Publisher Description

More than banquet halls, golf courses, and swimming pools, social clubs were a haven for businessmen, politicians, and community leaders, offering respite from public scrutiny. Defining Indianapolis, the clubs were stoic agents of power and segregation, providing clear historical snapshots of Hoosier pomp and circumstance. The clubs did more than produce Olympic swimmers, world-class golfers, and tennis professionals; they were Indianapolis s multigenerational playgrounds. There were the politics and business dealings at the Columbia Club and the Indianapolis Athletic Club, the golfing, tennis, and formality of Woodstock, Meridian Hills, and other country clubs, and the family fun in the sun at Riviera, Devon, and Olympia. These organizations offered more than magical summers with family and friends; they were the places to be seen."

Author Biography

Expanding from a foreword written by Franklin mayor Fred Paris and concluding with a chapter introduction by Franklin Heritage executive director Rob Shilts, authors Jim Hillman--a longtime Johnson County resident--and John Murphy explore Franklin's past through more than 200 rare images. Many of these photographs are from the archives of the Johnson County Museum of History. Hillman and Murphy previously collaborated on four Images of America series books: Indianapolis Social Clubs (2009), Indiana's Catholic Religious Communities (2009), Greenwood (2010), and Beech Grove (2011).

Review Text

Title: Indy social clubs offered more than magical summers Author: Staff Writer Publisher: The Southsider Voice Date: 4/15/09 Authors Jim Hillman and John Murphy will sell and sign copies of "Indianapolis Social Clubs" from 4 - 6 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Beech Grove Public Library, 1102 Main St. Their book covers various social clubs in the Indianapolis area and includes Beech Grove's Olympia Club. Their publisher describes the book as follows: "More than banquet halls, golf courses and swimming pools, social clubs were a haven for businessmen, politicians and community leaders, offering respite from public scrutiny. Defining Indianapolis, the clubs were stoic agents of power and segregation, providing clear historical snapshots of Hoosier pomp and circumstance. "The clubs did more than produce Olympic multigenerational playgrounds. There were the politics and business dealings at the Columbia Club and the Indianapolis Athletic Club; the golfing, tennis and formality of Woodstock, Meridian Hills and other country clubs; and the family fun in the sun at Riviera, Devon and Olympia. These organizations offered more than magical summers with family and friends; they were the places to be seen." The authors write from their personal experiences, as well as from the massive research they did into the social clubs. Murphy is the son of the Miramar Club's original general manager and a former club employee. Hillman was a competitive swimmer as a child at Riviera and is a historical author and instructor of sociology.

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