Gruenau Turn and
Schuetzen Verein
D
E W I T T C O U N T Y |
Marker No: 25880
Aluminum 27 x 42 Subject Marker
Geographic: 29.070023,-97.564941
Location: 7 to 8 miles northwest on Gruenau Road off Highway 108
|
Marker Text: The small community of Gruenau was settled by German immigrants who arrived in the area circa 1872. In 1898, twenty-one charter members founded the Gruenau Turn and Schuetzen Verein (gymnastics and marksmen's association). The association provided exercise as well as social interaction, and was modeled after similar clubs in Germany. One of the first undertakings of the association was the construction of a movable platform to be used for performances, dances, and competitions. The group constructed a permanent hall in 1900 on two acres owned by Ernst Haerting, SR. and Anton Koopman. The men later sold the property to the club for the price of $100. J. H. Koopman later sold an additional .97 acres to the club. Gruenau Hall became gathering place in the community for musical programs, feasts, exhibitions, masquerade balls and shooting competitions. A new hall was constructed on the property and was dedicated on November 27, 1927 with festivities the included a shooting contest, gymnastics competition and sausage supper. The Verein celebrated its golden jubilee with the gathering of thousands of people on April 14, 1948.
Activities of the verein declined the 1930s, 1940s and early 1950s, as residents moved to urban areas or left the community to join war efforts. The verein continued to hold bi-annual feasts at the hall celebrating the planting and harvesting seasons. The hall also used by local social, agricultural and fraternal organizations, and hosted reunions, dances, wedding receptions and other celebrations. Although the 1927 verein hall was destroyed by a 2007 fire, the association remains active in its community. (2009) |