South Side Turnverein

[1] “Geschichte des Suedseite Turn Vereins set dessen Gruendung,” 10, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indiana Memory; Indianapolis South Side Turners, Board of Directors Minutes, 1894-1904, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; Indiana Secretary of State, Biennial Report of W. R. Myers, Secretary of State, of the State of Indiana, for the Two Years Ending October 31^st, 1894, to the Governor (Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford, Contractor for State Printing and Binding, 1894), 112, Google Books; R.L. Polk & Co.’s Indianapolis City Directory (Indianapolis: R.L. Polk and Co., Publishers, 1916), “Liquor Law Violations,” Indianapolis News, January 22, 1894, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Editorielles,” Indiana Tribüne, January 22, 1894, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Editorielles,” Indiana Tribüne, January 22, 1894, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein’s Play,” Indianapolis News, February 13, 1894, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Maennerchor Festival, Indianapolis News, June 18, 1894, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Blue River Park,” Indianapolis News, August 15, 1896, 12, Hoosier State Chronicles; “They Held a ‘Kommers’,” Indianapolis Journal, June 19, 1898, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “The North American Turnerbund,” August 8, 1898, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Bismarck Memorial Programme,” Indianapolis Journal, August 30, 1898, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Gymnastic Union,” Indianapolis News, June 12, 1900, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Germans to Celebrate,” Indianapolis Journal, August 7, 1900, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Germans,” Indianapolis Journal, January 21, 1901, 3, Newspapers.com; “Sud-Seite Turnhalle Bau Gefellschaft,” Indiana Tribune, February 24, 1901, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, January 21, 1901, 16, Newspapers.com; “South Side Turners’ Ball,” Indianapolis News, February 14, 1901, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “German American Veterans,” Indianapolis Journal, February 25, 1901, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “German Day Celebration,” Indianapolis Journal, August 26, 1901, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Anniversary of Turnverein,” Indianapolis News, November 16, 1903, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Christmas Celebration,” Indianapolis Journal, December 30, 1901, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Annual Masque Ball,” Indianapolis Journal, January 30, 1902, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Children’s Masque Ball,” Indianapolis Journal, February 8, 1902, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Prince Welcomed,” Indianapolis Journal, March 3, 1902, 1, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners: Eighth Anniversary of the Ladies’ Section Celebrated,” Indianapolis Journal, March 10, 1902, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Meeting of Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, May 5, 1902, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Bazar at Turner Hall,” Indianapolis News, December 2, 1903, 13, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Südseite Turnverein,” Indiana Tribüne, September 9, 1904, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Anniversary of Turnverein,” Indianapolis News, November 16, 1903, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein at Floodtide in History,” Indianapolis Journal, April 21, 1904, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Enjoy Good Concert,” Indianapolis Journal, May 16, 1904, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Südseite Turnverein,” Indiana Tribüne, September 9, 1904, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Near Riot Follows Ball,” Indianapolis News, February 19, 1917, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Elbrecht Funeral Will Be Held at Home Friday,” Indianapolis News, April 26, 1917, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Recreation Workers’ School Plan Approved,” Indianapolis News, August 26, 1920, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Hundreds See Children in Pageant of Dancing,” Indianapolis News, August 13, 1920, 36, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Losche is Indorsed [sic],” Indianapolis Times, April 28, 1921, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Athenaeum Plans for Park Opening,” Indianapolis Times, May 25, 1921, 3, Hoosier State Chronicle; “The Original South Side Woman’s Club…,” December 5, 1921, 5, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Girls Learning to Make Dresses,” Indianapolis Star, August 11, 1928, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Windup Arranged,” Indianapolis Times, November 1, 1928, 11, Hoosier State Chronicles; “G.O.P. Schedule,” Indianapolis Times, November 5, 1932, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Carl Gutzwiller is Claimed by Death,” Indianapolis Times, January 18, 1933, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Circling the City,” Indianapolis Times, June 16, 1938, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Civic Leader is Dead,” Indianapolis Times, May 3, 1943, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Your Candidates for City Council: Fifth District,” Indianapolis Times, October 27, 1947, 22, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Note 50^th Anniversary,” Indianapolis Times, March 14, 1945, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Slate Card Parties,” Indianapolis Star, October 15, 1973, 8, Newspapers.com; “Ja, Oktober Ist Hier,” Indianapolis News, September 4, 1976, 43, Newspapers.com; “Marking 3 Centuries of Germans,” Indianapolis Star, September 4, 1983, 179-180, Newspapers.com; Scott L. Miley, “German culture faithfully preserved here for the young,” Indianapolis Star, August 25, 1986, 26, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Free Time Guide,” Indianapolis News, June 9, 1904, 55, Newspapers.com; Rita Rose, “June fun’s bustin’ out all over at Indianapolis events,” Indianapolis Star, June 2, 1996, 140, Newspapers.com; “Public Notices,” Indianapolis Star, August 30, 2004, 53, Newspapers.com; Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The History, the Industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes (Indianapolis: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910),215, Google Books;George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-135; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Pinochle Club,” 1910, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Singing Group Outside of Southside Turnhall,” July 24, 1910, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “34^th Saengerfest in Louisville, Kentucky,” June 24, 1916, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Women Performing,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Historical Note,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Records, 1983-1956, IUPUI University Library; Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The History, the Industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes (Indianapolis: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910),215, Google Books; Indianapolis Turnverein, Indianapolis Turnverein: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary: 1851-1926 (Indianapolis: Indianapolis Turnverein, 1926), 17, 22, Google Books; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 21-22, 134-135.

