White Bear Yacht Club

Originally founded in 1889 as a sailing club, the Yacht Club is rich in sailing history and to this day, holds regular regattas while maintaining the largest A boat fleet in the United States. The original clubhouse was actually the Kirby Barnum Hotel which provided overnight accommodations to members that wished to spend their weekends on beautiful White Bear Lake. The train from St. Paul stopped directly in front of the Barnum dropping off members at the front door. At the beginning of the 20th century golf was in its infancy in the United States, but in 1912 the Club added golf to its venue of entertainments with a 9 hole course designed by Scottish architect William Willie Watson. WBYC joined the Minnesota Golf Association which was founded in 1901. Shortly thereafter, the Barnum was replaced by a new lakeside clubhouse designed by then member A.H. Stem, best known for his design of New York Citys Grand Central Station. Shortly after the 18 hole course opened for play, the Cl...