Nationals Coming To Ridgway Rifle Club
by Phil Burkhouse
The Ridgway Rifle Club was founded in 1927 and was originally called the Ridgway Rifle and Pistol Club. Its name was shortened to the Ridgway Rifle Club in 1935.
Their first outdoor rifle range was located at the bottom of Grant Road near the west end of Ridgway. In 1937 the land was taken into the borough, and citizens began complaining about the noise created by the shooting in the borough on weekends. As occurs often with shooting ranges, the solution was to move the range farther into the country. A deal was made, and the Swiss Club Range, as it was known, plus $800.00 was traded for the present property about two miles out Grant Road. The present range is situated on approximately 186 acres of ground. Some people wanted a general sportsman club with a building, but the idea of having a club just for shooting prevailed.