Club Pop House (called The Pop House) was a private teenage social and dance club located near downtown Beloit, Wisconsin, at the intersection of Portland Avenue and 5th Street. The Pop House was a popular gathering spot for local high school and college students from 1946 until it closed in 1973. It was owned and operated by George Stankewitz, son of Lithuanian immigrants and a decorated World War II veteran.[1]
Social activities included top athletic teams in softball and basketball.[3] An annual event, the Chili Festival in late fall featured election of a presiding "Chili Queen". Each spring brought the coronation of a "Softball Queen".[4]
The Pop House offered a lunch counter with hamburgers, French fries, pizza and soft drinks. It was noted for its specialty sandwiches with such names as the Snead, 12:01, and Smiley Special.[5]
Club Pop House was governed by an adult board of directors with established by-laws and rules of conduct. Prospective members had to be white, in the tenth grade or above and undergo a review process that included an interview with owner George Stankewitz before receiving a membership card and a key. The first African-American to receive a membership card and key was LaMont Weaver after winning the state championship with a half court shot with only seconds left for Beloit Memorial. In its heyday there were more than 600 active high school age members in a given year, a waiting list of about 100 more, and numerous "alumni". The "club" status of the Pop House was challenged in August 1965 when charges of racial bias resulted in a discrimination suit after five African-American citizens were denied service at the lunch counter.[6] The case went to trial in November of that year and a jury cleared Mr. Stankewitz of bias charges, finding that the Pop House operated as a private club and could select its own membership.[7]
In 1972 a new eighteen-year-old drinking age law was enacted in Wisconsin. Owner Stankewitz began serving alcohol at the Pop House in November of that year, thus excluding the under-eighteen crowd.[8] With a subsequent decline in business, Stankewitz announced his retirement and closed the Club Pop House in April 1973 after 27 years of continuous operation.[9]
^"Stankewitz, George", Interview with Bill Guelzow, "Builders of Beloit - George Stankewitz (Excerpt)", Produced by the Beloit Historical Society and the Beloit Foundation for Beloit Access Television, 1984.
^"UW Gridders To Meet Pop House Cage Squad", Rockford Register-Republic, Rockford, IL, March 14, 1953.
^"6 girls seek coveted title of Pop House Chili Queen", Rockford Morning Star, Rockford, IL, December 1, 1960.