While heaping its luxuriant praise, the newspaper insisted, however, that all this was not a mere display of what today might be called eye-candy.
With “a keen appreciation of the fact that this opening means the introduction of many progressive and educating influences into local social life,” it said, “the affair has been regarded universally as in the nature of an important factor in the advancement of Springfield’s interests, and this in many other senses that a purely social one.”
Days later, the Springfield Weekly Republic would add a comment in that regard: “In the Lagonda Club house the town has something to show, something for strangers to talk about when they talk about Springfield, that is advertising and that is what the Champion-Home-Convention city wants.”
Still, for social splendor, the city had never seen its equal.
“If elegance, splendor, brilliancy and elaborateness were the features of receptions held by the monarchs in centuries gone by,” intoned The Daily Sun the next morning, “they would have certainly been in their element if allowed to enjoy the scene of last evening. Such dreams of beauty and elegance are seldom seen, and as one of the guests incidentally remarked, it seemed as if the furnishings were too nice to use.”
Describing the gowns seen that evening as “dreams of beauty and elegance” chosen as if to be “in perfect harmony with the many fragrant flowers of all varieties” on display, The Daily Sun also remarked on the “noticeable absence of that stiffness and ceremony which is sometimes evident at swell receptions” — a relaxed tone “which added greatly to the enjoyment of the affair.”
Four hundred members and guests arrived at 8 p.m., enjoyed a sumptuous lunch served at 9, then dancing at 10 in the building designed by Dayton architect Frank M. Andrews, designer of the state Capitols of both Kentucky and Montana.
The club’s main reception hall was executed in manly fashion in the Empire style.
“The chairs are upholstered in red leather, the table is covered with red leather, even the mantel over the fireplace is covered with red leather,” the Times Republic said.
“The chandeliers in the lounging room are of heavy brushed brass, designed after a too pecial oriental pattern In the center of the front room is an oriental retreat, both very rich and very cosy.
“Every feature of this retreat is thoroughly Moorish,” the account said, “the fret work, the upholstery, the velour, the solid mahogany tabourets.
Featuring “an elegant, plush window seat” dotted with silken pillow and rich velvet, the ladies reception room was “the finest in the building,” the Times Republic said.
Hangings and upholstery were done in satin and damask, woodwork in white and gold, and electric fixtures in ormolu helped to illuminate an Axminster carpet and a large pier glass that was “the finest ever seen in the city.”
Cutting edge technology also added to the splendor of the building.
At a buffet in the dining room sat a “remarkable refrigerator ... so constructed that many currents of cold air, rendered to any desired degree of temperature, are thrown up on the bottle containing the wine,” the story said. “It is guaranteed that a bottle of champagne can be chilled to a frappe in 20 minutes.”
Likewise, in the pink ballroom, the aforementioned 100 lights were “so arranged that they may all be turned on at once or alternately or even individually at the will of the manipulator,” all lighting a floor that was “a marvel of elegance.”
Even the billiards room — “simply the finest to be fitted up” — held a fragile, if elegant, surprise. Resting on the finest tables, awaiting to be addressed with the best of cues were pool balls “so sensitive that a sudden lowering of the temperature would cause them to burst asunder,” the account said, “though they are made of the finest ivory from Zanzibar.”
The Lagonda Club did, in fact, fulfill some of its promises to serve a larger purpose in the city.
Among the guests it hosted over its 27-year life were Vice President Charles Fairbanks, whose moneyed family built the Fairbanks Building still standing at the northwest corner of Fountain Avenue and Main Street; former Antioch College president and then U.S. Sen. Simeon D. Fess, discussing “Our Diplomatic Relations; Eugene Zimmerman and C.F. Lafferty, officials of the Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railway; and Ohio Gov. Frank B. Willis.
Still, the club may never have surpassed what it achieved on its glorious opening night — an occasion The Daily Sun called “the biggest social event in Springfield’s history.”
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