The Turnverein or Turners’ Society

The Turnverein 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 name "Turnverein" is German and translates to "Gymnastic Society" deriving from the German verb, "turnen" or "to do gymnastics." Therefore, the purpose of the Turnverein was to practice and compete in athletic and gymnastic events. In fact, the society's original name was “Gymnastic Society” but was later changed to Turnverein. 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. Prominent members included, John Pamperin, William Tillman, Gottlieb Heilemann, Henry Heil, and Peter Schintgen.

Germania Hall/Pioneer Hall

The hall was originally built by the Turnerverein, and it stood in the middle of the block on south 5th Street between Ferry and Market Streets. 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 Turnverein to form the Deutscher Verein in 1874.

The building was destroyed by fire on 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 Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) on Aug. 6, 1937. The 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

In the early years of the Turnverein, a portion of its members wanted to form a singing society and have that be the primary activity of the group. This faction then 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 their first concert was given in Barron’s Hall in May 1857.

Liederkranz mainly performed and practiced singing, but in February 1858, the group premiered a German comedy, which was met with such acclaim by the attendees that the group thereafter formed a Dramatic Section of the group. Liederkranz went on to write and self-publish many original plays and operas, all in the German language.

Along with the Frohsinn Singing Society, another German singing society in La Crosse, Liederkranz held concerts and participated in singing festivals in La Crosse, the greater state of Wisconsin, as well as the tri-state region. The group's musical repretoire included traditional German and American folksongs, with the majority being German.

In 1861 the group purchased lots at the corner of Third and King Streets, and Liederkranz 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 Turnverein to become the Deutscher Verein in 1874,the hall was sold.The building was razed in the 1930s.

In 1871, Liederkranz and the Turnverein combined once again to form the Deutscher Verein. John Ulrich was elected the first president of the combined groups. However, it was not until August 1874 that the two societies officially turned all of their property over to the Deutscher Verein, thus making 1874 the official birth year of the Deutscher Verein.

German Independent School Society

Although not much is known about this group, it is known that they merged with the Deutscher Verein on February 9, 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 Liederkranz and the Turnverein 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 the beer that 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. In addition, due to the anti-German sentiment during WWI, more membership dropped off and the name was officially changed to the Pioneer Club in 1918. By 1934, the group decided to sell their beloved Germania Hall (Pioneer Hall) because of the high costs of maintaining the facility. The Pioneer Hall Labor Association of the Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) purchased the property on Aug. 6, 1937. The 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 at that time.