Three Beloved Rocky River Institutions Celebrate 100 Years

In a world that seems to run on speed and inevitable change, it’s somehow reassuring that some local, beloved buildings and institutions have reached the century mark. Three well-known Rocky River entities can stake that claim.

College Club West

It was a different world for women in college in the 1920s. Many women enrolled with the primary goal of getting their MRS. degree (as in finding a suitable husband). Women who graduated and began careers were expected to give up those plans once they were married or started a family. 

“But some women wanted to continue with their intellectual pursuits and keep their minds going,” says Cheryl Bendik, co-chair of College Club West’s Centennial Committee and past president of the organization. 

That desire for continuing education led to the creation of the Lakewood College Club in 1926, which expanded to become College Club West in 1980.  Membership is still limited to women college graduates and those with nursing degrees. A number of multigenerational members are represented. 

The 175-member club celebrates its 100th anniversary this year. A major celebration is scheduled for April 24 at the Cleveland Yachting Club, with additional presentations at West Side libraries throughout the year. Those activities are in addition to the club’s annual scholarship program, which began in1971, and which awards at least $2,000 to several recipients.

Keynote speakers at club meetings have included media personalities and journalists, female college presidents, The U.S. Coast Guard speaking about Lake Erie shipwrecks and former spies for the United States.

College Club West is also known for its interest groups, smaller gatherings that are suggested by members. Topics include: golf, walking, books, food, films, creative writing and more. 

“Some groups are more intellectual than others, and some are just like happy hours where you can go out and have fun,” says Bendik, who leads a Spanish language group.   

College Club West members are proud of their first 100 years, will celebrate with joy and are actively seeking new recruits.

Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River

Thom Geist has been a member of the Rotary Club of Lakewood and Rocky River for 55 of the organization’s 100 years. He’s also the club’s resident historian. While many things have changed since its founding (like Zoom calls now occasionally replacing face-to-face meetings), the Rotary Club’s commitment to the community has remained steadfast. 

In addition to supporting numerous causes such as Meals on Wheels and the Community West Foundation, the Rotary Club is known for its service to students. Geist says being part of the scholarship committee has been one of the highlights of his Rotary membership. 

“That was the most rewarding thing I ever did, because it involved talking to these kids, reading what they presented to us and going over [the applications],” he says, noting that choosing was sometimes so difficult, one member of the committee once donated his own money to allow for more winners. 

As it celebrates its centennial, the club (which, coincidentally, used to meet at the Westlake Hotel) continues to play an important role in the community, and Geist hopes membership will grow. Meetings are held Mondays at noon at the Don Umerley Civic Center. Anyone interested in joining can learn more at lakewoodrockyriverrotary.org.

The Westlake Hotel

The Westlake Hotel or “The Westlake“ (officially The Westlake Condominiums) celebrated its 100th birthday in 2025. If the party guest list could include anyone who stayed there over the past 10 decades, Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh, among many other notables, would be invited. (Early aviators often used the neon, 20-foot-high Hotel Westlake sign to guide them into Cleveland Municipal Airport.)

Opened in 1925 and built at the amazing cost of $3.5 million, the “Pink Palace” boasted 400 suites. Constructed with brick, stucco and concrete and overlooking the western bank of the Rocky River, The Westlake was considered one of the most luxurious suburban hotels in the country. Over the years, it survived the Wall Street crash, a devastating fire in 1962 and later, a rundown reputation. Its life turned around when it became a condo development in 1983, the same year it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Today The Westlake features 95 condo units in its main building, including 12 two-story penthouses. The property also is home to 17 villas in an 8-story, smaller building built in 1984. Manager John Kuluris, who has been with The Westlake for 32 years, says tenants particularly appreciate the complex’s pool, beautiful, “nicely laid out” suites and the bar in the party room, originally from The Silverthorne Inn, for 66 years a popular social center in the community until it was demolished for The Westlake Hotel.

The uniqueness of the condo complex also appeals to tenants and Rocky River residents. 

“The Spanish Colonial Revival look is something you’d see in Miami, not necessarily Northeast Ohio,” says Kuluris, who is one of the few people who has a key to the roof’s former sun deck. “Up there, we have a roof light on our flag that helps bring boats in from the Marina at The Westlake. If it goes out, we hear about it. We are still important to people.”

The Westlake hopes the beacon of light will continue to shine for another 100 years on the city of Rocky River.