Squaw Creek 

On July 26, 1926, Squaw Creek Country Club and Golf Course, “the Jewish Playground” of Youngstown, opened. With the exclusive nature of the other clubs in the city, Squaw Creek fulfilled another dream of the Youngstown Jewish population. Michael J. Samuels, a prominent jeweler, was the “daddy” the club by personally devoting five years of time, money, and effort towards making a Jewish Country Club in Youngstown a reality. When the club was finally dedicated in the summer of 1926, he became the first president. Samuels would also serve as treasurer for the club and president of the Squaw Creek Land Company, which acquired the land for the facilities. The formal dedication on a Monday in July was, “a great credit to the promoters and members,” which brought it fruition.[1]   

The club was a haven for over three decades before tragedy struck. At 10:15 a.m. on the morning of March 16, 1962, a fire destroyed Squaw Creek. Unofficial estimates of the damage, as reported in the Vindicator, reached an excess of five hundred thousand dollars. Despite the tremendous destruction, plans to rebuild the club began immediately. Insurance covered most of the losses, including members’ personal items like golf clubs and clothing. The club reopened October 30, 1963.[2]    

Squaw Creek Costume Party circa 1930. Acc. No. JA87-254, MVHS Collection.

Photocopy of golf article from the Warren Tribune circa 1940. Picture: host pro Jimmy Alcroft (left) and Lee Wilkoff (right). Acc. No. JA95-266, MVHS Collections.

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