Svithiod
The Svithiod Order was founded in Chicago, IL December 3, 1880 by eight men of Swedish extraction. At that time there were many Swedes coming over from the old country and forming a fraternal order was one way of giving these newcomers a place in which to meet others from Sweden. For many years this became THE meeting place for Swedish Americans.
It is fitting and proper to remind ourselves of the background of the Svithiod Order. The name “Svithiod” is of pre-historic origin, dating back thousands of years and is the oldest known name of the kingdom of the Swedish people and the country in which they lived. In our ritualistic work it is pointed out that the origin of the order is based on ancient Swedish history. From this source also came the inspiration for the name of the order.
The Swedish people, composed of Sviar and Goths, comprise one of the oldest races in Europe. Many centuries later, these Goths migrated to southern Europe, conquer Rome and built the Gothic Empire. The earliest inscriptions to be found of Svithiod are on stones in characters of the ancient Runic or Gothic alphabet.
In the word Svithiod the first portion: Svi” is believed to be an abbreviation of Sviar = Swedish. The latter portion “thiod” has been interpreted as meaning home in Gothic, so literally the name “Svithiod” meant home or land of the Swedish people.
Centennial 1980
Svithiod Journal
HISTORY OF THE SVITHIOD CLUB of MOLINE, IL
The Club was originally formed to provide an atmosphere to promote social intercourse among its members, accept voluntary contributions and to provide certain benefits to its members.
The “men’s only club” first meetings were held in a house on 7th Avenue between 15th and 16th streets, which was owned by the “club”. Meetings were held at that location for a few years when it became necessary to obtain a larger building.
In 1934 the building at 1522 6th Avenue was for sale as the owner ran a speak-easy on the second floor, and since prohibition had been repealed his business was no longer profitable. This building provided the additional club room space required, and the 1st floor was rented to a sporting goods store which helped defray the added expense of maintaining a building of this size. During the first years of occupancy, sleeping rooms were rented to unmarried members which was attractive as a reading room was provided and the club area was at hand. Finances were in good shape as the property on 7th Avenue was rented to the city for a parking lot, which was sold to the city some years later, the sleeping rooms rent was regular and the 1st floor was consistently rented to various businesses.
A liquor license was obtained in March 1934 and has been maintained ever since. The current bar was built at less than $400.00 which included electrical and plumbing.
The small membership grew at a very slow pace for the next few years, but in the mid 1940’s the growth rate increased considerably and it became necessary to expand. In 1954 an extension was added to the club room which took in approximately 8 feet of the back porch. Then in 1964 the building was extended to the alley. The second floor addition was finished as a dance/banquet hall and housed a new furnace and air conditioner. The 1st floor of this addition was not finished and was used as a parking garage for bartenders. The membership was maintained at a very high level as both the “club” and Frej Lodge #16” held many functions that attracted the entire membership. As the years passed, the membership began to decline as the original members were getting too old to negotiate the flight of stairs and there was no emphasis of any kind for a membership drive. As a means to create some kind of interest in the club, an annual picnic was started in 1972. This proved to be quite popular and held many of the members that would have otherwise dropped out of the club. Two dinners a month was maintained and since it was a “male only” club the female spouse was admitted free of charge. The second dinner of the month was designated as the “Birthday Dinner” and the dinner was free to any member with a birthday in that particular month.
In 1981 the by-laws were changed to permit females to become club members and receive the same benefits as the male members. This was the end of the “male only club” and even though some of the original male members objected but it gave a boost to the membership and consequently club duties were shared equally.
Even though the 1st floor was constantly rented, it became financially impossible to maintain the building without additional income. In February 1986 the lease for the 1st floor expired and the board of directors decided that the only way club could hope to attract new members and expand was to move the club to the 1st floor. Remodeling the existing 1st floor to a suitable club room would be quite expensive and with the club practically “broke”, approximately $26,000.00 worth of bonds were sold at an interest rate of 8%. With this money and volunteer labor, except the electrical and a portion of the plumbing, all of the front half of the 1st floor was completed.
The bar was opened September 20, 1986, which was later than expected, but with all volunteer labor it was considered very fortunate to be open at all. The response was overwhelming and the membership began to grow immediately. After a few weeks of operation it became a reality that the club would continue to and overcome the huge debt and be able to pay-off the bonds sooner than originally anticipated. A grand opening was held in October 1986 and had such dignitaries as the current Congressman of the United States, Mayor of East Moline, a Moline Alderman and the Board of Directors of the Club. As expected, this prompted a huge turnout and the ribbon cutting was carried out with all the usual fanfare. Pictures were taken and published in the Moline Dispatch. Even though this newly remodeled business would eventually add one or two additional employees, there was no “small business loan money” available. This was strictly a club undertaking and proved very successful.
As interest in the club, and the desire for additional activities grew, a shuffle board was added and a “club member only” Monday and Friday night league was started the first year in the newly remodeled club room. The fall of 1987 an annual golf tournament was started. The first year anyone was permitted to play regardless if they were members or not, but it became a very popular activity and succeeding years it was limited to “members only”. After the first year in the new surroundings, an anniversary party was held complete with band and all the fanfare that went with it. In 1988 a club “ King and Queen” were elected at the annual picnic and the crowning took place at the next anniversary party. Various other activities were started such as weekly Euchre tournaments. A mid- winter party usually held in February which follows the rituals of the usual New Years Eve parties. This party was complete with a band, hats, horns and a midnight lunch. In this case midnight was 6:00 PM.
As the membership continued to grow, it became necessary to provide additional area to take care of the increase in participation of the various functions that were continually being offered. In February 1989 it was decided to expand and the only available area was the unfinished 1st floor “back room”. Donations from interested members was accumulated and work began. Again this was all volunteer labor, it was necessary to hire a contractor (at a very minimal cost) to excavate approximately three feet of dirt, gravel, bricks, old foundations and even abandoned manhole and cover, to obtain the grade level required to accommodate the construction plans. The plans included a walk-in cooler which was built-in as an integral part of the remodeling and provisions for the addition of restrooms if required in the future. By excavating, this made the ceiling twelve feet high. This, with little or no insulation in the ceiling area made it very hard to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. After a period of fighting the heat and cold, a drop ceiling was installed complete with flush lighting and colored spotlights.
The completed project was accomplished entirely with funds donated from members except for approximately $800.00 that was taken from the club’s treasury.
The vacated “upstairs bar room” is rented for parties, receptions, weddings, birthdays and etc. Also, the 1st floor “back room” is also rented for smaller parties.
Due to the limited space, it became necessary to limit the membership to a maximum of 600 members and this will be maintained under the current circumstances.
THIS DOCUMENT WAS PRESENTED TO THE MEMBERSHIP AT THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY PARTY WHICH WAS HELD ON MARCH 13TH, 1994 AND WILL BE MAINTAINED AND UP-DATED AS CHANGES WARRANT.
John Seabloom
ANNUAL MID-WINTER DINNER/DANCE AND NAMING OF ROYALTY
Past Royalty;
188 – 89 Mary Sandler
1989 – 90 Yvonne Leemans & John Seabloom
1990 – 91 Pat Seabloom & Bill Hartman
1991 – 92 Shirley & Jim Manning
1992 -93 Renee & Larry Stephenson
1993 – 94 Terry Smith & Scott Wilson
1994 – 95 Elanor & Carl Jorgenson
1995 – 96 Bev & John Adams
1996 – 97 Barb & Tom Boyd
1997 – 98 Shirley & Lee Sandler
1998 -99 Jessie Rogers & Steve VanSpeybroeck
What Friends Are For