Manufacturer: Syracuse China
User: Swedish Club of Chicago
Date of plate: November 1945

Photo of the Swedish Club of Chicago taken in 2010 by Smallbones

Ad in the Chicago Tribune dated November 1984 for the auction of the club's contents.

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Notes: The Swedish Club of Chicago was located at 1258 N. LaSalle Street on Chicago's north side and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1985. According to the website TheClio.com, "The genesis of the Swedish Club of Chicago is tied to Föreningen Freja, an immigrant singing society started in 1869 (incorporated in 1874) that provided insurance and sick benefits to its members. Föreningen Freja went dormant from 1881 to 1886, so in 1882, some of its members merged with a non-singing club known as the Svenska Klubben (The Swedish Club) in 1882. This social club was located at 155 East Chicago Avenue. Föreningen Freja returned in 1887, but by 1889 both clubs consolidated and formed the Svenska Glee-Klubben in Chicago … . And then, in 1896, they moved to the Lasalle location that now exists on the National Register for Historic Places.

"In 1906 Svenska Glee-Klubben changed its name to Svenska Klubben and applied for incorporation in the State of Illinois in 1923, but the Secretary of State refused to incorporate an organization with a foreign name. Hence, they were renamed "The Swedish Club of Chicago" (incorporated July 13, 1923). At that time, they adopted by laws that stated:

'The object of this association shall be: to preserve Swedish Language, Customs, Song, Music, Art, and Industry; to promote Social Intercourse; to maintain a Club House and Library.'

"Over time, as immigration numbers waned and intermarriage depleted the purely-Swedish population (as is the case with most of the immigrants that arrived prior to, and during, the World War eras), the club transitioned mainly to a social club. And then, by 1984, rising costs and a rapidly declining membership forced its closure."

White body plate with a black band outlined with coin gold pinstripes around the outer rim. At the top of the well is the club's logo in black and white.

Sources:
TheClio.com – history of the club
Wikipedia.com – photo of the clubhouse by Smallbones

Contributors:
Susan Phillips: plate photos
Ed Phillips: author