A Brief History of the LaSalle Yacht Club
LaSalle Yacht Club was initially organized in 1936 by a small group of residents in the LaSalle area of Niagara Falls, who felt there was a need for a boating and social organization in the city. Nearly 50 Members became Charter Members and later that year the Club was incorporated.
The first Clubhouse was located at the upper end of Cayuga Island, a little distance upstream and across the Little Niagara River from where the explorer LaSalle built the Griffon, the first sailing vessel on the upper Great Lakes. Appropriately, an outline of the Griffon was selected as the Club’s emblem on its burgee.
Due to the rapid increase in its membership, the Clubhouse and waterfront facilities became inadequate within a few years. After reviewing the problems involved in expanding its facilities at that location, it was decided to attempt to relocate on the larger Niagara River. The present Club property was purchased 10 years later (1946).
This involved an expenditure of some $50,000 – an immense sum for such a young organization. Initially, the original Clubhouse building, which had been the residence of a former Niagara Falls city mayor, was expanded to provide for a dining room and kitchen, in addition to the bar and other necessary facilities.
Several other improvements to the Clubhouse were made during the next few years. In addition, a new seawall, the first dock and its subsequent extension and additional boat slips were also built during that period. In the middle 50’s, it became apparent that the Clubhouse and waterfront were inadequate for the continuing increase in its membership and the number of boats. Consequently, a major expansion and remodeling of those facilities was undertaken in 1959, at a cost of more than $100,000. This program included expanding the Clubhouse floor area by nearly 100 percent (kitchen, dining room, chartroom lounge) providing for more meeting rooms and building a new sail loft. Further extension of the dock and additional boat slips was made in 1961.
Since that time, numerous improvements have been made to the interior, exterior of the Clubhouse and the waterfront facilities of which include renovation of the docks, Jet Ski accommodations, covered pavilion with canvas sides and a fire pit.
In 2023, alongside the essential ongoing maintenance and repairs, LYC embarked on a series of ambitious projects designed to elevate the experience for both members and visitors. A cornerstone of these improvements was the creation of our new Waterfront Patio. This thoughtfully designed space dramatically expands our outdoor dining capacity, offering a choice between covered and open-air seating. Furthermore, the patio features a comfortable lounge area, centered around a welcoming fireplace, where guests can unwind with a cocktail or a carefully selected bottle of wine. This new waterfront amenity not only provides a stunning setting for social gatherings and relaxation but also represents a significant investment in the overall ambiance and appeal of the club.
In 2026, LaSalle Yacht Club is celebrating 90 years of great boating and wonderful memories.
