A Venue for All Occasions
Throughout the 1940s, The Green Ridge Club continued to be a focal point for community events, even fielding a bowling team. The space was often rented out for various small group gatherings. In 1953, the building was sold and transformed into a catering venue, where it remains to this day, offering exceptional service for weddings, corporate events, and celebrations.
The Legacy of E.B. Sturges
E.B. Sturges was instrumental in the development of Scranton’s transportation system, introducing electric streetcars to the city in 1886. His system was recognized as the first in the United States to operate exclusively on electric power, with the streetcars illuminated by incandescent bulbs, setting a precedent for modern transportation.
Picture: The first Scranton Electric Trolley Car, captured on November 30, 1886, at the corner of Wyoming Avenue and Spruce Street in downtown Scranton, PA. E.B. Sturges founded this historic trolley system, named “The Scranton Suburban Railway.” This photo is of its first historic run.
Sources: scrantonhistory.wordpress.com/the-electric-city & thetimes-tribune.com
The Green Ridge Club History
Located in the historic Green Ridge section of Scranton, Pennsylvania, The Green Ridge Club has been a landmark venue since its establishment in 1901.
Early Beginnings
The origins of The Green Ridge Club date back to 1892 when it was founded as the Green Ridge Wheelmen at 1645 Wyoming Avenue, initially serving as a club exclusively for cyclists. The club began with just 14 original members but expanded to include non-cyclists after 1894.
Transformation and Growth
In 1902, thanks to a generous donation from member E.B. Sturges, the club headquarters was constructed on Wyoming Avenue, officially changing its name to The Green Ridge Club in 1906. The venue became a vibrant social hub, hosting a variety of events such as private gatherings, open houses, minstrel shows, card parties, and dances. The club members also engaged in friendly competition through a bowling league against other private clubs, with the original bowling lanes still existing today in the basement of the building.
