The Southern Club, Inc.

For 60 years, young engineers in central New Jersey created a unique lifestyle that featured communal living, inexpensive accommodations, myriad social activities and plenty of sports activities.

Originally founded as the Southern Gentlemen's Club in 1932, the Southern Club started in Elizabeth, New Jersey as a social club for Southern-born engineers, most of whom were working for the Standard Oil Company of Bayonne. The Club was incorporated in New Jersey from 1932 until 1986. The first Club residence was at 810 North Broad Street in Elizabeth, NJ. This estate offered a swimming pool, tennis courts, and with the combined contributions of 32 members, the Club was able to afford a full time staff of four housekeepers and one cook. Services included linen and laundry service, breakfast and dinner, as well as having a clean house and pool.

They moved to a residence in Cranford for a number of years. In 1969 they changed residence to a 9-bedroom mansion at 996 Central Avenue in Plainfield, New Jersey. This house featured a 3-car garage, basketball court and a heart-shaped swimming pool. They had between 10 and 12 members living at the house.

They remained there until January, 1987, when skyrocketing housing prices and an unfriendly landlord, Felix Alexis, led to an unaffordable situation. They moved to a temporary rental in Whitehouse Station for six months, until they pooled their resources, and purchased a mansion on 937 Hillside Avenue in Plainfield. The Southern Club survived there until 1989, when repairs to the dilapidated house became unbearable, they disbanded, and abandoned the building.

The Southern Club was overseen by a President, Treasurer and Secretary, as well as various committees. Monthly meetings were held for all members, and all decisions were made by a simple majority vote.