History

"A work in progress" see below

   Original Story by: Sandra Hespell & Stan Myers

           Researched, Edited &  Appended by: Ron Skotleski  

1937 "The First Year" The Blue Comet Motorcycle Club was organized in 1937 under the name BLACK CATS.  The Blacks Cats originated from the name of the bar they frequented in Point Pleasant PA, north of New Hope PA. Today the Black Cat Bar still stands and is known as "Apple Jacks"

The first meetings were held at the home of Bill Garner who lived in the Lansdale area. The name "Blue Comet" was submitted by Samuel Stover, who hailed from the Perkasie area. The club changed it's name in recognition of a train that operated between New York City and Atlantic City which frequently caused delays in the club's rides to the New Jersey shore - THE BLUE COMET EXPRESS. The club was originally organized to “promote motorcycle racing"

The first officers were: Samuel Stover Pres., David Warren, V.P., Lawrence Gular, Treas., David Umstead, Sec., and George A. Bresmer also serving as Secretary.

The club adopted Blue and Grey for their colors, they then purchased uniforms using grey as the main color and blue for the trim. There were many discussions on whether to use leggings or boots to go with the breeches. The distinguished look of boots with breeches won out. Bill Albright had a sample uniform made to exhibit the look to the fellow club members. The cost of the first uniform was $22.00  which was a lot of money in 1937.

The original club members were quite active and participated in a number of local events, they even put on a few of their own. "Hare and Hound" was a favorite, followed closely by "Motorcycle Polo".

On Sept. 24th. 1937 the club added new games to their favorites, namely "Balloon Racing", "Turkey and Chicken Run", also "Straight, Right & Left Arrow Run", which was a timed event. In the winter months they even participated in  "Ice Racing".  An Accident Fund was also started in 1937. Mr. Howard Wiley was the first member to collect from the fund, having been hurt in a "Hare & Hound Chase" .

In the early years, one of the objectives was to obtain a club house or club grounds. A task that would take 13 years to accomplish.  There were all kinds of methods used to collect money. One of them was to sell tickets for prizes.  Tickets were sold and prizes were handed out. In the 1937 drawing the 1^st. price was a motorcycle tire, 2nd prize was a riding belt worth $3.00 and 3rd. prize was a seat cover worth $1.50. The total profit from the drawing was $33.15. The founding members even held a shooting match before hunting season to raise money.  .

Many of the events had names that didn't necessarily correspond to the event. For example "The Turkey Run", this was a Timed Scheduled run that was held, in which the winner won a 10lb. Turkey. A banquet was held afterwards with Turkey for the main entree. The members paid in part for the banquet with the club treasury paying the balance. 

"A Trip to Richmond" In 1937 the club went to Richmond VA. for the "Memorial Day Motorcycle Races". The Blue Comet Motorcycle Club placed 3rd. in the "Best Dressed Club Contest" for their new uniforms. 1937 was an eventful year, with the start of an exciting new club. Every new member brought energy and ideas. Every member was respected for his individuality and ethics.  Ending 1937 Mr. Paul Ely joined the club on Dec. 3rd. 1937. Paul owned a small Harley Davidson dealership in New Brittan PA.  Paul would later become club president

1938  The year started off with new club officers. Bill Garner, Pres., Rudy Gular, V.P., Laura Albright, Sec., Bill Albright, Treas.  Early in 1938 the club had an option on buying some ground from Mr. Wasser for the some of $1250.00. The location of the property at this time is unknown. The club did make a purchase in 1938, it was a "First Aid Kit". Because of the need to raise money for a clubhouse the working members were asked to pay 1% of their wages to get the club together. This sum was in addition to the annual club dues.

Even with the pressures to raise money for a clubhouse, the members did not forget the reason for their existence, to have fun. In July of 1938 the club held a watermelon party at the farm of Jimmy Clemens. In 1938 the membership was up to 33 members. The events were expanded to a "Treasure Hunt" and a "Motorcycle Escort" for a baby parade. Later that year club members sold "Lansdale Theater Tickets" to benefit the Elm Terrace Hospital now known as "Elm Terrace Garden Retirement Home" in Lansdale. The club collected 10 cents on each 35 cent ticket.  At this time the club still held meetings at various members homes.

