Knickerbocker Club - History

History

The origins of The Knick began with the Union Club of the City of New York, considered the first gentlemen's club in New York City(or at least the oldest currently in existence). Starting during the Civil War, including in response to rather treasonous sentiments of their fellow members, various members of the Union Club left to form other private clubs, including the Union League Club of New York, and in 1871 those who thought the Union's admission standards had fallen left to form the Knickerbocker Club.

By the 1950s, urban social club membership was dwindling, in large part because of the movement of wealthy families to the suburbs. In 1959, the Knickerbocker Club considered rejoining the Union Club, merging The Knick's 550 members with the Union Club's 900 men, but the plan never came to fruition. This was fortunate, as there had been much fretting over what colours to include in the re-united club's ties (winter and summer patterns) and hat band, as well as what nickname to use (the leading contender was "Knickion").

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