In 2008 the Denver Turnverein changed its name to the Turnverein Dance and Cultural Center. The new name better reflects the function of the organization as a center of dance, arts, community and more…in the heart of Denver
. After looking over many potential locations the hall committee of the Denver Turnverein, under the leadership of “Jake” Schaetzel, heard of a dancing-club house in foreclosure at 16th and Clarkson. Ten members pledged one hundred dollars each as down-payment and the “Coronado Club” became the new home of the Denver Turners.
The following is an exerpt from a historical paper written by Mrs. George H. Dienst, and edited by LeAnn Stelser:
“The building, (The Coronado Club), however, with its velour drapes and crystal chandeliers, was built for anything but a gymnasium. The chandeliers, of course, were the first to suffer when hit by the volley balls. The soda fountain was converted into a bar, but a shower and locker room and an apartment for the custodian also became necessities. A stage was erected in the Rathskeller for various entertainments and theatrical performances. A hutch, connected to one of the doors, was built to store gym apparatus. The artists Carstens and Timm added much of interest when they painted mottos and murals of scenes in Germany and Colorado on the walls in the Rathskeller. With all these assets plus its terraced landscaping, it was a building to be proud of.
he first outstanding social affair in the new home was the bond-raising banquet. Most members purchased bonds within their means and with the proceeds of the bond sales and the sale of the Santa Fe lots, the Turnverein acquired a new financial foundation.
y this time the gym classes had grown to such an extent that at times the hall was almost too small. The attendance in the women’s class increased to over seventy. Ruth Drumm Witting was the instructor, leading exercises consisting of floor work, glancing, wands, dumb bells, and Indian club swinging. Mrs. Witting was the first in the country to instruct physical culture over radio. Her sister, Ella Ehmke, accompanied all of the exercises.
he women’s and girl’s gym attire has undergone a drastic change over the years. Imagine doing strenuous exercises in long, heavy underwear which stretched from neck to ankles, long black cotton hose, and an ‘Anstands Unterrock’ (a modesty underskirt). Over these went a fancy full-starched petticoat, and topping all the undergarments was a long, dark blue serge dress with long sleeves, sailor collar, and white braid trimming. As the years went on, the feminine uniform dwindled to a modestly long, full bloomer and middy, and finally, for the ladder work, the girls worn only a bra and very short pants.
The men’s gym classes, the Baeren Riga (senior men), and the children’s classes were instructed by Arthur Ulrich and Fred Rinne, with exhibitions being held in the City Auditorium. The system of exercises had changed drastically from the time Jacob Schmitt, who was instructor in the East Denver Turnverein and In the public schools of Denver. He, like Turnvater Jahn, was a strict disciplinarian. He beat time with a wand, tapping on the floor and counting, “vun, two, tree, vun, two tree,” as exercises and marching drills of militaristic style were executed. Anyone out of step would be rapped on the shoulder with his wand, and absenteeism was not tolerated!
The Turners and Auxiliary have as a remembrance a beautiful, hand-embroidered flag, worked on heavy taffeta in very fine silk and gold thread. The flag cost $400., and was made by Miss Rose Mahlinger, who at that time was teacher of embroidery work at Daniel & Fishers. The flag was presented to the Turners by the Auxiliary for the National Turnfest which was held in Denver In 1913.
Bazaars and relief work, among other things, have occupied the Women’s Auxiliary. During World War I relief work was at a stand-still, but after the war thousands of yards of material, were made into clothes for the needy and into bed clothing for orphanages in Germany. Women of German churches assisted in this undertaking.
By about 1925 the Auxiliary had a membership of over two hundred, the largest in the United States. In 1932 the Auxiliary became affiliated with the Denver Federation of Federated Women’s Clubs: it was the only national Turner Auxiliary so honored. “After Pearl Harbor, there was much to be done for our soldiers and their needy ones left at home. The Women’s Auxiliary organized a Red Cross Unit and thousands of hours were spent in sewing, knitting, and in working in the Red Cross canteens and blood banks. Over 120 pints of blood was donated, and the members sponsored a ward of one hundred men at Fitzsimmins Hospital. When the Red Cross terminated this relief work, letters from Germany, asking for food and clothing, poured in at the many civic offices in Denver. An Auxiliary Welfare Unit was formed which, with aid from several other organizations, was able to send over 6,000 pounds of food, clothing, school supplies, tools, etc. to the needy overseas. Though this relief was ended in 1952, most of the charter members are still at work making cancer pads for Denver and Colorado General Hospitals.”
Mrs. Dienst makes mention of the large gym classes in the Twenties and Thirties. The new hall with its large gymnasium brought about a very active physical program, which lasted to the beginning of World War II. Annual gymnastic exhibitions were held during that period in the City Auditorium and these shows were good advertisement for the Denver Turnverein gym classes and resulted in many new members.
The Turnverein was also very active in other fields during the period between 1922 and the beginning of World War II. Besides the regular social affairs and dances mentioned earlier, Card Parties, Turkey Parties, Sunday Night Social., and Turner Queen elections were very popular. The Denver Turnverein also took an active part in the early day German-American Federation. The first German Day was celebrated by the Federation in 1936, and 700 persons filled the hall of the Turnverein as Denver Mayor Stapleton spoke. Another German celebration followed in 1937 and 1938. Fred Dachtler (our present Assistant Treasurer) was German Day Chairman in 1938.
When World War II broke out, the activities of the Denver Turnverein slowed considerably, although the Government had adopted a more enlightened policy in the treatment of American citizens of Germen origin than that of World War I. One by one active Turners went into the service, until only a few of the older men remained.
But once again the Denver Turnverein weathered the crisis and after the war, the membership was slowly built up again. A new wave of German immigrants entered the United States in the late 1940’s and early 1950’s, bringing new blood into the Turnverein.
Many G. I.’s that have spent a hitch of service in Germany, have learned to love German customs, culture and Gemuetlichkeit and have joined the Turnverein in the last decade, so that today, the Turnverein counts many active Americans as members.
The Denver Turnverein has been in its present home, on 1570 Clarkson Street, since 1922. For many years there was a pretty lawn around the place and the sign over the front door read: “Denver Turnverein-Coronado Club”. Parking space had been badly needed for a long time. Finally, in 1962, the present parking lot was leveled and paved In 1963, the name “Coronado Club” was taken down and replaced with the name “German House”.