'Exclusive' club a piece of city history

Iroquois Club still going strong 47 years later

Last year, Larry and I were invited to join the super-secret Iroquois Club. We'd apparently appeared calm, cool and collected enough despite 90-degree temperatures, high humidity and high pressure to pass muster at the annual luau and be voted in.
OK, it's not really super secret and yes, while not just anyone can join, this isn't a hoity-toity, must be in a certain tax-bracket or professional level group by any means.
What is it then? A real piece of Brentwood history, that's what.
In fact, just last weekend, the club celebrated its 47th year in the beautiful Iroquois Estates' backyard of Barbara and Bit Brown. I'm telling you, if my acre looked like theirs, I'd never talk about moving to a Town Center condo and giving it up again. Alas, it doesn't.
Let's get back to the club. Though the city is celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the Iroquois Club formed seven years earlier, in 1962, soon after the first Iroquois Estates' homes were built. In its early years, the neighborhood was home to several well-known country music stars, producers and musicians though I don't think they were club members. We live in the home that Stu Phillips built, right next door to the one Ralph Emery and Skeeter Davis lived in. The list goes on.
Ann and Bob McGowan, who moved to Williamsburg Road in 1963, now reign as the club's king and queen. Jenny and Pat Yokom and Barbara and Bit Brown joined in the late '60s.
Last week, Ann entertained us with a history of the neighborhood and the club. In 1963, when only 28 houses had been built, 13 couples belonged to the club. Better than the history were the tales of parties past.
Let's see. Seems there was a road rally that some members thought would never find a finish line. And a progressive dinner that opened with punch at the home of a liquor-store owner. Apparently the punch had a little more power than anyone except the host knew about. Needless to say, the group was a little late getting to the McGowens for the main course.
Luaus, Mardi Gras and Derby parties, fish fries, square dances, pig roasts and holiday parties have been par for the course over the years. And while some members have moved on to other houses over the years, if they've stayed in the area, all have remained in the club.
You know how I mentioned that the club really isn't so exclusive? I can prove it. The Iroquois Club membership now includes residents of Meadowlake, that "new" subdivision that now adjoins the original one.