The Victoria Rotary Club was conceived on Main Street Victoria, Texas by: Joe E. sSith, Charles L. Grunder, L.C. “Leslie” Fletcher, Frank S. Buhler, Elmo Von Allmen, James Hull, A.F. “Frank” Knowlan and J.R. “Ray” Gervais. The first organizational meeting was held May 16, 1919 at the Knights of Columbus Hall.  At the second organizational meeting on May 29, 1919, the following officers were elected:  Dr. Fred B. Shields (President), Rev. John Black Hudson (Vice-President), A. F. "Frank" Knowlan (Secretary), and John H. Clegg (Sergeant at Arms).

A group of Houstonian Rotarians came to Victoria on June 1, 1919 to deliver the club its charter at the Denver Hotel. The club met at various locations in its early years: the Manhattan Cafe, the Denver Hotel, and the Delaware Hotel.  The Victoria Advocate reported in November 1919 that the club's civic service was underway with a city cleanup campaign to restore Victoria to its former "City of Roses" fame from which it seemed to have fallen!

For the year 1967-68, District Governor Allen Lawrence appointed George Gilliam (Past Governor) of Corpus Christi as Director of Club Expansion.  Giliam then appointed J. D. Moore (Past District Governor), Graves Rouse, and Harold U. Leon to explore the possibility of forming a new Rotary club in Victoria.  The survey showed there were enough classifications for a new club, and on March 12, 1968, the Victoria Rotary Club voted to release territorial rights allowing the formation of North Side Rotary Club.  The Victoria Rotary Club was later to celebrate the birth of another local offspring, the Victoria Sunrise Club, in February 1984.

The Victoria Rotary Club celebrated its 75th anniversary May 19, 1994 at the Plaza Club with a dinner meeting called to order by 1993-94 club President John W. Beck.  In attendance were representatives of North Side Rotary Club and Victoria Sunrise Rotary Club.  Special meeting participants were 1993-94 District Governor Charlie Wilson and Past District Governor Robert G. "Gaylan" Duncan.  Master of Ceremonies for the evening, Robert C. "Bob" Martin, introduced the following past Presidents of Victoria Rotary Club, who spoke on the decades of club service to the community:  J. D. Moore (40s), David E. Sheffield (50s), Edward K. "Ken" Nathan (60s), John M. Roberts (70s), and Bruce M. Bauknight (80s).

-Special thanks to C. F. Schneider,
1981-82 President, for this history