• Roswell Rotary Honors President Hagan
• 11-08-08 My Special Visit to Washington to World War II Memorial
• 10-16-08 Roswell Rotary pays tribute to Greatest Generation
• 10-08-08 Roswell Rotary Presents Honor Air…Part 2!
• 09-08-08 Aubrey Golf Tournament
• 08-13-08 Rotary returns to links for outreach
• 07-23-08 Fire Chief Aubrey Reeves Honored
• 06-25-08 Portable War Memorial Heads to Roswell
• 05-12-08 Roswell Rotary Honors Veterans
• 04-24-08 Relay for Life ready for Centennial High

Early history recorded by Elwyn Gaissert, Sr.

Roswell Rotary Club was founded in 1951

The City of Roswell is located on the northern banks of the Chattahoochee River in an area the Cherokee Indians once called "Enchanted Land."

The community was established in 1838 when Roswell King began work on the first cotton mill. By 1839, the mill was fully operative.  Beautiful homes were built and Mr. King invited friends from the Coast of Georgia to join him in his venture.  The mills of the Roswell Manufacturing Company would become some of the most successful in Georgia.

Today:

Roswell is a progressive community with modern amenities, but still preserves and protects its history, culture, and natural resources.

• 2006 Census Population estimate:  87,807
• Area:  41.95 square miles
• 20 miles from downtown Atlanta
• Median Household Income:  $84,595
• 2005  Median Value of Housing:  $299,000

In 1951:

• Roswell Rotary Club was founded in 1951. 
• At that time, for those who lived in Atlanta, the route to Roswell was a drive to the country to explore rural Fulton County.
• The highway to Roswell was U.S. Hwy. 19;  now Georgia Highway 9;  it was a two lane road with many curves and hills through beautiful wooded areas.
• The 1950 census indicated Roswell's population was 2,123;  Alpharetta 917; and Mountain Park 15 for a total of 3,055 in the three municipalities. 
• Telephone numbers were four-digits; 
• A call from Roswell to Alpharetta was long distance with a 10¢ minimum charge.
• In 1951, Roswell High School graduated 22.
• The city limits of Roswell in 1951 contained approximately 1,000 acres.
• The minimum wage was 75¢ per hour. 
• The cost of a new Ford was $1,480
• Gasoline was 27¢ per gallon, including windshield cleaning and also checking the oil, tires and coolant.
• A one-lb. loaf of bread was 10¢
• Milk was 96¢ per gallon
• A Three bedroom house was $9,000
• Average annual income was $3,709 in the United States.

In 1948, Southern Mills, Inc. began operation in Roswell.  The President of Southern Mills was William D. Ellis, a member of the Atlanta Rotary Club.  Not only did Mr. Ellis expand the textile manufacturing business in Roswell, he recommended the Atlanta Rotary Club sponsor a Club in Roswell.  Those interested met as a provisional Club until they received the required signatures on their application for charter into Rotary International.

The search for a place to meet and have a meal at the same time was a challenge in the small community that Roswell was in 1948.  The places that served food had very limited seating capacity and there were not a lot of "meeting" spaces available.

On February 15, 1951, an application for membership in rotary International was submitted. 

Q.A Wills and L.M. Thomas, Jr. also served on the Board of Directors.

Weekly meetings were held on Thursday at Noon at Moore's Tea Room on Canton Street (where Pastis restaurant is currently located). 

As sponsors of the Roswell Club, Atlanta Rotary had to relinquish that part of its territory in Fulton County north of the Chattahoochee River.  Roswell Rotary could have members from unincorporated Fulton County and the three municipalities of Roswell, Alpharetta, and Mountain Park. 

On April 18, 1951 a Charter Night was held at the Alpharetta High School.  Bill Ellis of the Atlanta Club was the toastmaster of the evening and introduced all the Atlanta Rotarians who were present.  Bill introduced President Malon and his wife Vaughn.  Malon presented the Roswell Club with a Rotary gong.  Alton Costley of Decatur presented a Rotary banner on behalf of his Club.  Then a gavel was presented on behalf of  Warm Springs, GA.  Charlie Clotfelter of Marietta presented George Ray, Roswell President, with a U.S. flag and announced that the Canton Club was sending a lectern.  The Atlanta Club presented 30 rotary lapel buttons to the new club.  All of this was after governor, Gus Murray, presented the most important thing - a club charter from Rotary International. 

By April 26, 1951 the Club was in its second meeting place.  The Club did the best they could with the limited meeting places available and on September 6, 1951 they were fortunate enough to start meeting at the Lebanon Community Club, arranged by Mrs. Elizabeth Hawkins, wife of Herbert C. Hawkins, and members of the Lebanon Home Demonstration Club including Marian Barber, Cleo Coleman, Geneva Cleveland, Lorena Donegan, Bernice Lane, Lillie Lane, Lois Lane, Pauline Matthews, Maude Mansell, Bess Patton, Mae Porter and Annie Laurie Powell.  It is impossible to put into words the tangible contributions these women made toward the success of the Roswell Rotary Club.  They accepted the responsibility to plan the meal each week, prepare the food, serve the meals and clean up both the kitchen and club house after the meeting.  Food included hot home-made biscuits and it was soon that Roswell Rotary became a favorite for "make up" of missed meetings. 

After meeting in the Lebanon Club House for 5 years, the Club moved to the Roswell Community Center on September 4, 1958.  Bernice Lane and Cleo Coleman from the original group that provided the meals at Lebanon, were joined by Rita Mansell and provided excellent food and service.  Throughout the years, the Roswell Rotary Club has been blessed with people who have provided wonderful food and outstanding service.

In 1979, the rotary Club was given permission to meet in the new Community Activities Building constructed by the City of Roswell and operated by Recreation & Parks.  The building provided meeting and kitchen facilities.  This is still the current location of Roswell Rotary Club Meetings and great food is still very much a part of the fellowship, friendship and service of the Club.

(Taken from the early history recorded by Elwyn Gaissert, Senior)