Princeton Tower Club - History

History

In the spring of 1902, based on the idea of four sophomores, John Lee '04, Henry Pogue '04, Otto Wolff '04, Conway Shearer '04, and Frank "Pop" Little '03 led the formation of a new upperclass eating club. In April, a stake of $400 was placed to ensure the secure formation of the club the following year.

In September of the same year the Princeton Tower Club was formed in the old Monastery Club on University Place, across the university from its current location. It was composed of 13 members of the senior class and 13 juniors. During that year, the club hoped to move to a much coveted plot on Prospect Avenue, but settled for the Gulick House on Olden Street. Gulick was also known as the "Incubator" because it had served as a first home for a number of the infant eating clubs. After one term in the Incubator, Tower purchased a plot of land from the Cottage Club and, in September 1904, moved to a new home at 89 Prospect Avenue. Seven years later, Tower moved to its current location at 13 Prospect Avenue.

Under the leadership of Tower, an Inter-Club Council was formed to address issues involving all of the Princeton eating clubs. Tower also led the formation of the Princeton Prospect Foundation, which enables educational opportunities on "The Street." In 1971, Tower became one of the first clubs to accept women.