The Cincinnati fishing club

Opening of their new quarters at Put-in-Bay. 

A pretty and comfortable home for anglers of the queen city. 

     For many years the islands of Lake Erie have possessed irresistible charms for the disciples of Isaac Walton and their famous fish­ing grounds are now known all over the American continent. Their near proximity to Sandusky, which is well known to be the greatest fresh water fish market in the world, makes our city headquarters for tourists who frequent these popular resorts. Among the group of islands, none are more frequently visited by piscatorial pleasure seekers than historic Put-in-Bay. To Ohioans, and particularly to Cincinnati people, Put-in-Bay has attractions that are unequaled by any other place on earth. That there is no mistake about this is evidenced by the frequent visitations of queen city dwellers. Col. Wm. B, Smith, a connoisseur in the piscatorial art, is the leading spirit among Cincinnati's expert anglers.

About one year ago col. Smith succeeded in purchasing about eleven acres of the J.De Rivera estate transferred to the Cincinnati fishing club, who have beautified the grounds and built the pretty club house that now adorns the spot.p; 

The location of the new clubhouse is near the northwest part of the island and is known as Oak Point. It is but a short distance east of the government fish hatchery, which is about the most conspicuous structure in that locality.

Mr. George Feick, of Sandusky, was the architect of the new clubhouse and the builder was Mr. George Gascoyne, of Put-in-Bay, the dimensions of the main part are 36 by 50 feet and in connection there is an L 20 by 24 feet. It is two stories high, with ceilings 10½ and 9½ feet respectively. It is a frame structure with interior oil finish in natural pine. The plumbing and gas fitting was provided by Brohl & Appel, of Sandusky, and the gas making machinery was put in by Cincinnati parties. The main reception room is reached by a large front hall in which is also an open stairway leading to the upper floor. Heat for the reception room radiates from a pressed brick fireplace that is not only built for comfort but ornament as well. A dining room, kitchen, storeroom, butler's pantry, dish pantry, refrigerator and lavatory are also included in the complement of apartments on the first floor. 

Up stairs are eleven sleeping rooms, each having two beds, and additional room for sleeping is provided in the attic. The upper floor has also a lavatory and closet. The building lacks nothing in the comforts of modern improvements. It is fitted throughout for hot and cold water, which comes from a tank in the attic, and nothing seems to have been overlooked by the builder that would make it a model of perfection for the purpose it has been adopted. Surrounding it on nearly all sides is a ten-foot veranda from which members of the club may "hear what the wild waves are saying" and breathe cooling comfort from the gentle lake zephyrs. The clubhouse property complete cost is in the neighborhood of $25,000.

Sandusky Register, August 15, 1893, page 2

Though on three sides the structure has been swept by flames, Hotel Victory still stands, but "Hotel de Feick" is no more, the latter went up in smoke last Wednesday. For a week after the powerhouse was threatened with demolition. The fire smoldered and nearly died, but rekindles afresh and broke out in the tall prairie like grass, brown and dry from the prevailing drought, to northwest of the Victory. The devouring element found ample territory with plenty of material, and fanned by the breeze spread far and wide, crackling through underbrush and making its way to the edge of the timber. Flames curled about the trunks of cedar trees and greedily seizing the resinous branches burned them off one by one until nothing but the charred stem remained. "Hotel de Feick," of happy memory, flourished in the balmy days when its renowned successor, Hotel Victory, was still in embryo. The former, so to speak, was the humble parent of the latter, having been erected for the accommodation of carpenters and builders engaged on the Victory. By whom it was christened does not now appear but the high sounding appell­ation, "Hotel de Feick," was derived from that of the "boss" mechanic and contractor. It was a long, low building, capable of providing with board and lodging seventy-five or 100 men. Having survived its usefulness in that capacity, the boarding house was ultimately and ignominiously converted into a stable, Wednesday night the flames continued spreading though squads of men were fighting them at var­ious points, and in the afternoon of Thursday word reached the Bay that the north woods were on fire and that the residence of Mrs. Reidling, with buildings and orchards adjoining, were threatened with destruction. The Bay fire engine and hose apparatus was ordered out and with all the men available was sent to the scene. The men worked hard all afternoon and at last got the fire under control, but not until a peach orchard belonging to Mrs. Riveria was partially destroyed. Hotel Victory is closed for the season, but the powerhouse and electric road are still in operation and a great many people are passing over the route daily.