The Easton Eagles, located off of Sullivan Trail, was for years a popular weekend gathering spot. Women loved it because they could dance. Men liked the booze ... and the occasional illegal poker machine. Cops usually looked the other way. But this was pre-casino.I've been there for weekend dances, wedding receptions and birthday parties, too. But like many social clubs, the Eagles have fallen on hard times, struggling with real estate taxes every year. This year, it's cashing in its chips. The building is padlocked. On October 30, at 10 AM, Dotta Auction House will sell the real estate and everything in it.
It was interesting to watch the systematic crackdown on private clubs during the run-up to PA casino openings. Rendell cleaned out the competition better than the mafia on their best day. Those who thought nothing is more difficult than competing against the mob were quickly educated about the power of government.
ReplyDeleteReally don't think it had anything to do with the casino. The Easton Elks ended several years ago. This type of club does not find any interest in today's world. Easton Athletic Association closed its doors. It had machines and people stopped going. Membership was all gray haired. These clubs never transitioned to younger generations. Different music tastes. I would have never thought that outdoor concerts at musicfest would be packed. But, live and real entertainment has killed off these social clubs. You don't see the gray hairs at those events. Younger generation even has its own variety of live entertainment clubs. Gambling has little to do with it.
ReplyDeleteThe SAnds will start running live concerts and that will kill off the future of many social clubs in the Bethlehem area.
Remember the fleas club. If they had not been busted, they would still be alive today. They were not a coed social club-men only.
East Side Youth Center Bingo in Allentown is almost dead now to. It thrived up until the arrival of the casino.
ReplyDeleteThe American Legion in Hellertown is dark now too! What a popular place in its day.
ReplyDeleteWaa, waa, waa...
ReplyDeleteIt's a shame...lots of good family memories there.
ReplyDeleteThe Republican Club and the Democratic Club in Fountain Hill are still going strong. I think it is the cheap beer that keeps them coming still!
ReplyDeleteMachines always subsidized cheap drinks food and dancing. Now, club members pay higher prices to support the state's gambling racket. It was part of the plan to consolidate gambling power in Harrisburg and tax those pesky clubs that manage to survive. The system works exactly as many intended in this case. Thank the slimiest governor and worst legislature in the country. They're good when they're bad.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the booze, small-time gambling and food, most social clubs held member activities like golf and card tournaments, outings, Easter egg hunts and Santa visits for the kids, and charity fundraising.
ReplyDeleteThose values are, indeed, lost on the younger generation.
I don't think myspace, facebook and twitter will give back what the Moose, Elks and other social organizations have. And that is society's loss.
So the casino is bad, because it ran the illegal commercial gambling operations out of business (or at least regulated and taxed them).....
ReplyDeleteI don't think he casino is bad or good. I do think many socal clubs have become casualties. That money is local, the casino's money helps a billionaire get richer.
ReplyDeleteMaybe to a point, but nobody is crossing into PA to play electric poker at the local AmVets either.
ReplyDeleteI still don't understand why they just couldn't tax the "illegal" machines at the local clubs. Even if it's 50%! There are some Firehouses that depended on the income from those machines.
ReplyDeleteThe shame of it all there was a chance for this club to be brought back to life and the members that were a for it never came out and supported it. Don't get me wrong there were some who did but the bigger portion of them liked to fight among themselves. They all should have looked at the FOE.com website and found out what being an Eagle really was all about. Well enough said because I tryed to help them get on their feet and I got knocked out of there and now some 2 years later they are closing. Sad just sad.
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