As the forests of northern Wisconsin were running out, they decided to stay in Wausau and pool their resources and ideas to invest in other ventures.

The group formed in 1901, with by-laws stating that their purpose was to "promote the business interests of the city of Wausau and community and the social enjoyment of the members there of."

[2] The site the club is on once held a house that belonged to Rufus P. Manson, a Mayor of Wausau and a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, and his family of twelve.

The following year, the Wausau Club was formed and would move another house from a different location onto the one previously occupied by the Manson residence.

During the Prohibition Era, a tunnel connected to the Wausau Pilot newspaper building (which is occupied today by Shepherd and Schaller Sporting Goods) was used to move alcohol to and from the club undetected.