In early 1923, Live Oak businessman Sid Hinley visited with Luther Cox and Joe Swanson in Perry. During the visit, Hinley discussed a new Club in Live Oak. Cox and Swanson became interested and agreed that Perry needed such a club. Together, the three men set out to organize the Perry Rotary Club and the success of their venture can be told by today's growing and dynamic organization.

The Rotary Club of Perry, Florida was admitted to membership in Rotary International on May 11, 1923. The sponsoring club was Live Oak, Florida and the District 694 Governor at that time was Porter C. Pierpont. The formal installation of the Club was held at the old Hampton Springs Hotel.

The Charter application was signed by 16 members. T. Joseph Swanson was the charter President and R. Linton Thompson was the Secretary. Other officers included James C. O'Rourke as Vice-President and W. Fount Kelly as Treasurer.

Those who signed the charter application in addition to those names above were:

Member	Classification (occupation)
Clifford L. Cone	unknown
Luther Cox	telephone company
J. Clement Ellis	medical doctor
Homer L. Hays	hardwood milling
Charles M. Jones	school administration
Thomas N. Jones	haberdashery
C. Frank Jones	furniture dealer
W. Fount Kelly	store manager
A. Clifford Kerby	wholesale grocery
Charles W. Mathinson	minister
James C. O'Rourke	lumber mill
John H. Parker	auto dealer
William S. Rose	cypress mill
T. Joseph Swanson	attorney
R. Linton Thomas	newspaper editor