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Verein Vorwaerts The Denison Press
Wednesday, August 29, 1934 RAZING OF VORWAERTS STRUCTURE NOW UNDER WAY; OLD CITY LANDMARK One of the last historic landmarks of Denison is soon to be no more with the razing of the Vorien Vorwart's hall located in the 400 block of West Crawford. Destruction of the building was started Tuesday. Purchase of this pillar in the history of the city was made this week by A.P. Rumler throught sealed bid. Mr. Rumler resides 3 miles east of Sherman. Previous sale of the building was consummated a short time back, but the bid was rejected and a second one was taken. HIstory of the old landmark dates back a half century nwith its being completed in the year 1877. Original grant of the charter of the organization was given in 1903, with the building of the meetiing place 26 years earlier. The by-laws of the organization were written totally in German. None of the original organizers of the institution are living at the present time, although some of the men joining later are still active in the affairs of the city. Old timers recall when activities of the organization were in full swing. An annual ball was held which was considered the highlight in the social affairs of the city at that time. Numerous dances and get togethers were held there through the seasons. Located upstairs was the ballroom which was one of the finest to be found in this section of the country. Dowinstairs was to be found the social rooms with the saloon adjoining. To the side of the old structure, which also is to be razed, is to be found a small building resembling a chicken house, but which in reality was the storing place for their ice and beer. Beer in those days was not bought by the bottle and keg, but in many keg lots. There seven original members of the organization, all deceased, including Thomas Wahl, Jake Gerlach, William Geiger, I. Yeidel, H.E. Hildebrand, A. Knecht, and J. Sigel. Today there are seven active members, which are H. Schwaim, president; C.A. Hahnel, vice president; Hugo Koeppen, secretary; E. Regensberger, treasurer; Cris Miller, Joe Fritz and Oscar Kollert, trustees. Five passive members are included which are E. Ellsworth, T.E. Reardon, D.M. Morse, E.R. Moulton and C.L. Turner. The club was originally intended for singing and musical organization for the German race and at one time boasted a Philharmonic band under the direction of W.A. Everett. Presentations in concerts and singing conventions were to be had and they attended some of the lartest conventions to be had and were ranked with the best. With the demolition of the landmark another piece of the cornerstone of the building of Denison is taken away and many mourn its passing. But few of the remaining pieces are still to be seen on the countryside, crumbling, decaying with the passing of the years, only to eventually meet the same fate as the Verin Vorwaerts structure. The lot to be made vacant by the removal of the historic hall will be used by the Steakly Chevrolet Co. as a used car lot.  Industrial Denison, 1901: The Verein Vorwaerts Singing Society owns the large building they occupy and, as an organization, are nearly as old as the city itself. Verein Vorwaerts, Organized 1877, Singing and Turning Sections, German and English Sunday School Tom Anderson Memoir: I remember the big Vorwaerts Hall (a German lodge) was at 400 West Chestnut Street. This at one time was used as the National Guard quarters.  Verein Vorwaerts History Susan Hawkins © 2024 If you find any of Grayson County TXGenWeb links inoperable, please send me a message. |