Alcoholics Anonymous History In Your Area
Ohio
Early Cleveland Groups
by Mitchell K.
According to the official records as compiled by Norm E., the recording statistician for the Cleveland Central Committee, a history of the original Golrick group was submitted to Norm on June 24, 1942 and signed by Albert R. G.
Golrick Group started on May 11, 1939 after it broke from the Oxford Group in Akron on May 10, 1939. The address was 2345 Stillman Road, Cleveland Heights. there were 9 members at that first meeting. They were Clarence S., Al G., George McD., John D., Dr. Harry N., Lee L., Phillips, Chas J. and Lloyd T.
On November 16, 1939 the group split and the Borton Group started at the home of T.E. Borton (non-AA member). There were 40 members at that meeting.
On November 20, 1939 another split took place and what became the Orchard Road group began. There were 10 members at that meeting.
In February 1940 the Golrick Group moved to 1637 Lee Road with Chas J. as the Group Secretary (he was secy from 2/40 to 7/3/41) The Group name was changed to Lee Road Thursday.
On January 3, 1941 it was decided that there would be a Lee Road Monday and a Lee Road Friday group as well. On 7/3/41 – 7/8/42 George McD. was Secretary and on 7/8/42 the job of Secretary reverted back to Chas J.
There were 20 members of the Monday and Friday groups.
Also, another post talked about Abby and Clarence not getting along. Most of the friction was caused by the Elrick Davis newspaper articles in the fall of 1939 which caused the splitting of the groups. Clarence and Abby did reconcile and remained friends