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Gordon Blackhall was the original owner of the property where West Branch is located. He also, along with others, helped to start the club and keep it going.
Gordon Blackhall |
Gordon and Bob Falls and five others that I don't remember, chartered and incorporated West Branch in 1955.
Bob Falls |
I got acquainted with Bob Falls when we were members of Lakewood Gun Club at the old City Ice and Fuel Co., where we shot pistol late 40's and early 50's. I learned of Gordon's property at a Boy Scout Honor Court that I attended with my oldest son. I liked what I saw and joined West Branch in 1956. A short time later, John Daly, one of the originals, became President, I became Vice President, Bob Falls retained his post as Secretary, Dr. Gross, Treasurer. As a team, we were successful in hosting the Ohio State Pistol Championship Matches two years in a row at West Branch during the mid 60's.
During this period, John Daly passed away and I took over his duties. At the next meeting I was elected President, Steve Marnix, Vice President, and since Dr. Gross had given up shooting, Bob Falls combined Secretary and Treasurer. I stayed in office 13 yrs. During that time, Bob Falls passed away and Bill Heppner assumed the office of Secretary - Treasurer. John Nosse followed me as President. With the increased membership over the years, the office of Secretary - Treasurer was split again, with John Venier being our present capable Treasurer. All of these through the years have been supported by capable officers, volunteers and members too numerous to mention.
To relate more about Gordon and his influence on the club, he was our official Warden. Every time a round went off, he would check and make sure the shooter was playing by the rules. He was our official grass cutter for many years, and all without compensation. There were two organizations that helped hold the club together -- ODC (Ohio Defense Corp) and the I.O.O.B. (International Order Of Old B-----ds). We used to shoot with and against the ODC in all forms of shooting. I became a member of the IOOB during WW2 in the Pacific, when it was started in Australia. I introduced it to the club, we got Gordon appointed Deputy Arch B-----d, and we became a chapter. Gordon was big in Scouting for many years and also spent a month every summer as a volunteer at Camp Perry. During his scouting years, Gordon earned the nickname of M.O.M., (Mean Old Man). The old-timers of the club knew that without Gordon there would be no West Branch.
Another group that played a major part in developing the range was the Ohio National Guard. We got acquainted with 1st Sgt. Breckenridge at the Front St. Armory where they were stationed and Lakewood had moved to the basement as an indoor range. The Sgt. offered to use our property as a training area. They moved in heavy equipment, cleaned and widened the creek, relocated the road, rebuilt the bridge, and built the large building on the pistol range. All this for their expendables. Love the ONG.
These are some of the highlights I remember from the early
years of the club. I didn't mention the many dedicated officers and volunteers who have kept the
club going during the more recent years, and for this I apologize.
Ralph Gerding |