The Milwaukee Yacht Club (MYC) was founded in 1871 and is one of the oldest yacht
clubs on Lake Michigan. Their focus is on promoting the enjoyment of and activities
on Milwaukee’s lakeshore. Throughout their history, they have offered events and
programming that include races/regattas, sailing school/education, an annual
“Commodore’s Ball”, various ceremonies and a “Shipmates” Ladies Auxiliary. The
Clubhouse is located in the Milwaukee Bay, within McKinley Marina, north of the
Milwaukee River and east of the former Northwestern railway tracks. The original
clubhouse was built on pilings near the old flushing tunnel slip. Over the years,
three MYC clubhouses have been built/rebuilt on that site. During the 1920s and
1930s, the present outer breakwater, a barrier to protect the harbor from waves, was
constructed under the leadership of William George Bruce, one of the founders of the
Club, and Chairman of the Milwaukee Harbor Commission for almost 20 years.
In 1943 a fire destroyed the original clubhouse. In 1945 a small concrete structure
was built at the north end of the Club’s property to serve until wartime building
restrictions were lifted. The 1945 structure remains and functions as the dock
master’s office, as well as the Junior Club Facility. After the war, a land dispute
occurred between the Milwaukee Yacht Club and Milwaukee County. Each claimed
ownership over the land where the Club stood. Eventually, the County established
ownership and the Milwaukee Yacht Club entered into a 25 year lease of the premises.
In 1967, a new two and one-half story clubhouse overlooking the Milwaukee Harbor was
built at a cost of over $300,000. In 1994, the County and the Club agreed to extend
the lease for 25 years giving the Club an option for another 25 years.
