A brief historyThe origins of curling date back to the 16th century in Scotland, where the game was played on frozen lochs and ponds. Scottish immigrants brought the game with them to North America, where it quickly spread across the northern United States and Canada. Settlers began curling on the frozen Milwaukee River in the early 1840’s and officially formed the Milwaukee Curling Club (MCC) in 1845. MCC relocated to Riverside Park in 1915, where two covered sheets of ice provided a fixed home for the next 55 years. The modern game of curling evolved rapidly during the 1900’s, aided in large part by the move indoors through the use of refrigerated ice. Relocation to the club’s current site at Ozaukee Country Club in Mequon, Wisconsin, occurred in 1970. Today, Milwaukee Curling Club is the oldest curling club in continual existence in the United States. Timeline1843-45 First curling in Milwaukee was held downtown on the Milwaukee River ice by Scot Settlers. 1846 Curlers elect as president, James Murray, first permanent Scot settler in Milwaukee (1835). Now oldest existing curling club in the U.S. 1850 First curling held in Portage, WI, the second oldest club in Wisconsin and U.S. 1851 Milwaukee curlers' stones ruined by a fire, causing a 3 year hiatus before reorganization in 1854. 1852 At a Scottish community celebration of Robert Burns' birthday, this late evening toast was offered: "To the Milwaukee Curling Club: Short shoon and long corns to their foes." 1865 The club again reorganized and entered a period of high popularity among leading citizens. The first Chicago/Milwaukee competition was held. It was won by Milwaukee, as were most of these traditional annual competitions into the early 1900's. 1867 Formation of Grand National Curling Club of America as a national association, composed mainly of eastern clubs, but with Milwaukee and Chicago joining in the first year (both shortly the largest clubs in the U.S.). 1872-87 Milwaukee curlers win the Grand National Gordon Champion Rink Medal in 1872, 1873, 1881, and 1885; the Gordon International Medal (against Canada) at Montreal on first play in 1884; and the Grand National Mitchell Championship Medal in 1886. Milwaukeeans John Johnston and William P. Mclaren served as Grand National presidents in 1877-79 and 1883-85 respectively; and Alexander Mitchell (founder of Milwaukee's Marine bank and a curler from 1847) was Grand National patron from 1885 to his death in 1887. 1892 Milwaukee curlers combine to settle into covered ice at Warren Ave. (riding academy) rink house. After taking initiative in forming a new Northwestern Curling Association, Milwaukee withdraws from Grand National. 1905 Curlers lose possessions at Warren Ave. rink house and are without a fixed home until 1915, though still engaging in sporadic interim club meetings and Chicago competitions. 1915 Beginning of 55 year tenure at Riverside Park with two covered sheets in the center of the park. 1920-28 Relocation to a 3 sheet shed at south edge of the park, and an addition of lean-to for 4th sheet. 1938 Formal incorporation of club as non-profit Wisconsin corporation, incident to purchase and installation of air-cooling equipment. (unsuccessful experiment) 1945 Installation of artificial ice, promptly after removal of W.W.II material priorities. 1948-49 Woman's curling begins at Milwaukee, followed shortly by mixed curling. 1951 First mixed bonspiel in U.S. at Milwaukee. (Portage was one week later). 1957 Addition of club lounge, the last major improvement at Riverside. Occupancy agreement extended by park board was to expire November 1, 1970. 1958 Milwaukee team of H. Fuldner(s), R. Lorenz, R. Woberil and P. Nolte win Wisconsin entry in U.S. Championship held in Milwaukee. United States Curling Association formed. 1960 Initiation of long term planning on future club location; purchase of alternative River Hills land site. 1962 Joe Carson elected president of United States Curling Association. 1964 Milwaukee team of L. Brodd(s), H. & K. Moebius and R. Schley win Wisconsin entry in U.S. Championship. 1968 Fire by arson strikes Riverside clubhouse and delays season opening to late December. 1968-69 Long term location plans settled in favor of Ozaukee Country Club location. Disposal of River Hills site. 1970 Relocation as continuing corporate entity at Ozaukee Country Club, with Curling Club paying all capital costs of curling addition under 30-year lease agreement. 1989 World Curling Championship held in Milwaukee at Mecca Auditorium. 1994 Celebrated Sesquicentennial Anniversary with a party held at the Hyatt Hotel in Milwaukee. 1997 Renegotiated lease with Ozaukee Country Club for 10 more years. Massive floods in July damaged club house and discovery of structural damage delay curling until December. 2003 Celebrated the 50th Annual Milwaukee Men's Invitational Bonspiel. 2003 Ozaukee Country Club terminated its lease with MCC, giving four years notice before vacancy had to occur. 2004 The Milwaukee Curling Association was founded by Stacy Barnes as a separate charitable non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sport of curling. The Association initiated a capital campaign to build a new curling facility.
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