Clearview Golf Club
Why it's listed
Clearview Golf Club occupies 117 acres of rolling former dairy farmland just east of East Canton, Ohio. William Powell, an African-American veteran of World War II who had been made unwelcome at local courses, bought the farm in 1946 and built the course largely by hand while working a full-time job. Nine holes opened in April 1948, and the course grew to eighteen in 1978. Powell followed the land's natural contours, used two streams as hazards, left out bunkers and installed no irrigation, drawing on what he had seen of courses in Great Britain. The 1870s farmhouse and later buildings are not counted as significant; the course itself is the main resource. Clearview is recognized as the only public golf course in the United States designed, built and owned by an African American, and it reflects one family's perseverance against discrimination. Powell's daughter Renee went on to a professional golf career and now serves as the club professional.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues that Clearview is the only public golf course in the United States designed, built and owned by an African American. It is tied to African-American history, culture and sports, and shows a vernacular recreational landscape shaped by Powell's response to racial discrimination in golf. The whole course is nominated, including parts completed less than 50 years ago.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 01000056, listed February 16, 2001. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 8410 Lincoln St. SE, East Canton |
|---|---|
| County | Stark County |
| Listed | February 16, 2001 |
| Reference number | 01000056 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1946-1950 |
| Architect / builder | Powell, William J., course designer and landscaper |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Black, Entertainment/Recreation, Landscape Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still operating as a golf course; the 18-hole course covers 117 acres, with a farmhouse used as a clubhouse and several ancillary buildings. |
| Acreage | 117.4 |
| Coordinates | 40.77434, -81.24773 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 01000056.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q65048488
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.