The Kanaweola Bicycle Club

by Erin Doane, Curator

In the 1890s, the bicycle craze swept the nation. There were some 9,000 bicycles in Elmira alone in 1898. With a population of around 35,000, that was roughly one bicycle for every four people. Bicycles were relatively inexpensive, easy to operate, and a lot of fun to ride. It’s no wonder that they became so widely popular. The Kanaweola Bicycle Club was formed as a social club for bicycling enthusiasts in Elmira.

Kanaweola Bicycle Club at the Elmira Reformatory, July 4, 1895

In the beginning, the club’s activities were focused on cycling, as one would expect. Members would go on tours and daytrips to places like Watkins Glen, Corning, Big Flats, Pine City, and Millport. The club also hosted bicycle races where cyclists from around the region competed for prizes including sweaters and fancy hosiery. A race meet on Decoration Day in 1891 began with a parade of decorated bicycles that started at the Kanaweola clubhouse on West Gray Street. All wheelmen were invited to participate.

Kanaweola Club on an outing to Painted Post, June 6, 1897

While I’m not sure if the club ever accepted women as official

members, they participated in club activities.

The clubhouse at 214 West Gray Street had a shooting gallery in the basement and pool and billiard tables on the second floor. In 1899, the club decided to move their clubhouse to rooms in the Y.M.C.A. building on E. Market Street. That same year, they amended their constitution to limit membership to 300. They also raised membership dues by $1 and set dues for foreign members at $6 a year. In 1900, the club moved into the Realty Building on E. Market Street. The new clubhouse included a parlor, reading room, billiard room, and gymnasium.

Interior views of the Kanaweola Clubhouse, 1901

Clockwise from top left: parlor looking toward reading room;

parlor looking toward billiard room; gymnasium; billiard room

While cycling was a major activity for the club, in the winter, it was difficult and unpleasant to go on bike outings. To stay active, the club hosted weekly get-togethers. The newspaper is filled with announcements for “smokers” at the Kanaweola clubhouse. At a smoker “every member who is so inclined will bring his pipe and cigars will be found at the clubhouse.” On December 5, 1895, the club hosted a “tramp” smoker at which the club members were expected to dress in tramp or farmer costumes. Prizes were awarded for best makeup. In 1900, they even hosted a “ladies’ smoker.”

Kanaweola Bicycle Club “tramp” smoker, c. 1895

In the late 1890s, the club got involved in other sports beyond cycling. They fielded a football team, a basketball team, and an indoor baseball team. In 1901, they held a bowling tourney, and in 1907 boxing became very popular at the club. In fact, it was boxing that brought about the dissolution of the Kanaweola Bicycle Club. New leadership in the club decided to construct a stage and wresting ring in the gymnasium at the clubhouse and promoted professional boxing matches in the space. That made it impossible for members to use the gym for any other sports like basketball, handball, or wrestling. Poor decisions like that led to financial troubles which led to the sheriff closing the clubhouse and auctioning off the property in 1908.

Star-Gazette headline, March 11, 1908

One last bit of information: “Kanaweola” is said to mean “head on a pole.” It was the name of a Native American village at the junction of the Newtown Creek and the Chemung River. Legend has it that in the 18^th century, a tribal chief was found guilty of treason and his head was placed on a pole there to serve as a warning to others. 

Kanaweola Bicycle Club at Fitch’s Bridge, 1890s