On Friday, July 26th, the South of South Neighborhood Association hosted its first History Happy Hour at the Bainbridge Club. Despite some attendees hearing about it only the day before, the turnout was great and the event a memorable evening of first-hand stories of the Graduate Hospital/South West Center City/South of South neighborhood.

Good crowd

Hosted by SOSNA programs coordinator Andrew Dalzell, in partnership with Michael Jones, owner of the Bainbridge Club at 1526 Bainbridge St., the event drew residents living here anywhere from generations to a few months. The neighbors socialized, enjoyed a spread of homemade appetizers, sipped happy hour-priced drinks from the Bainbridge Club’s full bar, and a live jazz band played in the Club’s bright and open banquet room. A hidden gem of a reception space (available for rent!), the Bainbridge Club at the Hotel Brotherhood has an extremely rich history of its own.

Bainbridge Club

Bainbridge Club bar

Attention turned to an oral history discussion led by Mr. Dalzell and Mr. Jones. Dalzell shared his experience working on his recently published book, “Evergreens: A Neighborhood History.” The book is a clean and neat curation of the history of this neighborhood and significant residents, buildings, and various city documents and maps. Mr. Jones spoke about his personal history with the Hotel Brotherhood and the support it has provided the community today and in the past. The richness of the evening was augmented by guests sharing first-hand knowledge and stories from growing up and living in the neighborhood going back to the 1940s.

Mssrs. Dalzell and Jones

Open discussion touched on preserving local history and the importance of supporting local business that have ties to the past in this section of the city.

If you missed the first one and are disappointed (you should be!) this was only the first of a series. The next will be held on Friday, August 23rd at 6pm and the topic is rumored to be the Crosstown Expressway project that almost ruined South Street in the 1960s. Hopefully, long-time locals will be there again to share their memories of the changes that came and those that didn’t. Consider stopping in to join the fun and discussion. The bar will be open and Mr. Dalzell’s book will be on sale for $20. See you there?

–Lauren Summers