Central Beagle Club History
The Central Beagle Club was organized November 10, 1896. It was the fourth beagle club to be organized in the United States. The National Beagle Club, which is the oldest and the parent Club was the second club to be organized and run a trial, and their first trial was ran at White Plains, Wisconsin in 1893. According to the record book, they just had on judge for this trial-John Davidson.
The records show the Northwestern Beagle Club didn't run any trials after 1901. This last trial was held at Watertown, Wisconsin and although there is still a Northwestern Beagle Club in existence in Indiana, this club has no connection with the old Northwestern which was in Wisconsin, and the present Western Beagle Club, which is one of the old-timers, is an offshoot of this club.
So the Central would be the third oldest club running continuous trials in the country today - the National, the New England and the Central.
When it was first organized, and for several years after, it was what could be called roving club. It is interesting to note that the Central ran its first trial at Waynesburg. The second trial was ran at Rice's Landing on November 9, 1897. Dr. Johnson and J.W. Simpson judged the second trial.
After moving several times, from various locations in Ohio and Pennsylvania, until finally ending up in Saxonburg in 1923. The club continued to run at Saxonburg with their headquarters at the old Mineral Springs Hotel until they purchased their present running area located between Bakerstown and Harmarville, PA where the club has continued to hold their trials ever since.
