Encyclopedia of Cleveland History: ROWFANT CLUB

The Haymarket area along Ontario Ave., ca. 1930. The facilities for the Gateway sports complex now occupy much of the site. WRHS.

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The Ironing Department of L.N. Gross Co., ca. 1930. WRHS

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ROWFANT CLUB - The Encyclopedia of Cleveland History

The ROWFANT CLUB (1892), located at 3028 Prospect Ave. is an association founded 29 Feb. 1892, whose members are interested in "primarily the critical study of books in their various capacities to please the mind of man." Membership is by invitation. The club was named for Rowfant, the home of Frederick Locker-Lampson (1821-95), near Crawley, Sussex, England. Locker-Lampson, a writer of light verse, was a leading book collector of his time.

In Oct. 1895 the club acquired its present premises, a home designed and built in 1838 for George Merwin by CHARLES HEARD† who built the FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (OLD STONE). The Rowfant Club maintains a library with an emphasis on papermaking, printing, and book production. Lectures are a regular part of the club's programs, generally bookish or cultural, in keeping with the interests of the club.

Last Modified: 22 Jul 1997 11:56:03 AM

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