The South Side Turnverein (the building and club) was founded by September 24, 1893 when about 200 German Americans left the Socialer Turnverein in Indianapolis, Indiana to form their own Turnverein (gymnastics club) on the city’s south side. The organization first met at in the corner of Morris and Meridian streets, according to the Indianapolis News. By 1894, it was led by businessman and immigrant Henry Victor, who was active in the organization until his death in 1910.

The South Side Turnverein also included many non-athletic social activities, such as singing groups who participated in Saengerfests (competitive singing festivals) and hosed local group stage performances. In 1894, a two-act play, “He Lost His Gloves,” was performed at the South Side Turnverein, according to the Indianapolis News. That same year, the South Side Turnverein participated in the Indianapolis “Wald-Fest”, for “forest festival,” in Indianapolis. The event was attended by 3,500 people who were “scattered over the twenty-seven acres of woodland,” to dance and sing among the woods, as reported by the News. In 1904, according to the Indianapolis Journal, the Turnverein held a concert performance of selections from the operetta “Fidelia,” under the direction of Professor Carl Barus. The South Side Turnverein won first prize in a children’s dancing pageant in 1920 “for their winter ballet, which was trained by Miss Gertrude Hacker,” the News wrote.

As a part of the larger German community, the South Side Turnverein often supported other Turnvereins and socials clubs. In 1898, members of the South Side Turnverein attended a “kommers,” or “students’ entertainment” at the newly opened German House in Indianapolis, as mentioned in the Indianapolis Journal. Also in 1898, according to the Indianapolis News, South Side Turnverein members Curt Toll and Herman Roy served on the leadership committee of the North American Turnerbund, who decided to move its national headquarters from St. Louis to Indianapolis.

In 1900, the South Side Turnverein sent eight representatives to the annual meeting of the North American Gymnastic Union in Philadelphia, as noted by the Indianapolis News. Also in 1900, according to the Indianapolis Journal, the South Side Turnverein participated in the annual German Day celebrations in Indianapolis, including marching in the first division of the German Day parade.

The German American Veterans’ Society hosted its annual meeting at the South Side Turnverein on February 24, 1901, full of patriotic musical numbers and speeches, the Indianapolis Journal reported. Later than year, the Turnverein held a “Christmas Celebration” at its hall, “with exercises by the gymnasium classes, the presentation of gifts to their members and a dance after the programme [sic],” wrote the Journal.

