Slovenian Workmen’s Home – 90 Years Of Reality – 100 Years Of Memories
In a building known as Stakich Hall on November 10, 1916, a group of Slovenians representing the following organizations met to discuss building a “Home” to accommodate the promotion of their social, fraternal, cultural, athletic and civic activities:
S.N.P.J. Lodge #53 V Boj
S.N.P.J. Lodge $142 MIR
S.N.P.J. Lodge #312 Vipavski Raj
Waterloo Camp #281 WOW
The Socialist Club #49
Slovenska Godba Triblav
Jadran Singing Society
Collinwood Hive #283 LOTM
Waterloo Grove #110 WC
CFU Sons of Zagrebacke Sloge & Hrvatska Sloboda #285
Blejsko Jezero #27
Collinwood Slovenka #22
Slovenian Band Bled
Carniola Tent #1288 Maccabees
In August of 1917 the name Slovenian Workmen’s Home (SWH) was approved and the first Board of Directors was elected. The Board was made up of the following:
John Rozanc Valentin Pirc Louis Pengl
Frank Oblak John Gorjanc Vid Jancic
Joseph Prestri Elizabeth Matko Anton Dolgan
Anton Rupnik Mike Podboy John Hrovat
J.F. Durn G.M. Kabay Frank Strehovec
Frank Mihelich John Lokar John Habe
Frank Fende Jennie Lampe Rose Ervajec
In 1919 the land was acquired and in order to raise funds for the erection of the building, shares were sold to various groups and to individuals. Of the 4,700 certificates issued, over 50% were purchased by organizations.
In 1920, before the first shovel of dirt was dug, the following additional organizations were formed:
Waterloo Club (later known as the United Cultural Society), Anton Verovsek Dramatic Club and the Ladies Auxiliary, who to this day have held a Friday Fish Fry to raise money for SWH.
Many individuals and groups spent countless hours promoting affairs and various fund raising events to accumulate the much needed capital for their project. With the offer of a bank loan, ground was finally broken.
In 1926 the building was completed. Gala festivities inaugurated the formal opening and dedication, which took place January 1 and 2 of 1927. The original building consisted of a recreation hall, auditorium, business offices, meeting rooms and a library. A Slovenian school was organized in 1931. Classes began on January 20, 1932. That same year saw the beginning of SOKOLS, a gymnastic group. The Slovenian junior chorus Mladenski Penske Zbor was formed in 1934.
In 1935 the street bar section of the building was completed and four years later saw the opening of eight bowling alleys, four indoor balina courts and a party room. These additions helped with added income. During this same year, the lower bar was built and land for the parking lot was purchased.
Many of the boys in the community served in the armed forces and the “Home” became a center for the Red Cross, war bond drives and many other World War II time activities. The Progressive Slovenian Women of America (PSWA) organization felt the patriotic urge and collected funds for the memorial monument to commemorate the many boys who were in the service and many who lost their lives. In 1945 the memorial garden with its monument was dedicated and turned over to SWH and a tradition was born and was upheld for many years. SWH was most grateful to the Euclid Veterans Club who remembered their war buddies and paid tribute to their memory every year with traditional Memorial Day Services in the garden. This year also saw the charter of the corporation changed to a non-profit status and all shares were exchanged for membership certificates.
In 1948 additional office space and an apartment were added which completed the building program. Clubs under the direct wing of the SWH were the following:
Junior Singing Chorus Dramatic Society Anton Verovsek
Ladies Auxiliary Balina Club Waterloo Pensioners Club
Other cultural groups which met at Slovenian Workmen’s Home were:
Jadran Singing Society USS Band
S.N.P.J. Circle 3 (Slovene Language School for children and adults)
Lodges of the following fraternal organizations made their home at Slovenian Workmen’s Home:
1 - Slovene National Benefit Society (S.N.P.J.) – Lodge #576 Spartans, Lodge #614 Strugglers, Lodge #126, Lodge #604 Utopians, Lodge #147 and a few others throughout the years.
2 - American Mutual Life Association (AMLA)
3 - American Fraternal Union
4 - Maccabees
5 - Slovene Women’s Union (SWU)
6 - Progressive Slovene Women of America (PSWA) – and National Headquarters
7 - Woodmen of the World and Woodman Circle
In the political arena, the 32nd Ward Democratic Club met at SWH for many years and then the 32nd Ward Republican Club made SWH their headquarters. A newcomer was the Waterloo Beach Association, which awakened the community with its pride of ownership and its neighborly attitude towards all newcomers.
In the sports groups which met at SWH were the following:
St. Clair Rifle Club American Slovene Golf Club
Waterloo Balina Club Wildwood Yacht Club & their Skipperettes
North East Little League Cleveland Athletic League of SNPJ
Since most of the pioneers of the SWH were in the working class, they became staunch supporters of unions and the working man. SWH was available in the event of strike to all 23 local unions, which met on the premises. Currently only two unions continue to meet at SWH.
