Phoenix Club
Newport, Kentucky
In the late 1800's and early 1900's Covington and Newport had serious air quality problems from all of the coal and wood burned in river boats, trains, homes, factories and businesses, so there sprung up any number of small resorts outside of the city.
One of these was Phoenix Grove. It was located at what is today the junction of River Road and Rt. 8. You may know the location as Brent, or you may know it as where I-275 crosses the Ohio River. In the era before there were dams on the Ohio, there was a wing dam or levee at this location. It's purpose was to channel the river waters to create easier navigation.
Phoenix Grove was established c. 1889, but it remained a private resort until 1906. The Phoenix Club retained the services of the steamer Bonanza in the summer of 1906 to bring patrons out from the city, and renamed itself the Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club. By 1919, most of the original owners had died, and, in decline, the club elected to disband. The land would be sold to the US government later that year so that the Corps of Engineers could erect a lock and dam on the Ohio.
The folks who originally established and ran the Phoenix Club also held some land further up river, at a place where there were lots of Silver Poplar Trees. They called it Silver Grove.
The above information came from Northern Kentucky Views.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 5 May 1903, page 5
The Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club, one of the most popular organizations in Newport, will give another big outing at Glen Park (Heibers) Sunday May 17. The club has become well known for its outings. It has been established as an annual affair, and thousands who have attended in the past look forward to the event as one of the biggest times in the season. The C&O will run special trains that day from Newport.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 13 May 1903, page 5
On next Sunday occurs one of the biggest events of the summer in
Newport, the Phoenix Club's outing at Glen Park. Special trains will leave
Newport during the day to the grounds over the C&O. The committee in charge has
arranged for a splendid time for the guests.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 17 June 1903, page 5
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club, one of the best known organizations in Campbell County, went into camp at Glen Park, on the Ohio River Tuesday. The club has quite a name for the hospitality shown its guests.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 9 September 1903, page 5
John Kloecker, of Wiedemann's Brewery, took about 20 guests to the Phoenix Club camp Wednesday for an outing.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 7 April 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club of Newport, has elected the following; President A C Kessler; Vice President, Peter Bohart: Secretary, Gus Brandt; Treasurer, Charles Krinn; Captain Louis Hansemann; Sergeant at arms, Joe Kuehne.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 16 April 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club, a prominent organization in Newport, purchased the summer resort Silver Grove, opposite Coney Island, Friday afternoon. The deal was consummated by City Treasurer Edward Kreiger, County Assessor William Lohstroh, Harry Benning and Gus Brandt.
The property belonged to the Gorman heirs and is on the line of the C&O Railroad, containing about 16 acres. The amount paid was $4000 cash. There are a clubhouse, dancing pavilion, cottage and several smaller buildings on the grounds. It is the intention of the club to start improvements at once for a summer resort for the members and their families.
The club membership is limited to 40 and stock will be issued among them for the purchase made on Friday. A portion of the grounds will be improved for private parties, to be used as picnic grounds during the summer months.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 4 May 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Club gave a big banquet to their friends following the meeting in Newport Tuesday night. A large gathering was there and the evening was an enjoyable one.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 13 May 1904, page 7
Newport will be deserted on Tuesday by the young people., the occasion will be the Phoenix Club's outing at Glen Park, an annual event that is looked forward to with pleasure by hundreds.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 15 September 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Club, Newport, has arranged to enjoy country life until far into the autumn. The tents have been taken down but the clubhouse has been put in order. Sunday Sept 25, there will be a barbecue and burgoo.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 22 September 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Club will give big barbeque at their grounds next Sunday and have arranged with the C&O Railway Company for trains to leave 7:45 am and return at 6 pm. The popular Newport club anticipates a good time.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 20 May 1905, page 3
Grand Outing and Picnic Given by the Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club at Phoenix Grove, Sunday, May 21, via C&O Railroad, 14th Season Union Music. Tickets 25 cents. Good Accommodations Guaranteed.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 14 July 1905, page 5
The Phoenix Club of Newport will have their opening day at camp Sunday, July 16 at Phoenix Grove. Trains leave at 7:45 am.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 22 November 1905, page 3
An attempt is being made in Newport by Cincinnati amusement people, to get possession of old Silver Grove, now owned by the Phoenix Club of Newport. Several conferences have been held recently The promoters want to lease the grove for two years with the privilege of renewing the lease for eight more. The names of these men and who they represent will be kept quiet until the deal is made.
Silver Grove is on the Ohio River, opposite Coney Island and has been a favorite picnic place for years. The Grove is larger than Coney Island. It is probable if the lid is put down on Sunday amusements in Cincinnati and Hamilton County by the new administration Silver Grove will be converted into an amusement place.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 9 April 1906, page 5
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club, Newport, celebrated its fifteenth anniversary yesterday at Phoenix Park. A feature of the celebration was the presentation of a silver loving cup to the club by Fred Langenecker. A big dinner was followed in due course by a bigger supper and the celebration was commemorated by a group of photographs.
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Kentucky Post, Saturday, 16 April 1904, page 5
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club, a prominent organization in Newport purchased the summer resort Silver Grove, opposite Coney Island, Friday afternoon. The deal was consummated by City Treasurer Edward Kreiger, County Assessor William Lohstroh, Harry Benning and Gus Brandt. The property belonged to the Gorman heirs and is on the line of the C&O Railroad containing about 16 acres. The amount paid was $4000.
The club membership is limited to 40 and stock will be issued among them for the purchase made on Friday.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 19 April 1906, page 3
Phoenix Grove, a Campbell County summer resort on the Ohio River opposite Coney Island, which has been run as a private resort for the use of the Phoenix Club members of Newport, will this season be thrown open to the public. The place will be opened Sunday, May 27, by the Phoenix Club members, who give their annual outing on that day. The steamer Bonanza has been engaged by the management and will make three trips from Cincinnati on the opening day.