Annual masque carnivals were held by the South Side Turnverein, with “the large hall [was] entirely filled with members of the society attired in grotesque costume,” at its 1902 iteration, the Journal reported. They also had a masque ball for children.

When the Prince of Prussia visited Indianapolis in 1902, the Journal reported, the South Side Turnverein provided representatives to serve as welcoming color bearers and guards.

Women were also a fully integrated part of the South Side Turnverein, with their own social events. For example, the Indianapolis Journal reported that its ladies’ section, headed by President Lizzie Klink, celebrated its eighth anniversary in 1902. The evening was capped by musical performances by members as well as children. Decades later, in 1921, the “Women’s Club” held a “euchre and lotto party in the South Side Turners Hall, for the benefit of the unemployed,” the Indianapolis Times noted. They celebrated their 50^th anniversary in 1945 with a luncheon and card playing.

The thirty-first annual meeting of the Indiana District of Turners was held on May 4, 1902 at the South Side Turnverein, the Journal wrote. Alongside district business, dinner and entertainment were provided.

The South Side Turnverein celebrated its 10^th anniversary on November 15, 1903 with a “program [that] consisted of music, gymnastic exhibitions, addresses, and tableaux,” noted the News. Less than a month later, they held a “Christmas bazar,” with proceeds going to “the city poor,” the News wrote.

Some public events at the South Side Turnverein were less than civil. In 1917, a “near riot” occurred after the ball of a local baker’s union at the Turnverein Hall. When the coat check service was going too slow, people got impatient and started assaulting each other, which resulted in “black eyes” and “women [beginning] to scream and faint,” the News reported.

Members of the South Side Turnverein proved to be outstanding members of the local community. Upon his death in 1917, the Indianapolis News wrote in his obituary that August Elbrecht, a German immigrant who worked for many years as an accountant for the F.M. Buchanan and Co. lumber company, also served for many years as one of the South Side Turnverein’s treasurers. Albert H. Losche, who served as secretary of the South Side Turnverein, ran for city council in the sixth district in 1921, the Indianapolis Times reported.

[2] “Geschichte des Suedseite Turn Vereins set dessen Gruendung,” 10, Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indiana Memory; Indianapolis South Side Turners, Board of Directors Minutes, 1894-1904, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Historical Note,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Records, 1983-1956, IUPUI University Library; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 21-22, 134-137; “Friedrich Ludwig Jahn,” Britannica Online Encyclopedia; “South Side Turners’ Anniversary,” Indianapolis News, November 8, 1897, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “A Surprise on Henry Victor,” Indianapolis Journal, January 12, 1898, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “The South-Side Turnverein,” Indianapolis Journal, January 14, 1899, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South-Side Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, January 11, 1900, 2, Newspapers.com; “South Side Turnverein,” Indiana Tribüne, December 24, 1900, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein,” Indiana Tribüne, January 8, 1901, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Paragraphs of the Day,” Indianapolis News, January 23, 1901, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners’ Officers,” Indianapolis News, January 15, 1902, 11, Hoosier State Chronicles; “North American Turnerbund,” Indianapolis Journal, July 3, 1902, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Outing of Turnvereins,” Indianapolis Journal, September 29, 1902, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Southside Turn-Verein,” Indiana Tribüne, January 10, 1903, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Will Entertain Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, June 13, 1903, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Anniversary of Turnverein,” Indianapolis News, November 16, 1903, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein at Floodtide in History,” Indianapolis Journal, April 21, 1904, 6, Newspapers.com; “Südseite Turnverein,” Indiana Tribüne, September 9, 1904, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Henry Victor,  Active in Many German Clubs, Dies,” Indianapolis Star, September 25, 1910, 45, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Societies to Sing at Henry Victor’s Funeral,” Indianapolis News, September 26, 1910, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “For Henry Victor Estate,” Indianapolis News, October 5, 1910, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Notice of Sale of Personal Property,” Indianapolis News, October 13, 1910, 16, Hoosier State Chronicles; “German Societies to Hold ‘Muttersprache’,” Indianapolis Times, August 18, 1933, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Marking 3 Centuries of Germans,” Indianapolis Star, September 4, 1983, 179-180, Newspapers.com; “South Side Turnverein,” The Journal Handbook of Indianapolis (Indianapolis: The Indianapolis Journal Newspaper Co., 1902), 180, Google Books; Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The History, the Industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes (Indianapolis: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910),215, Google Books; Indianapolis Turnverein, Indianapolis Turnverein: Seventy-Fifth Anniversary: 1851-1926 (Indianapolis: Indianapolis Turnverein, 1926), 17, 22, Google Books.

