History of Armuchee Ruritan Club

The Armuchee Ruritan Club was chartered on March 22, 1954 with forty-six charter members. The club was originally known as the North Floyd Club. The original charter members were:

Much of the early records of the club were not preserved, so the early history and work of the Armuchee Ruritan Club is not known. The club did, however, make many significant contributions to the community over its fifty-year history. Members of the club convinced officials at Berry College to sell portions of the right-of-way along Martha Berry Highway to permit water and sewer lines to be extended to the Armuchee community as part of the Floyd County Water Department.

Charter Member Roy Selman was responsible for contacting a large number of Armuchee residents and obtaining commitments from them to convince the City of Summerville Natural Gas Department to run natural gas lines into Floyd County. The first Floyd County Fire Station also resulted from efforts of Armuchee Ruritan Club members Roy Selman and David McClain. McClain, who was employed by the Georgia Forestry Commission, was able to secure a fire truck as part of the Rural Fire Protection program sponsored by the Commission. The Storey Lumber Company gave permission to keep the truck at its location on Sike Storey Road and allow employees to respond to fire calls in the area during the workday.

The Club was also instrumental in promoting the bond referendum that provided the funding to build the new Armuchee High School in 1980. Former Club President Freeman Shelnutt was personally responsible for convincing the Georgia Department of Transportation to install a traffic signal on Martha Berry Highway at the entrance to Armuchee High School, due in large part to his long-time friendship with Commissioner Wayne Shackleford.

In 1989, Armuchee Club member John Dempsey was elected National President of Ruritan National. John has long been associated with the Ruritan National Foundation, and persuaded the Armuchee Club to participate in the Double Your Dollar Scholarship program, where the Ruritan National Foundation matches a local club’s contribution to provide a local high school student with funds for college. In 1999, the club established a second college scholarship fund in memory of Freeman Shelnutt, a long-time Armuchee educator.

Since 2000, the club has been active in the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, raising close to $4500 for this worthwhile cause. The club has donated over $7000 to education, $2700 to other charitable causes and over $3000 to needy families in our community. Traditionally, the club obtained much of its revenue from the annual auction and barbecue at the Tribefest celebration in the fall. In 2002, the club sponsored its first annual Classic Car Show, held on the first Saturday in August, as a second means of raising funds for club projects. This will enable the club to continue its work for the next fifty years.

Charter member Ed Holsomback cuts the first slice of cake celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Armuchee Club	Armuchee Club members Martin Blackwelder and Claude Kail check names on the original club charter from 1954.
Ruritan National Vice President Jim McKinney and Zone 1 Governor Jerry Gallman	Ruritan National Vice President Jim McKinney presents award commemorating the 50th Anniversary to Armuchee Club President Charles Mull and Charter Member Ed Holsomback.
With the Armuchee Club’s Original Charter from 1954, left to right; Zone 5 Governor Vicky Mills, District Treasurer Charles Browder, Past District Governor and Armuchee Club member Lewis Evans, Zone 1 Governor Jerry Gallman, Armuchee Club Charter Member Ed Holsomback, District Governor Mark White, Armuchee Club President Charles Mull, Ruritan National Vice President Jim McKinney, Zone 2 Governor Scott Payne, Former Ruritan National President and Armuchee Club member John Dempsey, National Director and District Publicity and Public Relations Chair James Mills, Jr.

Back to Index Page