The Chicago Yacht Club was founded to encourage and promote the sport of yachting, yacht building and to conduct world-class sailing competitions and yachting activities.
That was our charter in 1875, and it remains today. Today, the Chicago Yacht Club is ranked as one of the top 5 yacht clubs in the U.S. The Chicago Yacht Club maintains a wall of historical awards, trophies and our own "wall of fame." While walking by the legendary Commodore Wall, you'll stand among generations of Chicago, sailing, and Chicago Yacht Club history.
Click Through Our Storied History
HISTORICAL INTERVIEWS WITH MEMBERS
Fred Gorr interviews Commodore Miareki
Interview with Dick Sterns- Cuba Sailboat Racing 1950s
Lindy Thomas and Fred Gorr Interview
Dick Sterns Interview about sailing in Portugal 1950s
A LITTLE HISTORY WORTH KNOWING - FIRST 100 YEARS OF THE CHICAGO YACHT CLUB
Watch Video
CYC HISTORY COMMITTEE BOOKS
E-Book: CYC, The First Hundred Years (PDF)
Chicago Yacht Club Timeline
Since 1875, the Chicago Yacht Club has been building a tradition of friendship, fun, and a shared passion for the pursuit of yachting excellence. We invite you to scroll through our timeline to learn more about our Club's rich history.
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The Chicago Yacht Club was organized at the Sherman House in the City of Chicago on the evening of August 7, 1875 as an association with a membership of 37 men. The first officers were John Prindiville (pictured), Commodore; T.M. Bradley, Vice Commodore; William F. Higgie, Rear Commodore; C.E. Kremer, Secretary; and F.W.S. Brawley, Treasurer. The first year book for the season of 1875-76 lists the names of the fifty charter members. The initiation fee was $5 and the annual dues $4, payable semi-annually.
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On January 9, 1882, the Club was issued its Certificate of Incorporation under the laws of Illinois. As the Certificate stated, the formation of Chicago Yacht Club was to encourage and promote the sport of yacht sailing and building.
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The first Chicago-Mackinac Race is held. William Cameron’s 64’ fin-keel sloop Vanenna won the race among the five boats entered in 51 hours. After a vigorous drive for members, the membership grew from six members and two yachts in 1897 to 60 and 16 yachts.
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In 1900 with membership numbering 125 and a fleet of 28 yachts, the club obtained the Argo Clubhouse, a 35 x 55 foot boathouse located at the end of the Illinois Central pier #3 at the foot of Randolph Street. It had been the former home of a group of yachtsmen called the Argonauts- a small group of socially oriented yachtsmen. Their yacht, the Argo, had been used in 1893 to carry their guests to the World’s Columbian Exposition held where Jackson Park harbor is today.
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A new clubhouse, initiated by Commodore George Warrington, at the foot of Monroe Street, on pilings in the lake, was formally opened on June 28, 1902.
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Clam Dinner
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Chicago Yacht Club and the Lincoln Park Yacht Club combined.
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In 1923, the barge and clubhouse at Belmont Harbor replaces the lumber schooner Carrier that had served as the Lincoln Park Yacht Club clubhouse since 1915. Carrier, a 177-ton canaler, was built in Michigan in 1865. In 1923, she sank off Evanston while being towed to Waukegan. Her large wheel has been preserved at the Belmont Station and a mural shows Carrier when she was our Club ship. Our race committee crafts have all been named Carrier in her honor.
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Monroe St. Clubhouse moved to the present site to make room for the outer drive's construction.
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The CYC Race Committee at Mackinac Island in 1928; Included in the photo are Kinsey, Catto, Benedict, Ritchie, Lippincott, Scott, Lockett, Willis, Radulic, Schmitt and F. Benedict.
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The depression of the 1930’s put an end to the elaborate plans for the $3,000,000 eight story clubhouse at Chicago Harbor.
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The second Chicago Harbor Clubhouse, which had been a display called "The House of Tomorrow" at the Century of Progress Exhibition, was moved to the site in 1935 as a temporary building.
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Construction of the first section of the present Monroe St. Clubhouse
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Additions to the present clubhouse completed. Pictured here is the victorious bowling team with the Detroit Boat Club beating their opponents by 122 pins. Other teams include a CYC trapshooting team and hockey team.
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1975 marked the celebration of the Club’s 100 year Anniversary and a new high in activity for the Club. Countless hours of effort by hundreds of loyal members went into the celebration. Recognition flowed from many sources including Illinois Governor Walker, Chicago Mayor Daley and President Gerald Ford. The latter two even enjoyed dinner at the Chicago Yacht Club.
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Chicago Yacht Club participates in sponsorship of Heart of America of America’s Cup.
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Dick Jennings’ Pied Piper, a Santa Cruz establishes new elapsed time record for Mackinac Race at 25 hours 50 minutes and 44 seconds.
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Chicago Yacht Club Foundation was founded by then-Commodore Joseph Wright, Jr., Kurt Stocker, and Dick Wharton. A member can now give something back to the community while supporting the Club’s nautical educational activities.
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CYC celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the first Race to Mackinac. The multihull record in the Race to Mackinac is established at 18 hours 50 minutes and 32 seconds by Steve Fossett on Stars and Stripes; the catamaran previously sailed by Dennis Conner in the Americas Cup.
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The 125th Anniversary of the Chicago Yacht Club
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Roy Disney’s Pyewacket breaks 14 year old race record held by Dick Jennings with elapsed time of 23 hours 30 minutes and 34 seconds.
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Belmont Station barge is relocated to the south east end of the Belmont Harbor.
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Chicago Yacht Club adds new Sailing Activities Center barge adjacent to Belmont Station.
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2008 marked the 100th running of the "Mac Race," with a record entry of 460 boats and 100% of the fleet was tracked by GPS transponder.
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