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HISTORY OF THE AMERICAN WALKERS’ ASSOCIATION of Cincinnati, Ohio by Eileen Rothhaas
In December 1916, a small enthusiastic group of hikers consisting of Sebastian Linehan, Charles Klusmeyer, Samuel Epstein, Jacob Hoffman, and Dr. J. C. Reeve met at the corner of Harrison Avenue and North Bend Road to take what was to be the first hike of the American Walkers’ Association. This hike took them over North Bend Road to Belmont Avenue, to Hamilton Avenue, to Groesbeck Road, to Gray, to Winton, to Spring Grove Avenue, and to Chester Park (Cincinnati’s premier amusement park prior to Coney Island) where the hike ended. It was a distance of ten miles.
A permanent organization was established within a week with Sebastian Linehan as President. There was a slight bond between the local organization and the national A.W.A. until the year of 1918. At that time the local organization became affiliated with the American Walkers’ Association of New York City, and became known as the Cincinnati Chapter of the American Walkers’ Association. There were other chapters at that time in Cleveland and Pittsburgh as part of an ambitious plan to spread this association all over the United States and in this way become nationally known and powerful enough to create a series of hiking trails and hostels in much the same manner as the great hiking organizations of Europe. This idea never materialized and today our Cincinnati club is the only one still in existence.
Hikes were held every Sunday afternoon until 1918, when a long distance squad was established. These hikers took all-day hikes on Sundays, walking between 20 and 30 miles and eating at a favorite dining place along the way. During the latter part of 1918 and 1919 most of the young men went off to serve in World War I and attendance dropped. The women and the older men carried on the hikes mostly in the afternoon. In 1921 the long distance hikers reorganized. Although there were occasional afternoon hikes, most hikers belonged to the long distance squad.
In 1921 Richard Remer, a walker from New York who had been a member of the 1921 Olympic Walking Team, came to Cincinnati and walked against the local hikers in a two mile walk. He showed a type of speed walking that was unknown around here and proved a sensation by lapping our athletes at least twice. Recreational hiking lost its appeal after that when most of the members, including President Linehan, turned their interest to competitive walking. Their walking team and their track team won many awards. Irwin J. Carroll coached both teams.
In 1923 Arthur E. Afsprung was elected president and recreational walking again became popular in the club. All-day lunch hikes continued but afternoon and evening hikes had the best attendance. During the 1920’s the club sponsored train excursions, produced a show, held a track meet, and had roller skating hikes with between 65 and 80 skaters participating each time.
In 1925 the club published its first official paper, “The A.W.A Weekly,” that was mailed to each member for a subscription fee. In 1929, it was decided instead to publish a monthly paper, free to members, called “The Pedometer.” This paper is still published today six times a year.
In 1928 the 300-Mile Club was established for those completing 300 miles of scheduled hikes in one year.
Twenty-eight hikers completed this feat to become charter members of this honorary society. Records of those completing 300 miles a year were kept through 1948.
In the 1930’s overnight camping trips became popular. In 1933, the A.W.A. took part in its first annual Tree Planting Hike. In an agreement with the Cincinnati Board of Park Commissioners, the club donated and planted trees in Mt. Airy Forest each year through 1976.
During the 1940’s the club established a “Country Club,” on the river near Batavia, Ohio. The next year, they needed a larger facility and rented one on the Little Miami River at Bass Island. Many members spent Sundays and holidays at the Bass Island Camp. In 1941 the first Annual Party was held to celebrate the club’s 25th Anniversary. An Annual Party was held each year through 1993.
During the 1950’s the club was asked to help blaze and clear trails at Natural Bridge, Kentucky, and the Red River Gorge area. Today, the club continues to hike at Natural Bridge each Labor Day Weekend. Supper-lunch hikes began in 1950. These hikes were held in the summer. Hikers ate a picnic supper and then went for a hike in the cool of the evening.
Art Afsprung died in 1961 after being president of the club for about 38 years. His brother William Afsprung, although not a hiker, joined the club in 1918 and was a generous benefactor of the club until his death in 1976.
After Art’s death, Irwin Carroll took over as President and the club continued much as it had in the past with Sunday all-day hikes, Sunday afternoon hikes and many social activities. The club was incorporated as of November 7, 1963, under the laws of the State of Ohio as a nonprofit organization and the official name became the American Walkers’ Association of Cincinnati, Ohio.
In 1966 with Leo Trageser as President the club celebrated its 50th Anniversary with an elegant affair. Charles Klusmeyer, the only living founder, attended with his wife.
Irwin Carroll took over as President again in 1968 and continued to hold that office until 1987 when ill health forced him to become President Emeritus. His wife Catherine served as President for several years after that.
The decades of the sixties, seventies, and eighties will be remembered for the large crowds of hikers who attended the afternoon hikes and a smaller but dedicated group of morning hikers. Many new members joined the club during that time. There were numerous social activities including parties, bus trips, potlucks, swim parties, picnics, and even a luncheon club. Picture nights, which afforded members the opportunity to eat at a restaurant and then share the slides they had taken, became very popular. There were overnight trips including a weekend trip to Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, held annually from 1970 through 1993. The Christmas party was held for the first time in 1961 and continues today.
In 1992 and 1993 Jean Veith and Clara Spreen served as Co-Presidents of the club until Martha Arbogast took over that office from 1994 through 2004. Bud Walker served 2005 thru 2008. At this time there are more hikers who walk on Sunday morning than on Sunday afternoon. The morning hikers walk about four to seven miles each Sunday morning and then either picnic together or eat lunch together at a restaurant. The afternoon hikers walk about three or four miles on Sunday afternoons. During the summer months, the morning hikers start out earlier to avoid the heat and no hikes are held in the afternoon. A few hikes are held in the evenings.
In April 2007 we really joined the 21st century by going on line with a web site. The address is www.awacincy.com This article is to explain the origin of the club and to touch upon some of the highlights of the past years. It is in no way all-inclusive. Please come out to join us so that we can enjoy a future as fascinating as our past. |
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