These are pictures of the very first shots taken at the new range on Germany Road, which opened in 1947. There are four pistol shooters, one rifle shooter, and a man with a hand thrower.

~ From the Archives ~

                                                                  Lansing State Journal article, ca. 1948

Own Range Underway for Local Rifle Club

  “Capitol City Rifle Club, Inc., planned and schemed for 34 years to establish an outdoor shooting range. This ambition finally is to be realized. The club has bought and is fitting a 16-acre site northwest of Williamston on Germany Rd. It will be ready before fall.

  Recently the club engaged a bulldozer which has cut away a hill to serve as the background for target firing, and leveled off the area, according to G.H. Spaulding, one of the club’s most enthusiastic members. Even­tually, Spaulding boasts, this will be “the finest outdoor range in Michigan with 60 firing points for rifle and pistol shooting.” It is the only one within 60 miles of Lansing.

  And more later. Landscaping of the area already has been started and the club plans to eventually erect a club lounge, he said, but the latter project is well into the future, because “we have to get some money first.” Plans include erection of 50 and 100-yard targets and a special target where dear hunters can sharpen their sights, according to club boosters.

  These fine facilities will attract the large tournaments and top flight shooters so that eventually Lansing will have a reputation with the shooting fraternity of which we can be proud,” Spaulding emphasized.

  Organized in 1915, the club has confined its shooting to the indoor range at Michigan State College Tuesday and Friday nights from December 1 to May 1, Spaulding said. The new range will enable the club to sponsor a year-around program, he added.

  In conjunction with the start of readying the range, the club instituted a membership drive and the scope of the club’s future activities will depend a great deal on an enlarged and active membership, he reported.

  Aiding in development of the range are Leo “Shorty” Frank, president of the club, and Frank Russell, secretary, … East Lansing. Spaulding, Frank and Russell are all accepting membership applications.

  Interest for Juniors. Permitting expansion of the club’s program, the officials said that the group will welcome sponsored and supervised junior groups to the use of the range without charge – the theory being that “you don’t find juvenile delinquents in Junior Rifle clubs,” Spaulding said.

  Three aims of the club, he said, are: To teach the youth safety in handling firearms; to teach them how to shoot and be good sportsmen; and to provide a well regulated range for adults for pistol and rifle shooting as individuals and clubs.

  While the club has endeavored to develop this program since organization, it has been handicapped by lack of proper facilities, to be afforded by the new range, Spaulding declared.

  To provide the range as a haven for wildlife and at the same time beautify the surroundings, Spaulding said, the club is bordering the area with multiflora rose and spruce and bordering the hill with honeysuckle and coralberry. Hawthorne and Osage orange also are being used about the target area.”