About Us
Club History
From a modest Book Club to the most sought-after address in Visakhapatnam — the story of Waltair Club.
Origins
A club built by railway and civilian officers
Waltair Club was established by the officers of the erstwhile East Coast Railway, East Coast Battalion and other civilian officers stationed at Visakhapatnam, way back in 1883, as "the Book Club." It was expanded later on land acquired by those officers from various parties, including Mr Perla Narayana Chetty and Mr Bhaumi Sohucar. The land, which was rocky, was levelled to construct the present Club buildings.
Waltair Club’s annexure was built for storing large stocks of provisions and goods imported directly by the Club, functioning as a commissary for members. It was handed over to Spencer & Co. in 1908 until they ceased operations in 1920. Horse stables and carriage sheds were maintained by the Club for its members until 1930, when automobiles entered the transport sector.
It was Waltair Club that brought the first rays of electric light to Visakhapatnam, in 1912, through two diesel generators supplied by Messrs. Crompton Engineering Company. The erstwhile Maharaja of Bobbili, Mr V.S. Ranga Rao, donated the Club’s first band stand, where a regular band played weekly to entertain members and their families. The practice of presenting Christmas gifts to Club employees, begun in 1904 by then-president R.H. Campbell, ICS, continues to this day.
Timeline
Milestones through the years
1883
Founded by officers of the East Coast Railway, East Coast Battalion and civilian officers stationed in Visakhapatnam, functioning initially as the Book Club.
1896
Peter Singh, who joined the Club as its butler, was given full charge of the Club under honorary secretary Mr D.W. Mc-Pherson.
1904
The tradition of presenting Christmas gifts to Club employees began under then-president R.H. Campbell, ICS — a practice continued for generations.
1908
The Club's annexure, built for storing provisions imported directly by the Club, was handed to Spencer & Co., who ran it until 1920.
1912
Waltair Club brought the first rays of electric light to Visakhapatnam, through two diesel generators supplied by Messrs. Crompton Engineering Company.
1930
Horse stables and carriage sheds, maintained for the convenience of members, were retired as automobiles entered the transport sector.
1960
The Waltair Club Souvenir is published, preserving first-hand reminiscences of the Club's early decades from members including W. Francis and Capt. E.H. Glassup.
1983
The Jubilee Hall is constructed; new chambers follow the next year.
1993
The Health Club and the air-conditioned Pub open, expanding the Club's recreational offerings.
2001
New Chambers of 19 rooms are inaugurated beside the Wills Pub, the beginning of a major expansion of guest accommodation.
2011
The Pavilion — the Club's largest project to date, a six-floor RCC structure with two air-conditioned banquet halls and a modern kitchen — is inaugurated.
Memories of the Club
In the members' own words
W. Francis reminisces
"As far as my knowledge goes, the Club was established in 1883. My late father joined its services in 1886 as a servant. Earlier, it was functioning as a military mess house. When the East Coast Railway was set up at Waltair, the Examiner of Accounts, Mr D.W. Mc-Pherson, joined the Club as its honorary secretary. He was instrumental in expanding the Club by setting up a bar, constructing chambers, billiards room etc. I joined the Club in 1899, during the service of late Commander J Clarke R.I.M. (Retired) who was residing in its chambers. On Mondays, 'at home' parties used to be organised on the tennis court for kids and women who played racquet, badminton, shuttle-cock and other sports. The band of E.G. Vols used to entertain the members from 5 to 6 p.m. at the tennis court and from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Club twice in a week. The members used to play polo, cricket and hockey at Waltair R.S. and at the Vizag Police Grounds, when players from Vizianagaram used to participate. Moonlit picnics were organised at the beach, Lawson's Bay and in the Valley Gardens near the Dolphin's Nose. In 1901, Mr G. Paddison, ICS Special Assistant agent, Koraput, was wounded by a bison while hunting tigers. He was awarded a knighthood and titled Sir George Paddison. The head of the bison he had shot is still there in the Club."
— Waltair Club Souvenir, 1960
Capt E.H. Glassup goes down memory lane
"I joined the Waltair Club in 1937, when there were only 30 Resident Members. Though people used to refer to it as the English Club, there were a few Indian members such as the Rajahs, the Railway, IMS and IP Officers who were top 'Drawer' Indians. Members attending the Club after 6 p.m. had to strictly follow the dress code — 'Fish and Chips' evening dress, which in the summers used to be Red Sea Kit comprising a white shirt with long sleeves, black bow, white long pants, black cummerbund with black evening shoes and black socks. Ladies used to turn up in long evening frocks and were not permitted to enter the Billiards Room, which was strictly for men. The call for a drink was 'Koi Hai', and when the bearer appeared, he was asked 'Pucho.' It was mostly a pow peg (½ chota peg). A burra peg was ordered only when a member was drinking with a friend."
— Waltair Club Souvenir, 1960