Our Home - Early History

The West Side Democratic and Civic Club was the result of the  Democratic ticket victory  in the South Bend City Election of 1929. At the time, the country was in economic turmoil and the Great Crash of 1929 had just occurred. A group of West Side residents had supported all of the successful Democratic candidates. The ballot included Riley Hinkle, Mayor; Al Hosinski, City Judge; Stephen Grzeskowiak, 6th District Councilman; and Joseph Joworski, 2nd District Councilman.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The victory not only rewarded the efforts of the grassro0ts West Side citizens, it inspired them to continue to perpetuate their influence in city, county, state and national elections.  The election of Al Hosinski as Judge was a precedent for Polish Americans all over the U.S., not just in South Bend. His election inspired citizen participation in politics throughout the 5th and 6th districts which was the highest it had ever been.

From this  intersection of the successful election ticket and the great renewal of interest in local politcs the idea for the present West Side Democratic and Civic Club was born.

The early organizers were Stephen Grzeskowiak, Sylvester Wroblewski, Joseph Gadacz, John Radecki, Frank Grzeszczyk, Casimer Lisek, John Plencner, Ignacy Kazmierczak, Stanley Muszynski, Casimer Fiwek, and Joseph Moskwinski.

Stephen Grzeskowiak served as temporary Chairman at the early organization meetings and steered the young organization to its first official meeting at St. Adalbert’s Parish Hall on February 20, 1930 where an ballot was organized to elect the first permanent officers.  All of the meetings were held at St. Adalbert’s Parish Hall until 1945 when a building at the corner of Ford and Warren streets in South Bend was purchased for $9,000. An increasing membership and the expansion of club functions and events  made remodeling necessary. In 1950 a remodeling and beautification program was instituted at a cost of $76,000. It was completed in 1951.

Today

We are striving to rebuild the club as a neighborhood and city institution. With the surge of the Democratic party nationally in 2008, we hope to build on that locally. We are currently in the process of reorganizing and have started a building fund. On Tuesday, May 20, 2008 the Club will have officially joined the 21st century with the inauguration of our high speed internet service which will enable us to provide free Wi-Fi service for all club members who patronize the club rooms. We are having a targeted membership drive throughout the city this year and hope to have increased our membership significantly by the Presidential election of 2008. We will be live-blogging Election Night when the presidential returns come in this November

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To contact us:

617 S WARREN STREET

SOUTH BEND, IN 46619

 

 

Phone: 574-287-4091

Fax: 574-287-4091

E-mail: westsidedems@gmail.com

West Side Democratic & Civic Club

South Bend, Indiana

Wikipedia Entry on Dyngus Day in

South Bend and elsewhere in Indiana

In South Bend, Indiana, the day marks the official beginning to launch the year's political primary campaign season (particularly among Democrats)- often from within the West Side Democratic Club, the M.R. Falcons Club, and local pubs and fraternal halls, where buying drinks is favored over handshaking. Notable politicos who have celebrated Dyngus Day in South Bend include the late Robert F. Kennedy, former Governor Joe Kernan, Senator Evan Bayh, former Congressman John Brademas, former Maryland Lt. Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, former Congressman and 9/11 Commission member Timothy J. Roemer, former President Bill Clinton, and Aloysius J. Kromkowski, long time elected St. Joseph County public servant, for whom the "Al Kromkowski polka" is named.

Robert F. Kennedy's 1968 appearance was marked by his downtown rally attended by a crowd of over 6,000, his participation in the Dyngus Day parade, and his leading of the crowds at the West Side Democratic Club in the traditional Polish well wishing song Sto Lat (phonetic: 'sto la') which means "100 years". Indiana was RFK's first primary and first primary victory, which set in motion momentum and victories that would have led to his nomination as the Democratic Party candidate for President had he not been assassinated.

Starting in 2004, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana began celebrating Dyngus Day at the request of South Bend students. The event includes free Polish sausage for students as well as a free concert.

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