Turner societies had existed in Germany since the Napoleonic Wars. In America, Turner organizations were first formed by German immigrants in 1848. The Turners’ philosophy was centered on mind and body wellness, with fitness being integral to a healthy life.

The principle of “sound body and mind” practices by the Turners was introduced by German educator Friedrich Ludwig Jahn (1778-1852), who believed physical exercise and cultural activities led to a healthy life. He is known as the German “father of gymnastics” and founded the turnverein (gymnastics club) movement in Germany.

After its founding in 1893, the South Side Turnverein elected Henry Victor its President, or “First Speaker” in 1894. He was reelected to this role numerous times during his 16-year involvement in the organization, as evidenced by newspapers like the Indianapolis Journal, who covered his election as president in 1899.

The American Turners actively promoted their organization’s belief in physical fitness and the preservation of German heritage and culture. Public events were held to promote physical fitness and German heritage and culture in downtown Indianapolis such as the Indianapolis Turnfest Parade, which included drum corps and uniformed musicians. As an example, the South Side Turnverein attended the North American Turnerbund meeting in Davenport, Iowa in 1902. At the time, the Turnerbund consisted of about 250 societies, with about 40,000 members, according to the Indianapolis Journal.

It built a hall (clubhouse) and 306 Prospect Street, complete with a gymnasium and meeting rooms. As mentioned in the Indianapolis News, Victor was President of the organization when the building was dedicated in 1901. He was also the master of ceremonies for the dedicatory banquet they held a couple days after, where many German cultural groups met in the city.

Victor was reelected President, or “First Speaker,” of the organization on January 14, 1902 at a meeting of the leadership, as reported by the Indianapolis News.

The South Side Turnverein actively collaborated with the other turnvereins in the city, including the Social Turnverein. On September 28, 1902, Otto Irging of the South Side Turnverein placed third in the individual competitions, the Journal wrote.

In the April 21, 1904 issue of the Indianapolis Journal, which calls Henry Victor the "Father of the South Side Turnverein," they write "to Henry Victor is due the success the club has attained." Here's an extended passage about his influence in the early days: "Mr. Victor took charge of the work in the spring of 1894, when all efforts to complete the organization and make it a success had failed, and at a time when those supporting the society were losing faith in the undertaking. The enthusiasm and the effectiveness with which he assumed control of the work Inspired those interested and at once new life was put into the organization, and in less than a year a membership of 500 had been secured."

In 1904, the South Side Turnverein celebrated its 10th year anniversary, under the leadership of Victor. Members were offered stock to cover the cost of new club ($40,000), which was well received. The original terms of the agreement stipulated that the funds needed had been raised and that the society would clear itself of the debt within ten years.

When Henry Victor died in 1910, the IndianapolisStar wrote in his obituary that "Mr. Victor was interested in the South Side Turnverein and the flourishing condition of the society is attributed largely to his efforts." Many German American societies attended his funeral at the South Side Turnverein Hall, and some sang music in tribute, the Indianapolis News wrote.

