Honoring our Fine History

Two years after the Civil War ends and Oregon's population blossoms to 90,922, the name "Arlington Club" is formally adopted by its 35 founders. The Club is officially established as a social club, where members "could fraternize for mutual enjoyment and relaxation" and "provide a meeting place for discussing their own and Portland's destiny." The reason for choosing "Arlington Club" as the name remains a mystery despite many avidly asserted competing theories. However, all agree that the old English nomenclature meaning the "finest" or the "highest" is appropriate to the Club's character.

The (approximately 100) founding members file articles of incorporation for "Arlington Club," hold an organizational meeting, adopt bylaws, elect officers, and begin the Club's official existence as a non-profit corporation in 1880. The members move into their first formal clubhouse, leasing space in the property known as the J.C. Ainsworth House located at Third and Pine.

In February 1882, the previously adopted constitution and bylaws are authorized, engrossed, and printed. On the second Saturday in December, the first Annual Meeting of the Club is held, with the Club regaling its members with "supper, champagne, and cigars." The meeting has been held on that date ever since.

At the Annual Meeting in 1887 the members adopt a resolution that they may invite friends, including ladies, to the club (despite the rule against allowing women in the club) "every Wednesday evening for four successive weeks in May of 1887 and that on those occasions the members would refrain from smoking."

A motion passes at the Annual Meeting to acquire property and build a permanent club house in 1888.

The Club's members form the Arlington Club Building Association in 1892, which builds new quarters located at West Park and Alder streets. The building includes a four-lane bowling alley, billiard room with four tables, coffee shop, dining room, library, and reading room. In the interest of economy, the members decide to turn off the gas lights in the bowling alley at midnight on Saturdays. Women are formally permitted to enter the clubhouse to attend the reception on occupation of this location

Membership in the Club is limited to 400 regular members, with an entrance fee of $200; dues are $7.50 per month. In 1908, the current location for the clubhouse on Park and Salmon streets is purchased for $55,000. The clubhouse is designed by members Ion Lewis and William Whidden. The building is officially opened in 1910; The Oregonian reports the price tag at above $105,000 with the land (the actual cost is above $254,000). Ladies are again permitted to attend the formal dedication dinner that November.

Long-time club member Bishop Dagwell moves into the Club in 1936 and lives there until his death in 1963. The club honors his legacy by naming the main floor and bar area after him in 2008.

The members assemble at Waverley Country Club on July 14, 1938, for what will become the Annual Golf Tournament. The event continues to the present day as one of the most venerable golf tournaments in Oregon, and it has been held every year except 1942, 1947, and 2020. 

The Club officially receives acknowledgment of "not-for-profit" status with the Internal Revenue Service in 1960. 

The 100-Year Celebration Event is held in 1967 at the clubhouse and women are invited to attend. The book "Arlington Club and the Men Who Built It" is published and given to Club members.

At the annual golf tournament in 1977, President Charles Wentworth, Jr., duplicates the feat of his father 27 years earlier recording a hole-in-one on the 16th hole at Waverley Country Club, wearing a top hat and tails (in 1950 the theme was "Most Outlandish Attire"). The amazing event is chronicled in Ripley's Believe It or Not," and is currently memorialized in the Golf Champion's Room. In 1950, as he stood on the tee at the 9th hole at Waverley, Charles' father as President had bet "$20 a man" that he would make a hole-in-one – they all paid!

In November 1977, the first Annual Board Retreat is held in the desert at a retreat in Borrego Springs, California, and the mystique of that event is born.

The first Toastmasters meeting is held in 1979 with Diarmuid O'Scannlain elected as the first president. Toastmasters continue to meet every Thursday morning to this day. Arlington Club's chapter is the largest and oldest Toastmasters group in Oregon.

Arnold Palmer comes to Portland to play in the U.S. Senior Open held at Portland Golf Club in 1982 and speaks to 250 Arlington Club members at Tuesday Club at the invitation of Club President Norm Wiener. Twenty-seven years later, on the occasion of Norm's 90th birthday, Arnie (who turned 80 on that same September 10) sends Norm a letter of birthday greetings. The letter is on display in the Golf Champion's Room.

Club members vote overwhelmingly to allow women to join the club in 1990 and the first women are admitted in March 1991.

The first Holiday Gala is held in 1994, and the tradition continues today as one of the most popular events on the Club calendar.

The popular affinity group concept is formally adopted in 1999 and continues to thrive. Early groups included Toastmasters, Aviators, Wine, Cycling, and Motorcycling.

Portland community leader Gail Achterman becomes the first female member of the Board of Directors in 2001.

The process of recording and gathering oral histories of the Club from prominent members commences in 2003, and that process continues today through the work of the History Committee.

"Arlington Club – Where Leaders Meet" is published and presented to all club members in 2007.

The Clubhouse renovation is completed in 2008 at a cost of $2.3 million, Dagwell's is named, the library is moved to the first floor, and a celebratory event is held.

In 2010, Helena Barbey Lankton is elected as the first female president in the Club's history. The 100th anniversary of the Clubhouse is celebrated with "The Party of the Century."

The Heritage Foundation is established in 2013 as a nonprofit 501(c) (3) entity for the purpose of preserving the history and physical structure of the Club. A brewer's license is obtained – making Arlington Club the first private club in the country with that distinction.

The club celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2017 with a gala party at the Portland Art Museum for 300 members and guests who dine, dance, and recognize the amazing history of our membership.

In the late 2020s, the club continues to modernize and protect its clubhouse infrastructure by rebuilding the sidewalk bordering the building and replacing the roof and HVAC unit. The club also starts the process of updating the fourth-floor overnight accommodations.

In March 2020, the club is forced to close its daily operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The club leadership and staff skillfully navigate this worldwide crisis by offering takeout meals and virtual affinity group meetings.

The club emerges from this challenging time in 2022 by resuming regular operations and increasing membership.