Polish Organizations at North Olean

A LITTLE HISTORY OF THE POLISH ORGANIZATIONS

WASHINGTON HALL
In November of 1909, a new clubhouse for a Polish organization was under construction. A contractor named Peterson built it of brick and cement blocks. It was an attractive building and would accommodate the various organizations of the Polish community.

On November 15th, a Sunday afternoon, the Polish societies of North Olean dedicated their new clubhouse that would be known as Washington Hall. Previous to the dedication, the societies, which were headed by the 43d Band, marched to the Armory. Here the Bayard Post, G.A.R., who acted as an escort, joined them. The line of March was formed, and marched back to the hall, amid the cheering of the jubilant Polish community and their friends. The parade proceeded down Union Street to North Olean in the following order, Patrolmen Councilman and Vollmer led the parade mounted on horses, the Marshals of the parade, the 43d Separate Company Band, next came a carriage carrying the speakers, followed by Bayard Post, G.A.R., with L. Y. Miller commanding. Two uniformed clubs with the commanding officers mounted made an impressive sight and last but not least, four of the branches of the Polish organizations brought up the rear of the parade. In all, there were about 175 men in line. The dedicatory services were greatly attended and the occasion was a red-letter day in the history of the local Polish societies.

JOSEPH BIELINSKI’S
NEW DANCE HALL ON ELM STREET
(DOM POLSKI)I believe that this was the Dom Polski Hall built by Joseph Bielinski, who had owned the saloon that once occupied the site of what is now the St. Stephen’s Club parking lot. This article appeared in the paper, “ Joseph Bielinski held a dance on May 29, 1916, in his new dance hall on Elm Street with the Keating Orchestra furnishing the music. It is a two-story structure, the first floor was used for dances and entertainment and the second floor for lodge rooms

On August 26, 1917, the Bielinski saloon was closed in order for the city to comply with the new liquor tax law, known as the Brown Law. At that time twenty of the city’s 55 saloons had to be closed to bring the number down to 35. Five saloons were closed in North Olean. (A fire destroyed the building that housed Bielinski’s saloon in 1924. In the late 1880’s it was known as Wm Diver’s saloon and hotel.)

The Dom Polski was a jivin’ place in 1938 for all the Jitterbugs of the North End group, known as the “O’Tooles Swing Club”. A swing session was held here from 8:30 p.m.until 12:30 p.m. Plans were made for a shag contest to determine the outstanding team in the city. This included entrants from all the swing organizations and independent dancers. Water Stavish and Charles Murawski received applications for this event as well as for membership in the club.

ST. STEPHENS LODGE NO. 1717I do not know the history of the St. Stephens Club but I do have a copy of a legal notice found in the newspaper dated October 1, 1935 stating,
“Notice is herby given that license CL 661 had been issued to the undersigned to sell Beer, Liquor and Wine, at retail in a Club, St. Stephens Lodge No. 1717 under section 102 A of the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at Dom Polski, 107 E. Elm Street, Olean, Catt., Co., N. Y. for on premises consumption.”
Walter A. Marowski, Pres.
313 E. Oak St.
Some years later the St. Stephens Club purchased property on Union Street, the site of their present location.

THE PULASKI CLUBThe Pulaski Club had its beginning when a group of men from the Transfiguration Holy Name Society began talking about a meeting place for themselves and other men in the Polish community, primarily in North Olean. With the help and inspiration of Fr. John Glazik, they began saving money and looking for property for the club. Their first meeting place was the old DOM POLSKI HALL on East Elm Street. They formed a club and received their charter on March 9, 1945 and thus began the Pulaski Club.

In 1951 money was saved and borrowed to buy the property and build on their site on North Union Street. In time, expansions and remodeling enhanced its growth.

The Pulaski Club has been and remains a vital part of the Polish community, The Church of the Transfiguration Community as well as the people of Olean. Who can forget their dances, fund raisers, dinners, Church events, clam bakes, tributes to the Bonnies, their famous ‘Pulaski Potatoes’ and Dingus Day celebration.

The Pulaski Club celebrated their 25th anniversary on October 28, 1973 and their 50th Anniversary on April 18, 1998.

SOME EARLY POLISH ORGAINIZATIONS
POLISH NATIONAL SOCIETY—BRANCH 359
Branch 359 of the Polish National Society was organized in Olean on March 27, 1897, with the following officers: Joseph Bielinski, president; Bartholomew Kubiak, vice-president; Stanley Kubiak, recording secretary; Adam Wojciechowski, financial secretary; Martin Sobchak, marshal and Lawrence F. Sadon, reporter. The society was organized for insurance and fraternal purposes and had a large membership of Americanized Polanders throughout the United States.

POLISH POLITICAL CLUBThe Polish Political Club was organized at North Olean on August 30, 1904, as an independent political club with 52 members. Frank Murdzia, president; E. V. Ellman, vice-president; W. J. Wind, secretary; John Malick, treasurer and Frank Kujawa, marshall.

ST THOMAS SOCIETYA new Polish clubhouse, belonging to the C. P. K., St. Thomas Society, a Polish organization, opened on Monday, July 5, 1915, on Avenue A. The building had been recently completed at the cost of $1500. The society was a prosperous one of about thirty members. The society held a dance on the opening evening with the Fitzgerald Orchestra furnishing the music.

NORTH OLEAN SOCIAL CLUBThe young men of North Olean organized the North Olean Social Club in June of 1912. It was comprised of twenty five members of the Polish community. They held a series of dances in the Z. P. R. K. Hall at the corner of Union and Franklin Streets. The first dance was held on June 10, 1912 with the Gorski Orchestra providing the music. The club president was F. J.Kujawa and M. J. Petski was the secretary and treasurer.

The club held their first annual dance on Janurary 27, 1913 at the clubhouse. The feature of the evening‘s entertainment was a masquerade ball along with favors awarded to the lady and gentlemen wearing the best costumes. Again the Gorski Orchestra provided the music.

This page has been visited

times.