The Hugo Ladies Club - Hugo, Oregon

The Hugo Ladies Club was next on our Josephine County Historical Society's "Passport To History" program.

Back in 1883, the area was only known as "Gravel Pit," and it was a "flag station" for the railroad; which meant it was not a scheduled stop, but you could "flag down" the train, and it would stop for you.

The present building was built in 1894, and was the "Lucky Queen" school until 1896.

In 1895, May Hall Henny applied for a post office for the town of Hugo (named for Hugo Garbers, a local cherry farmer).

The building then became the Hugo School from 1896 to 1912, and thereafter became the Sexton Grange until March 31, 1931 when the Hugo Community Club (men only) bought it for $1.00. In 1940 the Hugo Ladies Club purchased the building from the Hugo Community Club for $67.00.

The Hugo Ladies Club has changed their name several times over the years. In the beginning they called themselves the "Ladies Circle," and then "Ladies Club."

A member of the club, Dr. Mabel Holgate, donated many books to the Hugo library in 1935, which was under their sponsorship. A stamp inside the books read "Hugo Ladies Club", and that is the name they have settled in as.

The club was first organized in 1922, and met in one another's homes.

The Hugo Ladies Club presently has 49 members, and are widely known for their quilting expertise and their charitable nature. They began early on making blankets and clothing for their "less fortunate" neighbors.

"Schoolhouse Quilters" was added to the name in the 1970's. Even though the Hugo Ladies Club has gone through several name changes over the years, the core purpose and goal of the club has remained steadfast -- They are "exceptionally charitable!"

From quilts created for the Red Cross to current projects to aid our Veterans, they are the most giving and charitable group we have found.

Today, these ladies are hard at work creating more "masterpieces" to raise money so that they may help others.

The club has kept "minutes" of their meetings throughout the years, but notably absent is any record of meetings from December 7th, 1941 until 1945.

The entire second World War period was not documented, even though current members are sure their predecessors continued their charities throughout the crisis.

Could this have been out of respect? I guess it will remain a mystery.

Check with the Hugo Ladies Club and find out how you can enter the raffles for their exquisite and sought after creations.

They raffle two quilts each year; one during the Pottsville celebration and the other at their annual quilt show, which is held on the first Friday and Saturday in October.

This year, the Hugo Ladies Club quilt show will be held on October 1st and 2nd. Plan on attending so you can see some of their priceless quilts for yourself.

Please visit the Josephine County Historical Society's website for more information on the Passport To History program.

Below are the links to my earlier Josephine County Historical Society's Passport To History blogs.

Introduction Caveman Schmidt House

Blind George's Newsstand Grants Pass Historic Homes Tour

Historic District Tour Grants Pass Pharmacy Rogue Theatre

Hugo Community Church Haines Apple Tree Ament Dam

Grants Pass Cemeteries Pottsville Sportsman Park

Griffin Park Lake Selmac Granite Hill Cemetery

Pleasant Valley Cemetery Josephine County Bridges

Grants Pass Fire Department Reinhart Volunteer Park Wolf Creek Inn

Applegate Trail Interpretive Center Golden Townsite

Grave Creek Covered Bridge Robertson Bridge

Wilderville Store and Post Office Wilderville Cemetery

Granite Tombstone Quarry Merlin Park - Veterans Walk of Honor

Gotcher Cemetery Provolt Store Missouri Flat Cemetery

Siskiyou Smokejumper Base Rough & Ready Botanical Wayside

Rough & Ready Lumber Co. Pacifica, A Garden In The Siskiyous

Riverside Park Daily Courier Daily Courier "Boss" Voorhies

Barnstormers Theatre Ghosts In Southern Oregon National Monument

The Chateau at Oregon Caves National Monument

Oregon Caves National Monument