The building that you see on our home page was constructed in 1952 by the members of the Corning Beagle Club. The building site is on a 142-acre parcel on Rose Hill in Steuben County. At the time the building was constructed the club had 137 members and the building cost was $6,000. More research is needed to find the history before 1952. We do know there was a site in Caton, NY, and before that Addison, NY. But at this time we have no facts about thee sites
In 1952 the enthusiastic members had two goals in mind: 1.) to make a great future for beagleing; 2.) to make “one of the best beagle clubs” in the area. This is the same goal our membership has today.
Accompanying the beautiful 142-acre landscape is a pond that also was constructed by the membership. The 5 ½ acre pond was built on a 15 acre plot that was being leased by the Bureau of Game Management of the State Conservation Department. The Conservation Department’s hope was to make the pond for duck breeding and a resting place for transient birds. Club members were allowed to stock the pond with fish but hunting was, and still is today, prohibited on the grounds. The DEC no longer leases any of our land.
The club was affiliated with the Red Jacket Association of Western New York and the National Federation of Beagle Clubs. Today we are a member of the Northeast Gundog Federation and are affiliated with Iroquois Beagle Gundog Association. The very first field trial brought in $1,769. The money was put toward the construction of the Rose Hill clubhouse. They had 520 entries and the trials were held at the Caton, NY grounds. We no longer own the Caton grounds.
The club today may be smaller than in 1952, but still has the same enthusiasm. Many improvements have been make to the grounds. As you can see on the website page we have 5 grounds. These grounds are all separately protected by chain-link fencing and a high voltage wire to keep predators out. Much work has been done to protect the rabbits. The club has built many natural rabbit shelters, as well as providing secure feeding stations to get the rabbits through the long winter months. Many paths have been mowed throughout the grounds to make it easier on the judges and well as the field marshals. It also makes an easier walk for the members who are there to train their beagles.
So, if you are planning to attend a field trial here at the Corning Beagle Club you will not only enjoy the fellowship with our members but will enjoy the beauty of our landscape. The food isn’t bad either.