[3] “Geschichte des Suedseite Turn Vereins set dessen Gruendung,” Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indiana Memory; Indianapolis South Side Turners, Board of Directors Minutes, 1894-1904, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; Indiana Secretary of State, Annual Reports of the Officers of State of the State of Indiana (Indianapolis: Wm. B. Burford, Contractor for State Printing and Binding, 1901), 129, Google Books; Indianapolis, Indiana, 1898 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Library of Congress, accessed 2022; Indianapolis, Indiana, 1915 Sanborn Fire Insurance Map, Library of Congress, accessed 2022; “New Turnverein Building,” Indianapolis News, February 21, 1900, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Business on the Boom,” Indianapolis Journal, March 8, 1900, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “City News Notes,” Indianapolis Journal, April 4, 1900, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles;  “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, April 6, 1900, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners’ New Park,” Indianapolis News, May 23, 1900, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein Club Building,” Indianapolis News, June 7, 1900, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein,” Indianapolis Journal, June 12, 1900, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners’ Hall,” Indianapolis News, June 12, 1900, 12, Newspapers.com; “Building Permits,” Indianapolis Journal, July 6, 1900, 8, Newspapers.com; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, September 14, 1900, 5, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Demand of the Union,” Indianapolis Journal, September 18, 1900, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “The Electrical Workers,” Indianapolis News, September 18, 1900, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Electrical Work Trouble,” Indianapolis News, September 19, 1900, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “The Electrical Workers,” Indianapolis News, September 20, 1900, 11, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners to Entertain,” Indianapolis News, November 30, 1900, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turner Hall,” Indianapolis Journal, December 1, 1900, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “New Home of the South Side Turnverein,” Indianapolis News, December 1, 1900, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, December 3, 1900, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Good Year for Builders,” Indianapolis News, December 24, 1900, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Germans,” Indianapolis Journal, January 21, 1901, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, January 21, 1901, 16, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Closed with a ‘Kommers’,” Indianapolis Journal, January 23, 1901, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Paragraphs of the Day,” Indianapolis News, January 23, 1901, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, November 11, 1901, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein,” Indianapolis Journal, January 13, 1902, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turner Anniversary,” Indianapolis News, January 13, 1902, 12, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turnverein at Floodtide in History,” Indianapolis Journal, April 21, 1904, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “James Glass, “Historic landmark reborn on Indy’s Southside,” Indianapolis Star, May 4, 2018, indystar.com; Max Robinson Hyman, Journal Handbook of Indianapolis (Indianapolis: The Indianapolis Journal Newspaper Co.), 1902, 180; Jacob Piatt Dunn, Greater Indianapolis: The History, the Industries, the Institutions, and the People of a City of Homes (Indianapolis: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1910),215, Google Books;George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-135; “South Side Turnverein,” National Register of Historic Places Registration Form, United States Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 2019; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-137; Connie J. Zeigler, “H. Lieber Company,” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, 1994, revised February 2021; Charles Titus, “Charles Emil Emmerich,” Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, 1994, revised February 2021.

Plans to build the South Side Turnverein Hall started on February 20, 1900, when the South Side Turnverein decided to purchase 150 feet of property on Prospect Street at a cost of $5,000, as noted by the Indianapolis News. On March 7, they filed articles of incorporation for the South Side Turnverein Hall Association, whose charge was to “purchase real estate and to sell the same and particularly to construct and erect for the South Side Turnverein a suitable gymnasium,” the Indianapolis Journal reported. Henry Victor served as one of the association’s directors.

The South Side Turnverein chose Vonnegut & Bohn, one of Indianapolis’s premiere architecture firms, to design and build their hall on April 3, 1900, wrote the Journal. Three days later, as noted in the News, the building committee of the Turnverein agreed on placing their new building on the south end of their land and placed a tentative deadline of September 1 for completion.

Alongside the building, the South Side Turnverein also developed plans for a park near Fairview, with a dedication scheduled for July 3. As the News reported, “the buildings at the park, including shelter houses and waiting station, are in course of construction, and apparatus for outdoor gymnastics is being put up.”

