History of Waldorf Park

The purpose of the Waldorf Park, German-American Club, then and now, is to promote good fellowship with a variety of social activities. The history dateline is from 1939.

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From THE SCRANTONIAN,
Sunday, December 3, 1939
By John Demuth

CLUBHOUSE OF GERMAN AMERICAN FEDERATION AT WALDORF PARK FINISHED AFTER 25 YEARS

WORK BEGAN IN 1914 WHEN ENLISTMENTS IN SERVICE CAUSED HALT... GROUP ORGANIZED IN 1906, MEMBERSHIP RUNS INTO THOUSANDS

Work was completed yesterday on the new clubhouse of the German – American Federation of Lackawanna County at its Waldorf Park, East Mountain. The cost of construction was approximately $ 15,000.00, and is modern in every detail.

Plans for this structure were prepared in 1914, but when the war broke out work was delayed and the membership was depleted through young men joining the Army and Navy. Old members of the group however, kept the Federation going, then known as the Waldorf Park Association intact. Today its membership runs into the thousands with 14 affiliated organizations in the county as members.

The clubrooms are 40 by 60 with every modern convenience. The structure which it replaces was originally built by the late Peter Stipp. This original structure consisted of but a rathskeller and dance pavilion.

Organized in May 1906, its first president was Fred Wagner, then owner and publisher of the German newspaper “The Wochenblatt”. In 1910, Henry Geiss was elected to the presidency and today retains the office of secretary of the group and historian. Mr. Geiss was one of the integral parts of the organization and managed to keep the organization intact. He was one of the two remaining charter members. William Bauer, former battalion chief in the fire department, is the other living charter member.

The plot were the new clubhouse was erected was purchased in parcel lots. At first 10 acres were acquired at a cost of $ 3,000.00 from the Lackawanna Iron and Coal Company. Later five acres were bought and two years ago, Helbing’s Park, adjoining land, was purchased. This gives the Federation 21 acres of land on which to develop.

Many improvements were made in the last five years, due to the energetic efforts of the officers and many of its members, who worked weekends to accomplish the improvements.

Joseph Greiser, who succeeded Frank Becker as president, the latter serving 17 years in that capacity, is responsible in a great measure for the success of the organization and for the new clubhouse. George Buttner, chairman of the building group, too, is entitled to praise for the effort he put forth in the construction. Many of its members contributed their service and others accepted the Federation’s bonds in payment of their labors.

The formal opening ceremonies of the clubhouse will probably be delayed until sometime in the Spring.

Officers who were recently nominated are president, Joseph Geiser; first vice president, Joseph Covelius; second vice president, Mrs. Anna Schroedel; recording secretary, Henry Geiss; assistant recording secretary, Fritz Lieblich; financial secretary, Albert Zimmerman; treasure, Gustave Fiene; trustees, Harry W. Haller, John Buttner, Minnie Karsh, and historian Henry Geiss. Two ex-presidents are living. They are Henry Geiss and Frank Becker.