Location: Union, NY
Status: Demolished
If you’ve traveled to Endwell, NY by taking Watson Blvd in Westover (which is located by Wegmans and the now Oakdale Commons), you may have noticed a small steel bridge that hangs over one spot of the highway. This bridge leads to what is left of the former IBM Country Club in the Town of Union. This was another spot that I had seen abandoned for years as at the time the outdoor pool that sat on the lower side of the building caught my attention often with its light blue interior. As I got older and more interested in the history behind abandoned structures, I wondered what the buildings attached to this large pool were once used for. Turns out this vacant structure was once owned by the International Business Machines corporation, or simply IBM, who at one point were a huge company in the area. Many employees and their families went to the country club every year decades ago. Now, after over 20 years of standing, the structure was recently demolished. What happened to this once beloved vacation home for many? What led to its closure? These questions and more will be answered as we take a look behind the history of the former IBM Country Club.
The IBM company first started in Endicott, NY in 1911. While this is the case, the history behind one of the buildings that were used for the club dates back even further. In 1799, father and son Ezekial and Oliver Crocker started construction on an estate for Oliver’s family. Oliver and his family came from New England to settle in the newly formed Town of Union. This 2-story house was completed in 1800 and not only housed his family, but also his slaves. This property would become known as the Crocker Estate and the family would live here until 1906 when Binghamton Department Store Owner George Fowler bought the property. It is unknown what Fowler did with the property while he owned it.
An early photo of The Crocker Estate. Source: Binghamton Historical Society.
Around the 1930’s, IBM wanted to have a country club for their employees and their families to enjoy themselves as well as “to encourage and promote health, happiness, and morale among its members and associates, through enjoyment of the athletic and social facilities...” as stated in an organization manual from December 2, 1941. The company purchased the Crocker Estate from Fowler along with another building nearby to make this dream a reality.
Within a few years, the second property acquired by the company wasn’t used as part of the recreational part of the club, but rather a hotel for IBM’s visiting customer executives who came to visit. This property would be known as the “Homestead” and later on would be the hub where students at IBM would study and take classes. Unlike the abandoned location this entry is about, this building would be kept in great shape over the years and is known as Traditions at the Glen Hotel and Spa today.
Many members of the IBM company made use of their memberships to the club over the years as they participated in numerous activities both indoors and outdoors. Sports like golfing, bowling, and more were available to members along with access to any other forms of entertainment that was on the property.
Kids around this time enjoyed playing in the Rec Center as well!
Knowing someone who worked at IBM was key to getting into the club as employees and their families were allowed guests when they came over. This rule was followed often, but there had been times where kids borrowed a member’s pass to get in if they didn’t know anyone who worked for the company. This happened because the country club was such a popular spot to be at during the summer.
There were 4 different memberships each IBM employee held: the Full and Associate memberships for IBM employees or employees of an associate company that was $1 per year, Junior memberships for the children of the employees aged 12-17 years old that was only 50 cents per year, and the Honorary membership which granted free admission for the Board of Governors.
Membership cards from ‘Floyd Bandendistel’ circa 1935-1943. Source: Binghamton Historical Society.
The recreations weren’t the only thing that attracted people as IBM hosted many events on the property from conferences to antique shows and more. Special events occurred as well such as excusive dinner parties and band concerts. People even got married here. By the 1950s, more was coming as additions were being built on the east and west sides of the building. This expansion included a huge gymnasium, outdoor pool, and a meeting space.
A list of upcoming events that happened at the country club leading up to Christmas in 1940.
Source: Binghamton Historical Society.
Employees of IBM and their families enjoyed their time at the country club for many years and have made countless memories. Unfortunately, times would change around the 1980s as the company started to leave the area. Because of this, some employees at IBM would either leave the area with the company or no longer work for them. This resulted in the country club having less members as the years went on.
Times were changing and so was IBM. In 1994, the company changed the name of its property from the IBM Country Club to the Heritage Country Club & Conference Center. The reason behind the name change was to, “reflect the company’s strategy to bring more outside meetings and events to the recreational and meeting facility”. In other words, the country club would be no longer exclusive to IBM employees and would be available for public use. Some have mentioned this was decided so the company can still receive revenue for keeping the building operating. Memberships started to sell the following year and although people bought them, it wasn’t enough the keep it open. The property closed and was left abandoned in the late 1990s as the IBM company was fully out of the area by 2002.
The former Heritage/IBM Country Club was left abandoned for many years and has gone through numerous owners who each have had an idea on what to do with it but never saw the light of day due to the state of the property. The conditions worsen after a massive flood hit the Southern Tier in 2006. On top of the horrible conditions, three men were murdered outside of the former country club a year later in 2007 after an outside investor was upset about losing money in a deal for the building. After this, many people were scared to even step foot on the land but it had to be sold one way or another.
The property was put up for auction in October of that year with an opening bid of $200,000. Even though the crowd was able to tour the facility before they had a chance to bid, only 2 people ended up bidding because of the horrible conditions and the ending amount was $300,000. This offer was rejected because the then owner of the building wanted more money for it despite the inside of the buildings smelling of mold, the paint chipping from the walls, and the extensive amount of damage done by the massive flood. Some even though the building would have to be demolished given its condition.
“Former Heritage Country Club fails to get a buyer at auction” Source: Binghamton Historical Society.
The former Heritage/IBM Country Club would be left to rot for over 20 years and by May of 2022, the property was declared condemned due to dangerous conditions. It was also announced months later that the site would soon be demolished and replaced with a 75-unit affordable housing complex, making it another victim of demolition by neglect like most buildings that were once in the area. Luckily, I was able to get photos of the former country club from the outside before its demolished date. Those photos will be available in the gallery.
A rendering of the new housing complex soon to replace the former IBM Country Club. Source: Binghamton Historical Society.
The first building to be demolished on the property was the historical Crocker Estate in early November. Since this structure was an iconic part of the former IBM Country Club, the public was given a chance to get a brick from the house as a memento. Most people who went to this event either were employed by IBM long ago, use to go to the country club as kids, or are simply history lovers. Each person was limited to 1 or 2 bricks.
Pile of bricks on ‘Get-a-brick day’. Source: Pressconnects.
While demolishing the Crocker Estate, a time capsule was found inside the cornerstone of the building. The contents are set to be revealed at the groundbreaking of the new complex in spring of 2023. All other items that were found within the buildings during demolition were donated to the Endicott Heritage Museum.
A time capsule labeled ‘1951’ will be preserved until its opening in the spring. Source: Pressconnects.
The former IBM Country Club was once a staple in the Southern Tier as many people who were employed within the company had a chance to unwind there with family and friends. Some of the kids who spent countless summers there still remember those fun times as adults today. Even though it was beloved by some members of the community, demolition was for the best since the future of this property has been unknown for decades. Despite it disappearing, the former country club will always be a part of IBM’s history in the community.
This has been the story behind the former IBM Country Club.
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