Thirty-three years ago (1968), the first UW-Green Bay Union formed in a lounge area at the Deckner Campus, which is now the Anne Sullivan School located on Deckner Avenue in east Green Bay.
In 1969, when the campus relocated to its present location, the Union moved to the Shorewood Clubhouse. This building was located next to the present Shorewood Club but closer to the bay.
Shorewood West was originally a private country clubhouse for the Green Bay area, as part of an 18-hole golf course. Any golfers out there, would have loved this course!
Shorewood West had locker rooms for the golfers and the soccer team, a room for playing ping pong, a very large bar room with one foosball table, one pool table, and lots of tables and chairs for student and guests to relax and enjoy themselves. A variety of alcoholic (for legal-age students) and non-alcoholic beverages, pizzas, and popcorn were served to students, faculty and staff. From the bar room one could walk into a large rustic meeting room with lots of windows overlooking the bay, a high vaulted ceiling and knotty pine walls, and in the center of the room was a beautiful field stone fireplace. Inviting, comfortable cushioned couches and chairs provided opportunity for exciting conversations and student naps.
Above the fireplace mantel was a metal sculpture of a Phoenix that mysteriously disappeared after one of the many student events, and surprisingly ended up propped outside on top of the roof. To this day, it has still not been discovered how the sculpture moved to the roof.
In 1971 an additional building, Shorewood East was built on that site. A cafeteria was needed for our students during the day, that could be converted into space for large dances and other types of events as needed.
Shorewood East and West were very popular buildings on weekends. On numerous occasions, 500 people participated in the dances. Many big Chicago blues bands, hard rock, and other types of bands were hosted in Shorewood East.
In April of 1977, the Commons was built, which is part of the present Union building. A few years after the Commons was built, Shorewood West was torn down and Shorewood East became what is now the Shorewood Clubhouse.
Contributed by:
Poppy Grant
Union Event Coordinator
Photos Courtesy of:
University of Wisconsin-Green Bay Archives
