Scotch Plains in Union County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Shady Rest Country Club "A Place for Us"

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, October 18, 2025

1. The Shady Rest Country Club "A Place for Us" Marker

Inscription. Founded in 1921, Shady Rest Golf and Country Club was one of America's first and longest-running Black-owned golf courses. John Shippen Jr., the nation's first professional golfer, lived and worked on the grounds 1931-1964, and women's golf and tennis professional Althea Gibson played here. The clubhouse hosted notable figures like music legends Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and civil rights activists James Weldon Johnson and W.E.B. DuBois. Shady Rest was a cultural beacon for African Americans and a gathering place for Black people in nearby Kramer Manor, Jerseyland, and throughout the nation.

Erected 2025 by New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. (Marker Number 2024.A.05.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Entertainment • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 40° 39.331′ N, 74° 22.323′ W. Marker is in Scotch Plains, New Jersey, in Union County. It is on Jerusalem Road west of Brightwood Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 820 Jerusalem Rd, Scotch Plains NJ 07076, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s North Jersey,

in Greater Newark,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies: “Osborn House” (approx. one mile away); White Oak "Quercus Alba" (approx. 1.2 miles away); Westfield (approx. 1.2 miles away); Revolutionary Cemetery (approx. 1.3 miles away); Revolutionary War Soldiers (approx. 1.3 miles away); Men of Westfield (approx. 1.3 miles away); Meeting House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Downer Well Cap (approx. 1.3 miles away).

More about this marker. On October 18, 2025, the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker at the Shady Rest Country Club, one of the first golf clubs founded by and for African Americans. The country club was home to John Matthew Shippen Jr., the first American Born African American Golf Professional and has hosted Jazz and Blues Legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.

Historical Marker Unveiling image. Click for full size.

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, October 18, 2025

2. Historical Marker Unveiling

On October 18, 2025, the New Jersey Historical Commission unveiled a marker at the Shady Rest Country Club, one of the first golf clubs founded by and for African Americans. The country club was home to John Matthew Shippen Jr., the first American Born African American Golf Professional and has hosted Jazz and Blues Legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Duke Ellington.

John Matthew Shippen, Jr. in the 1896 U.S. Open image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Preserve Shady Rest Committee

3. John Matthew Shippen, Jr. in the 1896 U.S. Open

Althea Gibson at her home in East Orange. 1968. image. Click for full size.

The Record (Hackensack, New Jersey)

4. Althea Gibson at her home in East Orange. 1968.

Ann Gregory, one of the foremost African American women golfers of her time, showcases her powerful image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Preserve Shady Rest Committee

5. Ann Gregory, one of the foremost African American women golfers of her time, showcases her powerful

Shady Rest Country Club members seated outside. Credit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by George Rinhart.

6. Shady Rest Country Club members seated outside. Credit

Credits. This page was last revised on February 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 61 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on January 6, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.