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The Pine Tree Rifle Club, Inc., of Johnstown, NY was organized in
the Spring of 1937, the first meeting being held at the home of Robert C.
Kilmer. For the next couple of years all of the meetings were held at the
homes of the members.
The Club leased enough land for the 100-yard
range and for trap shooting in the Spring of 1938. The Club House was
built on leased land during the Fall and Winter of 1940. Later, in 1942,
the property consisting of thirty acres was purchased
outright.
Since that time many improvements have been
made, outdoor fireplaces erected, and the grounds were cleaned off providing
ample space for picnic parties. A twenty-five yard range was placed near
the Club House. In the Spring of 1947 a new well was driven near the Club
House which provides a supply of clear, cold water.
During the Summer of 1947 a bulldozer was
engaged to clear off more land and to build new roads through the
property. The new 100-yard range was leveled off and improved, while more
parking space was provided.
Those members who gave so generously of
their time, every Wednesday evening, during the past Summer are to be commended
for the work they have done in making the 100 yard range one of the best in the
State.
Five bench rests have been erected and new
target frames and their supports were made and put in place. Benches were
placed for the convenience of visitors and contestants who may now drive direct
to the range. The many large pine trees on the knoll back of the targets,
together with the woods surrounding the range, provides a scenic setting and
background seldom found on a range of this size.
The members are now engaged in enlarging the
kitchen, which due to the increase in membership was required. A new and
larger gas range has been installed The intention is to provide special
dinners to members and friends several times a month during the Fall and
Winter.
The Club now has over 150 members and with the new 100-yard range in use several rifle matches will be held later in the season. The Bench Rest Match, which the Club is now sponsoring, for the first time during this Labor Day holiday will be an annual affair if it meets with the approval of both contestants and members. We hope that all of the contestants and visitors attending this match will avail themselves of the camping facilities afforded and we invite them to use the Club House during their attendance.
CHARTER MEMBERS
Robert C. Kilmer Michael DeMagistris Anton Albrecht
John Velisky Edwin Kilmer K. Wm. Buchner
Robert Van Horne Michael SOllak Floyd Bradt
Donal Wagschal Donal Shaver Walter Theurer
Richard Brower Howard Musgrave Douglas Harvey
James Kilmer Harry Kiler
Anton Albrecht served as the first President and John Velisky was the first Secretary of the CLub. The members who served in the Second World War, and are inscribed on the Club Honor Roll, are as follows:
K. Wm. BUchner Claude Burch Wesley CLifford
Michael DeMagistris Paul Gunsel Theron Henry
Frank Pollak William Neuberger John Simek
Daniel Sitterly Joseph SLovick Everett Smith
Robert Thompson Anthony Velicky George Velicky
John Husek
The Gold Star members of the Club wre Charles Johnannes and John Pavucek.
Webmasters note: The above history was written sometime in the late 1940's or early 1950's