Arlington (Aladdin) Country Club
Corner of Arlington Ave. & Aladdin Woods Ct. Marble Cliff
This stop takes some imagination as the associated landmark no longer exists.
The Arlington Country Club consisted of 150 acres of wooded rolling ground bounded on the north by homes, on the east by Cambridge Boulevard and on the west by the Scioto River. It was founded in 1895 as a horseback riding club, with a four-hole golf course later developed in approximately 1905 on the site. The course was expanded to nine holes in 1907 spanning the railroad tracks on the west side of Marble Cliff. It was the first country club in central Ohio. The clubhouse, designed by renowned Ohio architect Frank Packard, was located on the crest of the hill, at the far end of the current entrance drive to the cul-de-sac (approximately where homes at 2030 and 2010 Aladdin Woods Court are currently located). Golfers would take steps down to the first tee.
The Arlington Country Club was purchased by the Shriners of the Aladdin Temple in March 1919. The property included 17 acres of grounds, a club house, a bowling house, locker and shower buildings, tennis courts, and the 9-hole golf course. After extensive remodeling and landscaping, it reopened as the Aladdin Country Club, "a place for pleasure, entertainment and exercise" for its members. The club expanded its membership with golf as the major sport. The club served its members until it closed its doors in 1925.
Arlington Country Club circa 1918; to the right is likely a water tower which was commonly found on Marble Cliff properties at the time.
Aladdin Country Club clubhouse with (inset) caddie badge from early 1920s.
Aerial photo taken in late 1950s, looking east, shows the former site of the Aladdin Country Club at the lower right, prior to development of Aladdin Woods.
Attendees at 1917 golf outing at the Arlington Country Club.
Members of the Arlington Country Club enjoying horseback riding, the original leisure pursuit of club members (photo circa 1900). The building in the background with the large chimney was the club’s dance hall.