The SWH came to the fore in all matters of the community, civic, national and international events. In the aftermath of World War II, many drives inaugurated by the government were amply supported by the various groups. The pride of the first generation Slovenes in their wonderful adopted country was shown in the immediate efforts to help others less fortunate.
Things were relatively quiet until the 1970’s. The purchase of the adjacent property took place in 1973, which involved tearing down a house to provide additional parking. Tarr Drug moved from SWH in 1974. That space was remodeled into the current upper hall bar.
The Ladies Auxiliary was re-organized in 1980. Through their untiring efforts and determination, the lower hall kitchen was remodeled. They continued their remodeling project into the 1990’s by completely redecorating the lower hall and the upper hall ballroom (“Waterloo Ballroom”).
In 1993, the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of the property between the two parking lots. The loans from SNPJ and AMLA were paid off by 1998, again through the efforts of the Board and a generous donation from the Ladies Auxiliary. This purchase proved to be very profitable for SWH.
Major undertakings, which included numerous purchases, renovations and needed up-dating were accomplished throughout the property during the 2000’s. A 90 year old building is in constant need of repair and up-dating. Some of the major projects have been the replacement of the boiler, a fire suppressive system in the kitchen, paving of the parking lots, new furnaces and many more. The income from the rental properties, the bar, the hall rentals, the Auxiliary, gratuities left at the bars and various fundraisers and generous donations were instrumental in generating the needed revenue to accomplish these projects. The Trustees and Auxiliary are the greatest volunteers and continue to do a wonderful job despite the scarcity of volunteers.
The upper hall (“Waterloo Ballroom”) continues to be rented for weddings, dances and various events, as well as the lower hall, where the Friday Fish Fry is held. The balina courts are in use most days October through April by the Waterloo Balina Club, fraternal groups and parties. The meeting rooms are rented by the Little League, various lodges, unions, theater groups, etc. The several buildings on the property also continue to be rented. SWH was known as holding many Polka dances over the years. For the past several years, Sunday Polka Dances have again been held in the “Waterloo Ballroom” with many loyal dancers in attendance every Sunday.
Slovenian Workmen’s Home belonged to the Federation of Slovenian National Homes, who held a banquet every year to honor a Federation Man/Woman of the year and individual hall Man/Woman of the year. The first banquet was held in 1962 at the Slovenian Workmen’s Home with an admission charge of $1.50 per person. The 1962 SWH Man of the Year was Walter Lampe. Others who have earned the title over the years are the following:
Anna Vadnal Vincent Coff Harry Blatnik Matt Petrovich
Frank Mihelic Frank Bittenc Vid Jancic Jennie Princ
Mary Dolsak Josie Glazar Charles Starman Cecilia Wolf
Anthony Sturm Frank Kristoff Joseph Dovgan Mary Furlan
Tony Vrh Frank Koss Mildred Bradac Sutton Girod
John Cech Betty Rotar Bertha Dovgan Stanley Grk
John Lokar Bill Bayuk Florence Unetich Ladies Auxiliary
Angela Zabjek Kenneth Kleinhenz Donald V. Gorjup Albert Meglich
Celeste Frollo Patricia Nevar Eleanor Godec Josephine Kapla
Mike Podboy Joseph Frollo Sophie Matuch June Slapnik
Richard J. Zele Paul Yanchar Fred Nevar Joe Bradac
Gerri Trebets Mary Jean Bradac Rudy Floran
Sincere congratulations to all of the past and present Trustees of SWH, the Auxiliary, who continues to this day to be an important group of volunteers, and to those who have supported the endeavors by attending the various functions and by their generous donations throughout the years.
The early pioneers would be pleased to know that their dreams of building a place where their people could gather in fellowship stood strong for 90 years.
With the approval of the SWH shareholders at a special meeting January 23, 2016, the board was given permission to sell the Slovenian Workmen’s Home property and contents to Mr. Patrick Hawkins. SWH is considered an historical building and Mr. Hawkins promised the shareholders that he will keep the Slovenian heritage a priority.
The 2015/6 Board of Trustees are the following:
Joe Bradac – President Pat Nevar – Vice President Mary Jean Bradac – Financial Secretary
Pauline Barbish – Treasurer Gerri Trebets – Recording Secretary Rick Gorjup – Auditor
Eileen Markusic – Auditor June Slapnik – Auxiliary Liaison Darlene Zele - Sunshine
Rudy Floran – Balina Club Liaison Bruce Taylor – Trustee Gina Volpe – Trustee
Because of all of the many volunteer hours required for the building, the repairs, the fund raisers events, etc. to make the SWH a success, the motto has always been “Your Home Away from Home”.
To celebrate this milestone, a dinner dance will be held Sunday, May 15, 2016 by advance reservations. For additional information, please call 216/481-5378.