William Woolhouse, Frank Combs, and Paul Besson (former Manager, Chef, and Maitre d’hotel of Wykagyl Country Club) merge their talents and resources to purchase the William Iselin estate; 11 acres on Davenport Neck formerly known as “The Anchorage”.
The Iselins established several palatial homes, Davenport Club is the lone survivor. They were very philanthropic and civic-minded. Their wealth created the first bank, a park, a private school, and helped develop some of New Rochelle’s residential areas in addition to paying for the legal defense when the town or village needed it.
Our founders had to secure permission
– from the city of New Rochelle to convert the existing building into a club house and to use the premises as a beach club.
– the War Department in Washington, D.C. to place sand fill for a beach
and they had to file in the Department of State of New York for the Certificate of Incorporation of the Davenport Club.
May 30, 1941 Memorial Day Dinner the informal opening was held. A 5-course dinner was offered for $1.25
The formal opening was held Saturday, July 26, 1941 with a steak barbeque on the lower lawn of the club grounds attended by approximately 325 members and guests.
