range was added. In 1985 and 1986, a covered area for trap shooting was added.
In recent years, the Club completed the lighting of the trap grounds and the rifle and pistol range. In 1994 the first voice activated trap auto-pull system was installed. Through the volunteer efforts of its members, the Club continues to improve and expand its facilities. Activities include range development for varied shooting sports, youth programs for candidates of the Washington gun safety course, training affiliated with the Civilian Marksmanship program, pistol instruction, an annual turkey shoot, a Christmas party, and a July 4th family picnic