About Us
Established in 1895, the Casino is Garden City's Oldest social organization and has a history as rich as that of the community it serves. The Garden City Casino Association, the original governing body of the Casino, was formed so that the managers of Alexander T. Stewart's estate could turn over the Casino building to this community social organization. When it was built in 1885, there was an aura of secrecy around the building's intended use. Initial news reports claimed that it was to be a roller rink - the rink in Hempstead was
a major attraction at the time. Other reports speculated that it was to be a shooting gallery. Unfortunately we will never know. But, almost from the beginning, the Casino
featured racquet sports with 3 grass tennis courts and a stretch lawn for croquet.
Below are a few links
with regards to the Garden
City Casino
By
Laws
Tennis
Rules and Regulations
History
of the Garden City Casino
Merriam-Webster defines the word “casino” as “a building or room used for social amusements”.
The Garden City
Casino has never offered
gambling.
In fact, its original purpose was to cater to out-of-town
worshippers visiting the
Cathedral.
The Garden City
Casino began as a modest
structure called the
“Stewart Arms” that was
built around 1885.
It was a place to
rest, wait for a train, or
meet with friends.
Over time, it became
popular with Villagers as
well, and was known as the
Garden City Club.
It boasted 2 grass
tennis courts, a croquet
lawn, and an indoor stage
for amateur theatricals.
Like the rest of
Garden City’s commercial
and residential property,
the Garden City Club and the
park adjacent to it were
owned by the Stewart family.
After Alexander &
Cornelia Stewart died, the
Stewart heirs formed The
Garden City Company in order
to oversee the continued
development of Garden City.
The Garden City
Company reversed the earlier
A. T. Stewart policy of
retaining ownership and
control of Village property.
Residents were now
able to purchase their
homes, rather than leasing
them from the Stewarts.
The Garden City
Company also sold tracts of
land to residential
developers.
By 1895, the Garden City Club was extensively redesigned and
remodeled by famed architect
Stanford White.
White was married to
one of Cornelia Stewarts
heirs and was a director of
the Garden City Company.
The club was
enlarged, and now featured a
newly refurbished ballroom.
The Garden City
Company offered the club
members exclusive use of the
Garden City Club, although
they retained ownership of
the property. The
members promptly organized
as the Garden City Casino
Association, with membership
open to all residents of
Garden City.
“As one of the few sources of
entertainment in the
Village, it was immediately
popular. Although still
primarily a tennis club, it
also offered bowling and
billiards, and the ladies
saw to it that there were
weekly concerts and
theatricals, soiree
musicales, daily afternoon
teas, euchre and debating
clubs, lectures, dances, and
cotillions.”
In 1920, The Garden City Company deeded a number of
tracts of land to the
Village of Garden City to be
used as greenspace.
Among these was the
area bordered by Cathedral
Avenue on the west, Hilton
Avenue on the east, the Long
Island Rail Road on the
north, and Sixth St. on the
South.
The Village now owned
the Casino and the Casino
Association continued to
manage the
building and tennis
courts.
This arrangement was
formally spelled out in
successive 20-year license
agreements between the
Village and the Casino
members.
Today, The Garden City Casino continues as a social,
tennis, and bridge club that
is open to all residents of
Garden City. The Casino
building remains largely
unchanged since 1895.
The open porches on
the east & west sides of
the ballroom have been
enclosed, and the main
entrance has been moved from
Cathedral Avenue to Sixth
Street.
However, the overall
design of the exterior has
not been compromised, and
many original design
features have survived. The
clubhouse is historically
significant in that it is
the only Stanford White
building that remains
standing in Garden City.
(Stanford Whited
designed the iconic Garden
City hotel and the old
library building.
Both have been torn
down.)
Times have changed, and we no longer offer bowling
or croquet.
Our event spaces
still host social functions
for members and their
guests, but they can also be
rented by the general public
as well.
We no longer have
grass tennis courts, but
instead offer 4 beautifully
maintained “har tru”
outdoor courts.
The Casino is
operated and managed by
volunteers, and, as one of
the oldest institutions in
Garden City, we are
extremely proud of our
127-year heritage!
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