The Turn Verein or Turners’ Society
The Turn Verein or Turners’ Society was formed in August 1855 with 18 members in La Crosse. The official charter date was Oct. 21, 1855. At that time, the city of La Crosse had not even been chartered yet. The purpose of the Turn Verein was to practice and compete in athletic and gymnastic events. The original name was in fact “Gymnastic Society” which later was changed to Turn Verein. Rented space served the group’s purpose until Turner Hall was constructed in 1861. A number of Turners’ organizations existed in Wisconsin as a result of the strong German immigrant influence in urban areas.
Germania Hall/Pioneer Hall
The hall was originally built by the Turners, and it stood in the middle of the block on south 5th Street between Ferry and Market. Turners Hall, as the building was known, was moved to the alley on Ferry street sometime in 1876 and the remainder of the property was used as a summer garden. This was to make way for an addition to the building (720 Fifth Ave. South) when the Liederkranz joined the Turn Verein to form the Deutscher Verein.
The building was destroyed by fire Oct. 24, 1891. Bonds were sold and, together with the insurance money, enough funds were raised to build a new hall. The cornerstone was laid July 18, 1892. Building committee members were John Ulrich, John Pamperin, William Tillman, William Luening, Carl Kurtenacker, Henry Heil, Charles Michel, C.H. Krehs, G.J. Pammel, and Joseph Schwalbe. The architects were Stoltz & Schick of La Crosse, and Joseph Schwalbe and Son were the contractors. The building cost was $21,000.
The building was sold to the Pioneer Hall Labor Association of the CIO on Aug. 6, 1937. The Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) used the building for union offices and meetings, dinners and social events, boxing matches and labor education schools. The building was razed in early 1966 to make way for a new Fire Station at Fifth Ave. South and Market Street.
La Crosse Maennerchor or Liederkranz
A group belonging to the Turnverein wanted to form a singing society and take over control of the group. This faction formed its own group called the La Crosse Maennerchor in 1856 and devoted its attention to music. The organization soon renamed itself the Liederkranz, and the first concert was given in Barron’s Hall in May 1857.
In 1861 the group purchased lots at the corner of Third and King streets, and was incorporated as an organization in 1862. Singers’ Hall was constructed a short time later. On July 15-17, 1866, the first Saengerfest of Wisconsin was held in La Crosse and the Northwest Saengerbund was formed through the efforts of John Ulrich. More than 6000 singers from other cities joined in the program. When the Liederkranz merged with the Turn Verein to become the Deutscher Verein in 1874, the hall was sold. The building was razed in the 1930s.
German Independent School Society
Although not much is known about this group, it is known that they merged with the Deutscher Verein in 1875, and organized the first kindergarten in La Crosse. This German-speaking school was opened in 1878 by Theresa Doerflinger.
Deutscher Verein
The Deutscher Verein was formed by the merger of the Liederkranz and the Turn Verein officially in 1874. Singers’ Hall was sold and Germania Hall at Fifth and Ferry streets was enlarged to accommodate the increased number of members. A summer garden was added. Sundays were popular family days and the main attraction of the summer garden was that beer flowed freely. Annual events, such as the formal, members-only Sylvester Ball, attracted many dance goers.
Soon other interests arose among the members, and the Deutscher Verein increased its scope of activities to address these interests. Not only were athletics, singing, and social diversions organized, but a dramatic club was formed with Herman Langstad leading the way. Cards and skat tournaments became popular, and the women organized their own clubs within the Deutscher Verein. Bowling was always popular as well.
Nearing the end of the nineteenth century, the membership of the Deutscher Verein became comprised less and less of German immigrants and more and more American born, although generally of German immigrant descent. The Turners and the singers became less active in the years preceding World War I and eventually disappeared. By 1934, the group decided to sell their beloved Germania Hall (Pioneer Hall) because of the high costs of maintaining a facility. The Pioneer Hall Labor Association of the CIO purchased the property on Aug. 6, 1937. The Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) used the building for union offices, and the building was razed in 1966. The Deutscher Verein held a farewell dinner at the Linker Hotel on Aug. 16, 1937, and formally voted to dissolve the organization.