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Kentucky Post, Thursday, 26 April 1906, page 5
The marriage of George Eicher and Miss Katherine Kipp was solemnized last evening at St Johns German Protestant German Church, Newport. About 75 members of the Phoenix Hunting Club attended the reception.
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Kentucky Post, Monday 28 May 1906, page 5
Robert Loehr, driver of a team and occupants were bruised considerably by the vehicle overturning. The runaway occurred two miles south of Newport and was caused by the horses becoming frightened at a passing automobile. Loehr was badly bruised and Miss Brown was cut about the face. Harry Cottingham received a bad cut on the side of the head. The party was en route home from the Phoenix Club picnic at Phoenix Grove.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 29 May 1906, page 5
Bowling Talk-Bellevue; The Bellevue Loops were defeated by the Phoenix Club.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 13 August 1906, page 5
Yesterday was ladies day at Phoenix Grove and over 200 families were the guests of the Phoenix Club of Newport. The club has a membership of about 40, comprising prominent business men and officials of Campbell co. The days festivities would up with one of the club's celebrated fish suppers.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 11 September 1906, page 5
The annual barbecue of the Phoenix Club Newport will be held Sunday, Sept 23 at Phoenix Grove. The members have arranged a find program and the affair is expected to surpass all former outings given by the club.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 24 September 1906, page 5
The members of the Phoenix Club, Newport, entertained their friends yesterday at their camp on the Ohio River. The occasion was the close of the camping season and a dinner was served to the invited guests. A large number of Newport people were present.
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Kentucky, Tuesday, 15 January 1907, page 3
"For God's sake send assistance at once! I'm in danger from the flood." pleaded William Stoeckle, keeper of the big clubhouse at Phoenix Grove, on the Kentucky side, opposite Coney Island, to members of the club in Newport. Phoenix Grove was formerly Silver Grove and ever since the Phoenix Club got control of it, Stoeckle has had charge of the clubhouse and grounds during the winter months. Arrangements were made to send a boat up the Ohio to rescue Stoeckle.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 12 April 1907, page 13
A match ball game between the Star Club and Double Nut Club is billed for Sunday afternoon on the ground of the Phoenix Club at Silver Grove. The game will be followed by a chicken dinner.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 23 September 1907, page 5
William Brandt of Eleventh and Orchard st. Newport member of the Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club was injured at the club's outing yesterday at Phoenix Grove. Brandt was cutting bread and accidentally got his left thumb under the blade.
The Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club of Newport wound up its annual camping season yesterday with a barbecue. It was a big day for the politicians of Campbell co. as nearly every candidate on both the Republican and Democratic tickets for the November election was out on the grounds.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 27 November 1907, page 5
City Jailer Ben Ploeger is to be the next Chief of Police of Newport. Mayor-elect Krieger's confirmation was made last night at the banquet of the Phoenix Club held at the Heidelberg. The incoming Mayor is one of the founders of the Phoenix Club, one of Campbell co's foremost hunting and fishing organizations. Their club grounds, opposite Coney Island, have been the scene of many notable gatherings the past two years.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 19 May 1909, page 4
Grand outing and picnic given by the Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club at Phoenix Grove, via C&O railroad Sunday, May 23. Meal service at clubhouse. Tickets 25 cents. Trains leave Fourth & John sts. Cincinnati at 9 am and 1 pm, stopping at Covington, Newport, Bellevue and Dayton. Returning leave Phoenix Grove at 6 and 8 pm.
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Kentucky Post, Friday, 16 September 1910, page 12
A change has been made in the arrangements for the big barbecue to be given next Sunday by the members of the Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club at their grove. The special train at 7:30 am in the morning will leave the Grand Depot, instead of the Fourth st. Depot.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 19 April 1911, page 5
The Phoenix Club will have its annual picnic at Silver Grove Park May 21.
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Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 5 September 1911, page 7
The members of the Phoenix Club will give a barbeque and burgoo social on Sunday, Sept. 17, at Phoenix Grove. Burgoomeisters Kennedy and Roberts will have charge of the eatables. Automobiles will leave every hour from the River rd. Ft Thomas for the grove.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 23 April 1913, page 3
At the annual election of officers of the Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club of Newport, last night, the following were chosen; President, John Flicker; Vice President Robert Wasser; Financial Secretary, Henry Leising; Recording Secretary, William Ruehl; Treasurer, Charles Krinn; Sergeant, Peter Ampler; Directors, Edward Hanseman, John Huber, Otto Depenbrock, William A Brant and Chester Keslar.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 10 September 1913, page 2
There will be big doings at the Phoenix Grove next Sunday when the annual barbecue of the Phoenix Club will be held and from all indications, a record breaking crowd will attend, as the barbecue is becoming more and more popular each year. The Phoenix Club is composed chiefly of Newport men.
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Kentucky Post, Wednesday, 1 September 1915, page 1
Phoenix Fishing and Hunting Club of Newport will hold a silver jubilee at Phoenix Grove, near Ft Thomas, Sunday Sept 19.
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Kentucky Post, Monday, 3 November 1919, page 1
It became known Monday the US Government has secured an option on the old Phoenix Grove property at Brent Ky. which consists of a 15 acre tract. The government desires to use the ground for purpose of constructing another lock in the Ohio River. For several years it has been rumored the government intended to erect a lock at this point as part of the system between Louisville and Pittsburgh.
The ground in question was recently purchased by James Wilson from the Phoenix Hunting and Fishing Club.