Note: The following story was written by Steve Ellinger about a unique experience he and other Clay Target Legends hosts were able to have. It is published on NCSSA’s site with permission from Mr. Ellinger.
By Steve Ellinger
It was the most private skeet field, with the most national significance in America, yet almost unknown even today by nearly every clay target shooter. This skeet field was the personal and private skeet field of industrialist, chemist, and naturalist John Olin.
John Olin as most every avid clay target shooter knows, was the son of Frank Olin who owned the Western Cartridge Company. Western Cartridge eventually acquired Winchester Repeating Arms, and Frank named John the First Vice-President on the newly formed Winchester-Western Corporation. John Olin was a noted ammunition and arms designer securing 24 patents in arms and ammunition development. Olin, was in effect, one of Americas best in designing ammunition, and Winchester put it all into production including the famous Super-X line developed by Olin. John Olin by then had also became a noted philanthropist and one of the richest manufacturers in America, building his elegant mansion and residence in beautiful Godfrey, Illinois.
Clay Target Legends hosts (Steve Ellinger, Phil Murray, and Matt Smith) recently spent a day as guests of Winchester Ammunition in East Alton, Illinois. We were invited to start the day at the Olin Center for Excellence, Winchester’s training and conference center. There, Josh Taylor, the Midwest and Southeast’s sales manager for Winchester/White Flyer casually mentioned that John Olin’s private and personal skeet range was less than a mile from his mansion in Godfrey, Illinois, but is now basically ruins and dilapidated. Wait, what??? To clay target historians such as us, that was a major piece of possible history that none of us knew about. And if Phil Murray did not know of that, no one does. After some shooting at the Winchester Gun Club, I looked at Phil and Matt and said, "you know we have to go find that, even if just old ruins, right?".
We all agreed, and we wrapped our shooting and headed to Godfrey, Illinois with a very rough idea of where to go. After all it was close to Olin’s well-known mansion. After 10 or so miles through some winding roads of beautiful Illinois country we were getting close. The GPS pin drop took us to an unpaved road. We were faced however with a gate displaying a big sign that said CLOSED. The property formally owned by Olin was now owned by The Nature Institute, a non-profit organization formed in 1980 to foster awareness of nature and conservation on the 293 acres formally owed by John Olin.
Completely disappointed at the idea of a closed gate, I briefly entertained the idea of trespass, but logic came over me and suggested that we drive a bit more to see if we could find anything. The majestic trees however obscured any sighting of such a historic clay target piece of history. As we were about to give up and turn around, we noticed a beautiful mid-century modern house, now an office. It was in-fact the office of the Nature Institute. What the heck I thought to myself and went in to ask if they knew anything of Olin's old skeet field.
The very accommodating staff person said "yes", but the trials were closed until later in the Spring. Dang it! Sensing my disappointment, she actually offered to take us to the location after I explained our Clay Target Legends program and association with the NSSA-NSCA Museum. Off we went back to that locked gate and as it slowly opened, our excitement grew as we were curious as to what we would find, if anything. We parked our car and started the hike on the closed trail a short distance to what we hoped would be something, anything to see.
As we begin to get closer, we saw something. There, through the trees was the unmistakable tower of a high house, then we saw the low house! But these were not ruins, or even dilapidated! These were intact! The natural grass seemed as if was cut just yesterday. The eight flagstone shooting positions were clearly visible. Ahead of us was station 4 and behind that was a very nice circular stone patio with built-in benches. As we walked onto the plaza we were greeted by a majestic view of the Mississippi River. This was one of the most beautiful skeet fields that I have ever set foot on.
We stood in awe at the condition of the skeet field and almost found it difficult to believe that, according to the Director of the Nature Institute Angela Moan who had just joined us, the last round of skeet that Mr. Olin shot there was in the mid-1960's. The houses had been boarded up for years, no one knew how long. But was there anything inside? Traps, targets, or who knows what. By then a Nature Institute grounds worker approached us, I assume curious as to why we were on the property during the time the area was closed. Executive Director Angela Moan gave the ok, and soon we were again inquiring as to what might be inside. Well, the grounds staffer just happened to have a box of tools, and he too was curious. In short order we had the low house open. Alas there was nothing inside. What we did find however as a very well-preserved structure just begging to come back to life.
We also begin to search the grounds for any artifacts. Could there actually be any targets in the surrounding areas? We searched, kicked the leaves around, and moved some fall wood in the areas where the targets would have landed. Soon we begin to see target fragments. Lots of them, small pieces yes but clear evidence that this was 65 years ago and active, even if very private yet significant skeet field.
With our surprise at the actual condition of John Olin's skeet field, we surmised that we could actually be throwing skeet targets with less than two hours of work. All that is needed is to open the houses, add traps and targets, and we would be in business! Just amazing.
This skeet field was seen by very few people back then, and even fewer shot there. Through some research and conversations, we know that Olin entertained friends and national figures on that field while looking out over the Mississippi. Notables such as U.S. Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon and 5-Star General Omar Bradley. Olin was a film fan, so actors such as Clark Gable, John Wayne, and Roy Rogers were regulars. Baseball greats Stan Musial and Ted Williams regularly joined John Olin on that private skeet field.
As we stood on those flagstone stations, we envisioned those U.S. Presidents standing there with the best and most modern Winchester equipment, cartridges, traps, and targets, (remember Olin owned Winchester), dressed with style and dignity, and calling “PULL” with enthusiasm. Folks, this was American clay target shooting at the absolute highest national level.
We eventually had to leave the site but decided to leave via the same trail/road that John Olin and his guests used to return to his mansion. I had to wonder about the conversations that took place. Was it "Mr. President, now that the war is almost over, what is your new foreign policy position?" Or was it "Mr. President, did you really just miss that low 7?" Who knows? But what we do know is that we were experiencing standing on the most historic, even if known of by very few, skeet fields in America where foreign policy and other areas of national interest was discussed.
Today, one of the Nature Institute’s trails transverses close to the skeet field. "What are those two little castle looking buildings?" is occasionally asked. Few if anyone knows, much less realizes how many U.S. Presidents stood at that very site and took part in one of the greatest sports we have ever known, even if it was mainly enjoyed by the wealthy and elite. Except for a few Nature Institute signs that explain the grasses and plants, there is no sign, plaque, or other indication of the historical significance of the skeet field. This would be a great opportunity for the NSSA to step up and provide a permanent historical marker.
How amazing would it be to actually shoot a round of skeet on that field, all these years later after so many historical American figures? Well, stick around, you may just get the rare opportunity.
