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GERMANIA HALL: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:image016.gif|left|thumb|250px|Dubuque Socialer Turnverein and later Germania Hall]]GERMANIA HALL. During the last half of the 19th century, a brick building on the corner of 9th and Iowa [[STREETS]] was the meeting place for [[GERMANS]] who had settled in the Dubuque area.


[[Image:ghall.png|left|thumb|250px|The Saengerbund Auditorium stood at the southwest corner of 22nd and Central.  Photo courtesy: James E. Jacobsen]]GERMANIA HALL. Representatives of the German societies in Dubuque met on March 9, 1890 to discuss plans for a new hall. It was proposed to form a company with $50,000 in capital to issue $25,000 in stock and an equal amount in bonds to build a two story hall, 75' by 100'. Billiard rooms and other recreational activities would be located in the basement. Meeting rooms would be found on the first floor with a hall on the second. (1)
In April, 1873 the New Turner's Hall belonging to the [[DUBUQUE SOCIALER TURNVEREIN]] was being completed. The building would not be called Germania Hall until the organization's name was changed to the [[GERMANIA SOCIETY]] on April 22, 1893. The first floor and the gallery were capable of seating 1,000 people. The stage was located at the eastern end of the building. Dressing-rooms were located beneath the stage.  The first floor also contained a ticket office, reception area and wardrobe rooms.  The second floor was the location of the dining room, a private room, and kitchen. In the case of fire, there were two front doors and a wide side door that opened onto a sidewalk. (1)


For its size, the old Saengerbund Hall was a short-lived structure in Dubuque. Located on a piece of land approximately 80' x 200,' the structure erected in 1896 and made entirely of wood lasted less than five years. (2) In May 1896, Dubuque County Democrats urged that it be offered as a state for the state convention the next year instead of the [[GRAND OPERA HOUSE]]. (3) A benefit for [[HOLY GHOST CATHOLIC CHURCH]] was held in May, 1897 with booths sponsored by Holy Ghost, [[ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH]], and [[SACRED HEART CHURCH]]. (4) On May 7, 1898 a pie-eating contest for young boys drew a large crowd. The City Band was scheduled for the following night with several songs performed by the Saengerbund Society. (5)
The activities held there were clearly identified by three words on the front of the building. "Turner" indicated gymnastics; "saenger" referred to singing; and "krieger" called for battling. To fulfill these goals, activities held in the building included song fests, tests of physical skill, bazaars, and plays. (2)


One of the popular events for which the building was used were the pure food shows at which producers handed out free samples to advertise themselves. Ironically it was the paper wrappers for the food which littered the floor that finally resulted in the decision to demolish the building. (6)
Germania Hall was purchased by the Pahl Baking Company in the early 1920s. Midland Bakeries Inc. purchased the building in 1925 and spent $40,000 on renovations before it was reopened as the [[DUBUQUE BREAD COMPANY]]. (3)


A rock wall on the corner of Heeb and 22nd [[STREETS]] provided "cheap seats" for youngsters wanting to see inside. On evenings when prize fights were scheduled, this location was especially prized. Windows at the top of the wall provided a prime view of the padded ring. One of the most remembered times occurred from August 29-31, 1899 during the carnival held in conjunction with a racing meet at the [[DUBUQUE DRIVING PARK]]. The fights were organized by the [[DUBUQUE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION]]. Among the fighters were Jack Root and George Byers who fought for the middleweight championship of the United States. Tommy White and Eddie Santry competed for the lightweight championship of the world.  Tommy Ryan and Jack Moffatt fought for the welterweight championship while George Kerwin and James Sellers competed for the lightweight championship of Iowa.  Railroads offered half-fare tickets to Dubuque to encourage attendance resulting in crowded depots. (7)
In 1934 the old Germania Hall became the home of the [[DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB]]. (4)
 
Additional seating provided for the 1899 events increased the capacity of the auditorium from its usual 5,000 to 6,000 spectators. General admission tickets ranged from $1.00 to $5.00 on the main floor. Seats costing $3.00 were located behind the more expensive seats with balcony seating costing $2.00. (8)
 
The auditorium featured a stakeless ring padded with felt located in the center of the building and high enough to be seen. This was covered with tightly pulled canvas which made the floor surface elastic. Special lighting allowed the operator to range the illumination from soft to "extraordinary brilliancy." (9)
 
Although the [[DUBUQUE SAENGERBUND]] used the building for social gathering and singing events, by 1901 nearly all traces of the building had been removed. (10)
 
By the time it had been demolished, fundraising for a new hall had been long underway.


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Source:
Source:


1. "Local News in Brief," ''The Herald'', March 9, 1890, p. 8
1. "New Turner's Hall," ''The Daily Herald'', April 30, 1873, p. 4
 
2. "Old Saengerbund Hall, Site and Scene of Many a Prize Fight and Songfest, Lingers in Memory of Many a Dubuquer," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', March 19, 1933, p. 5
 
3. "A Sure Thing," ''The Dubuque Herald'', May 13, 1896, p. 8
 
4. "Fair Next Week," ''The Herald'', May 13, 1897, p. 4
 
5. "Crowd at the Fair," ''The Dubuque Herald'', May 8, 1898, p. 8
 
6. "Old Saengerbund Hall..."
 
7. Ibid.
 
8. Ibid.


9. Ibid.
2. "Way Back When," ''Telegraph Herald'', January 22, 1962, p. 4


10. Ibid.
3. "New Home for Dubuque Boys' Club," ''Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal'', December 23, 1934, p. 10


4. Ibid.




[[Category: Halls]]
[[Category: Halls]]

Latest revision as of 18:13, 28 January 2019

Dubuque Socialer Turnverein and later Germania Hall

GERMANIA HALL. During the last half of the 19th century, a brick building on the corner of 9th and Iowa STREETS was the meeting place for GERMANS who had settled in the Dubuque area.

In April, 1873 the New Turner's Hall belonging to the DUBUQUE SOCIALER TURNVEREIN was being completed. The building would not be called Germania Hall until the organization's name was changed to the GERMANIA SOCIETY on April 22, 1893. The first floor and the gallery were capable of seating 1,000 people. The stage was located at the eastern end of the building. Dressing-rooms were located beneath the stage. The first floor also contained a ticket office, reception area and wardrobe rooms. The second floor was the location of the dining room, a private room, and kitchen. In the case of fire, there were two front doors and a wide side door that opened onto a sidewalk. (1)

The activities held there were clearly identified by three words on the front of the building. "Turner" indicated gymnastics; "saenger" referred to singing; and "krieger" called for battling. To fulfill these goals, activities held in the building included song fests, tests of physical skill, bazaars, and plays. (2)

Germania Hall was purchased by the Pahl Baking Company in the early 1920s. Midland Bakeries Inc. purchased the building in 1925 and spent $40,000 on renovations before it was reopened as the DUBUQUE BREAD COMPANY. (3)

In 1934 the old Germania Hall became the home of the DUBUQUE BOYS' CLUB. (4)

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Source:

1. "New Turner's Hall," The Daily Herald, April 30, 1873, p. 4

2. "Way Back When," Telegraph Herald, January 22, 1962, p. 4

3. "New Home for Dubuque Boys' Club," Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, December 23, 1934, p. 10

4. Ibid.

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