PYC History

By Bill Spencer, PYC Historian

Most PYC members are aware of the fact that PYC was founded in the city of Poughkeepsie and of the Club’s long association with the city. The other day, someone told me she remembered the yacht club “down by the bridge.” She may not have known that the club was at that location for nearly four decades before the Mid-Hudson Bridge was built. But when the club was 75 years old, the city of Poughkeepsie decided to acquire our property, and the club was forced to leave.

PYC’s membership was dwindling at that time, and many members were content to allow the club to cease to exist quietly. But five of its members were determined not to let that happen, and they pooled their money to locate and purchase property elsewhere that would be more permanent. Past Commodore Einar Reves, P/C David Harrand, P/C Harold Krom, Robert Prichard, and Dr. Arnold Goran were members. Adding their funds to the meager payment for our old property from the city, they searched for and found our current property and eventually relocated the Club’s property to it. But that’s another story, perhaps for another History Update.

At the October 2019 membership meeting, Dr. Goran presented a saved clipping from the February 6, 1969, Poughkeepsie Journal to the club. The article in the clipping announced the Club’s plans to move to Hyde Park, which can be seen in the photo. [to the right / below]

What is particularly interesting about the article in the Journal are the details outlined regarding the City’s plans for the riverfront and the plans of PYC for future expansion, as stated at that time. A lot has changed since then for the city and the club.