1939-1942 In 1939 the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club purchased a fourteen- acre property at Pebble Hill near Doylestown Pennsylvania for the sum of $2000 in contemplation of building a T.T. (time trials) course and a clubhouse. Due to the opposition of the residents of the area, it was deemed wise to dispose of the property. The land was sold back to the original owner at a profit of $500. On March 16th. Ralph (hat on crooked) Bookheimer was voted into the club. The year went on as usual, with some member participating in a Fox Chase put on by the Pottstown Motorcycle Club. April 1939, some members are looking into buying ground at Skippack and also renting ground north of Doylestown. Later in 1939, Bob Hallowell won the National TT Championship held near Chattanooga, Tennessee.

About this time motorcycle ½ mile dirt track racing was started in Hatfield, with the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club running the races. The club received 40% of the gate. Mr. Brooks, the promoter of the race received 60%. The admission was 40 cents general admission and 25 cents extra for the grandstand.

It was a much simpler time, for example in the June 9^, 1939 minutes, it was mentioned that the lettering on the clubs trailer cost $5.00. Things were getting better for the club, at the June 23,1939 meeting it was decided to drop the 1% wage donation. The club raised money any way they could, this year they received $16.35 for selling tickets for the Plumstead Fire Company. They were also awarded 1^st prize for the “Best Dressed Club” at the August 5, 1939 Gypsy Tour.

Around this time a vacant schoolhouse was rented near Line Lexington for the purpose of holding meetings. Business was conducted here until World War II started in 1942. Because of the war the membership of the club was Marian & Paul Ely. They sent all of the members serving in the war mimeographed copies of news from the home front and the whereabouts of club members serving throughout the world.

1946-1947After the war many of the club members came back into the club. Meetings were held at the home of Monroe (Pee Wee) Reiter near Colmar PA. Pee Wee owned several club-like open buildings, which were perfect for club activities. At this time the club membership was growing rapidly. In the early years the Indian Motorcycle was the favorite bike of the members. In 1946 the club chanced off an Indian Chief Motorcycle, which was won by J.W. Parker in Dallas Texas.

The proceeds from the drawing were given to Louise Hallowell the wife of Bob Hallowell who was killed earlier that year in a road accident.

Back in Hatfield PA, promotion difficulties at the ½ mile dirt track races the club tried to promote ½ mile racing at the Allentown Fairgrounds Track. Due to a rainout on the main event date and very cool weather on the rain date the venture was not a success. The rental of the Allentown Fairgrounds Track was $500. Membership continued to grow in 1947 with the oldest member, Mr. Bob Henning joining this year.

1948 Membership continued to grow this year to an all time high of 83 members. Paul Ely was awarded a watch and made a lifetime member of the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club in recognition of his continuous activity efforts and in keeping the club together and active during World War II. Later this year the club was back at Hatfield PA. Promoting the ½ mile dirt track races. In 1948 it cost the club $90 to have the AMA sanction an event and $159.50 for rain insurance.

 1949 This year was a year of continued growth for the Blue Comet Motorcycle club. The club continued its activities to raise money to purchase a building. A television set was chanced off with the proceeds going towards the building fund. The minutes from 1949 mention that Stan Myers did a good job at Williams Grove on May 8^th of that year after having broken his shoulder the summer before at the Stevens TT races. Later that year the North Wales Fire Co. gave the Blue Comets a free party. The records do not reflect why.

 1950 “The Year of the New Club House”. After much deliberation, searching and scouting for ground and a clubhouse,  the Blue Comet Motorcycle Club purchased our existing property located in Skippack PA in July of 1950. The building on the property is a 29’x60’ cattle barn structure made of cement block. The “stanchions” the upright poles used to secure the cattle in the barn, were removed, the floor was cemented and the milk house was converted into a small kitchen. The layout of the building remains basically the same today. The original property was 28 acres, 7 of which were sold in 1954 to a neighbor. The profits from that sale were used to reduce the mortgage. Later and additional piece of land would be sold to the Skippack Volunteer Service Corp.

 1951This year the club tried holding a carnival at the new clubhouse and club grounds. The weather was not cooperative. A rainy week took most of the profits. The clubs profit from the event was $33.10. 

 

 

to be continued

 

--------------*********************-------------