To spot the Tower Club, look for a stately brick mansion with steep slate rooftops, tall chimneys, cream-framed windows, and a large wooden door beneath an arched stone entryway right ahead of you on Prospect Avenue.
Ah, you’ve found the legendary Tower Club! Right now, you’re standing in front of a building with deep Princeton roots, and if these brick walls could talk, they’d probably spill more secrets than a freshman during bicker season. But don’t worry-I’ll do the storytelling instead, and I promise not to quiz you at the end!
Imagine the spring of 1902: the campus is buzzing, and five bold Princeton students-John Lee, Henry Pogue, Otto Wolff, Conway Shearer, and Frank Little-gather in a stuffy old club on University Place. Between them, they’ve scraped together about $400, determined to start a new eating club, a place where friendships would blossom and debates would rage like wildfires. That very next year, Tower Club was officially born!
Their journey to this spot was anything but simple. The original club moved from the old Monastery Club to a rather humble Gulick House, then to land bought from the Cottage Club-complete with hot-air heating that probably felt like luxury for those chilly New Jersey nights. Then, they temporarily bunked at the old Quadrangle Club building. Imagine dragging your books, tennis rackets, and the hope of hot food from one house to the next, always searching for that perfect home.
Finally, in 1917, Tower Club settled at 13 Prospect Avenue. It was a huge leap-a new structure, designed by Princeton alum Roderic E. Barnes, and a shiny $25,000 plot of land. But not all was smooth sailing. In 1921, a fire roared through the third-floor sleeping quarters, leaving quite a mess. Repairs came fast, though-the heartbeat of the club never skipped.
During World War II, membership dropped to just 15, but those 15 kept the lights on-every single one a ROTC officer, keeping watch not only over dinner conversation but also perhaps the fate of the world. In 1971, Tower was one of the trailblazers, welcoming women into its fold. The place was more open, lively, and interesting than ever.
Tower isn’t just about tradition; it’s been a little bit rebellious too! In the 1970s, they debated changing the bicker system, though they kept it in the end. Sometimes the club found itself in a pickle-like that awkward moment in 2003 when the president had to step down, or in 2008 when a slip-up leaked alumni social security numbers (bet that made for some awkward reunions).
Today, Tower is famous for three things: its phenomenal food (no exaggeration-almost legendary), its vibrant community of artistic and politically engaged members, and its powerful role in campus politics. In fact, it’s said that if you want to lead anything big at Princeton, Tower is the place to plot your rise over dessert. And with membership rates always fluctuating, each year’s bicker feels like opening a mystery box filled with future campus leaders-and, of course, the odd aspiring chef.
So, standing here, you’re soaking up more than 120 years of ambition, laughter, and maybe even the faint smell of waffles wafting from the dining hall. Next time you pass by, salute the club that’s equal parts tradition and rebellion. Just don’t expect them to share their food recipes-it’s the best-kept secret in Princeton!
