American Club of Coplay was established Sept. 10, 1936, at its 32 N. Third St. site. The meeting location evolved into its club bar, a lower-level social gathering space with a kitchen, bar and several bowling alleys.

The genesis of the club was a function of the growing immigration from Europe. At the turn of the 20th century, Coplay was a quiet town founded by immigrants from Germany engaged mostly in the Protestant Lutheran faith. As the century unfolded, Coplay experienced an influx of Roman Catholic immigrants from the Austrian-Hungarian empire that rapidly grew the Coplay population. These immigrants were drawn to the local cement industry, growing garment factories and other work opportunities.

The large building, opened in 1927, housed the Coplay Post Office and social rooms on its higher levels that were used for events for Coplay youth. One notable event, beyond kids’ parties and dances, was the visit around 1960 from popular TV personality Chief Halftown. Kids who attended that event learned Native American songs and were treated to a fun show and refreshments.

The club was part of the borough’s social and religious expansion that also included the building of St. Peter Roman Catholic Church in 1927 and its Catholic grammar school. Along with the Catholic church was the birth of Coplay Saengerbund in 1917.

American Club of Coplay expanded its operation to a pavilion and a hoagie shop at 300 Cherry St. The pavilion is a prominent location for indoor and outdoor events for people and organizations throughout the Lehigh Valley.

Recently, the hoagie shop ceased operations after making more than 2.2 million hoagies since the start. The club plans to reinvent itself by renovating the former hoagie shop into a fashionable, comfortable club offering upscale amenities with both indoor and outdoor facilities in a bucolic setting, adjacent to Coplay Parkway and Ironton Rail Trail.

Forty-five-year volunteer and longtime club President Jerry Deutsch was on hand at a Bon Voyage New Year’s Eve event Dec. 31, 2024, for its members. The bar area was full as members talked about the good old days, the current days and an exciting future.

At midnight, members present hoisted a final Champagne toast for the new year and a bittersweet goodbye to its 88-year-old beloved club meeting venue.

The plan is to open the new club location at 300 Cherry St. with an extravagant dedication March 1.