History
The year is 1949. Average annual income is around $3,600 if you have a good job. $2,000 to $2,500 would be typical for a man working with his hands. Dues were $7.00. If adjusted to 2005 dollars, our dues would be $140 instead of the $20.00 we pay now.
Seven members pitched in in almost every way conceiveable. A plot of land and a possible club house was in Dillsburg from around 1947. The club relocated, possibly to a plot near Sterrett's Gap. This club house may have been acquired around 1951.
Funds were very tight. A hand full of dedicated members loaned their personal funds in order to secure a loan for a plot of land. Russell Metz, Walter Belcher loaned $25.00. Ralph Martin $18. Robert Kell loaned $50. Mr. Kell went on to be a central figure in supporting the club. He gave extraordinary service. A sum of $300 was raised and paid to a Lester Mellott in "final payment". (Relative of Mike and Frank???)
The total in the treasury stood at $37.68 on 18 August, 1951.
A deed for the club house was secured in Jan, 1952. The attorney's fee was $5.00. (Boy, how things have changed where billng is now $200 to $400 per hour for small town lawyers). 1953 began with 13 members.
A very simple set of "House Rules" was drawn up around this time. Rules 1 through 8 were simple and all that was needed. Essentially, the club house was to support motorcycle activities and second, serve as a place for members to have fun. Alcohol was allowed except for riding activities. OK for all else.
In 1954, there were the following brands of bikes in the club:
Harleys: 9, Indians: 4, Triumphs: 4
Members donated their furnishings for the new club house. The Dillsburg land sold for $350.00 and the loan for the Carlisle plot was paid off and the members repaid for their loans. Different times: 5 gallons of kerosene cost 85 cents. A case of cokes, 80cents.
To keep the treasury alive, a large ceramic Pig bank was passed around. Every member contributed something. Perhaps we should reinstitute this tradition in addition to our 50/50 efforts.
A club dinner was voted for members at club expense with the cost of a dinner not to exceed $1.50 per member. Adjusted for inflation, this would be $30 today. Club rollerskating parties were held as fund raisers. They seemed to be successful as they held many of them. The lady Ramblers donated money for a spark plug for the generator. The club had no well, facilities or electricity... they lighted whatever they had as a club house by generator power. Ceiling material was obtained in April, 1954. Club riding events were mainly "field events" where folks performed various tasks on their motorcycles and club rides to other cycle club events. A partner club was the "Happy Ramblers" in Hanover. The club had 27 members in 1954.
The land for our present location was acquired in December, 1955 at a cost of not to exceed $75 per acre. The club agreed to not spend above $400 for the 6 acres of land our clubhouse now stands upon. There may have been an existing structure which was valued at around $900 to $1,100. This may have been the beginnings of our present structure. Money was borrowed from the bank to dig a well and acquire a pump. Electric was installed for $1,500, a huge expense for the tiny club to bear.
The June 1957 electric bill was $10.
Meetings were generally held monthly.
