The Lakeside Country Club property dates back to November, 1861 when the State of Texas deeded 2,214 acres to Christiana Williams for the sum of $2,000. In 1890 the present club site and property was sold to the Charles A. Schneider family, who then sold it to J. E. Lester. In 1931 Clifford Mooers purchased a 100 acre tract from the Schneiders.
The original mansion, built in 1934, cost $164,000 to construct (a great fortune in those depression days). In its original state, the mansion, which now forms the central section of our Clubhouse, had three stories with eight large rooms, all facing the lake Mr. Mooers built, now know as Pine Lake.
The Addicks dam was not to be constructed for years, and the frequent flooding of the area by waters of Buffalo Bayou caused Mr. Mooers to build the house as a veritable fortress, with concrete walls 18 inches thick, liberally reinforced with steel. To complete the protection, all ground level openings were equipped with aluminum plate covers and gaskets which could be placed over all doors and windows, and fixed by huge rosette-headed bolts set in the steel frames. The bolt heads are still visible around the exterior doors and windows on the ground floor of the central section of the Clubhouse. A 24-foot flood could be shut out leaving the house and its contents unharmed. Two powerful pumps were placed in the basement as added precaution. Fortunately, none of these flood protective devices were ever called into use.
In 1946, Mr. Mooers sold the property to Ralph Rupley, who became a charter member of the Club. Mr. Rupley and his family occupied the mansion, known then as Pine Lake Farm, until 1951, when they moved into a more convenient residence in the city.
The charter of Lakeside Country Club was signed in November, 1951. In early 1952, the club purchased additional acreage for construction of the original locker room wing, tennis courts, skeet and trap ranges, swimming pool, bath house, and additions to the existing stables.