Prominent Indianapolis leaders spoke at the dedication of the South Side Turnverein’s new hall in 1901, with nearly 3,000 people present. Herman Lieber, president of the North American Turnerbund, spoke on the members’ accomplishments and Charles E. Emmerich, superintendent of the Manual Training School, delivered the keynote address.

An illustration of the prospective building appeared in the Indianapolis News on June 7, 1900, with further details on the cost. “The plans for the club building of the South Side Turnverein have been completed and accepted by the building committee, and the contract has been awarded. . . . The building is to cost $30,000, and is to be completed by August 16.” The cost would later be recorded as $18,000 in a building permit notice published in the Journal as well as an article on new buildings published in the News.

The groundbreaking ceremony occurred on June 11, 1900, with South Side Turnverein President Henry Victor giving a speech and digging the first shovel of dirt, according to the Journal. The News later reported that the building would be ready for use by October 15.

One complication the South Side Turnverein experienced during the completion of the building came from the electrical workers union, who argued that some of the electrical work done on the building was non-union. Henry Victor, Turnverein president, was disturbed by this development as “it was understood that all work on the building was to be done by union labor,” as written in the Journal. An emergency meeting of the building committee was called between the Turnverein, the union, and Vonnegut and Bohn to resolve this dispute. The South Side Turnverein at said meeting “decided to insist that union labor be employed in the completion of the electrical work on their hall,” reported the News.

By November 30, work on the building was completed and a gathering was held for the press, “the first affair that has been given since the building was completed,” wrote the Journal. O. R. Wald, one of the Turnverein members, “extended a standing invitation” to all newspapers in the city. On December 2, the South Side Turnverein opened the hall to the public, on the organization’s eight-year anniversary. “In the afternoon the new building was thrown open to the public,” the News reported, “and it was inspected by a large number of visitors.”

The South Side Turnverein formally dedicated the new hall on January 20, 1901, with 3,000 in attendance. Designed and constructed in Renaissance Revival architecture, the building was constructed of pressed brick on a limestone foundation. Many speakers dedicated the new building, including Fred Mark, chairman of the building committee, Henry Victor, President of the organization, Herman Lieber, president of the North American Turnerbund, and Charles E. Emmerich, superintendent of the Manual Training School, among others. The building and grounds had a cumulative cost of $25,000, according to the Journal.

A banquet for around 400 people was held the night after the dedication, as noted by the Journal. The News wrote, “Henry Victor, master of ceremonies, welcomed the representatives of the various German societies at the ‘kommers,’ with which the South Side Turnverein last night closed the dedicatory services of its new hall. Many women were among the 400 guests and the evening was enjoyable.”

In November of 1901, the organization celebrated its ninth anniversary and the second anniversary in their new hall with a big event capped by musical numbers, athletic exhibitions, an address by President Henry Victor, wrote the Journal. They held a first anniversary of the public dedication of the building on January 13, 1902, with President Henry Victor receiving what the Journal called a “handsome bouquet at the conclusion of his speech.”

[4] Indianapolis South Side Turners, Minutes of the Athletic Committee, 1927-1931, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “City News Notes,” Indianapolis Journal, April 28, 1894, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Lifted 1,375 Pounds,” Indianapolis News, October 29, 1896, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Big 4 Route,” Indianapolis Journal, May 2, 1897, 1, Newspapers.com; “Return of the Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, May 12, 1897, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Prize Winning Athletic Club with Curt Toll,” May 1897, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Gave a Joint Exhibition,” Indianapolis Journal, April 18, 1898, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “The South Side Turners,” Indianapolis Journal, April 22, 1901, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis News, April 22, 1901, 12, Hoosier State Chronicles; “German Day Celebration,” Indianapolis Journal, August 26, 1901, 3, Newspapers.com; “South Side Turnverein Exhibition,” Indianapolis News, April 25, 1902, 16, Hoosier State Chronicles; “At South Side Turnverein,” Indianapolis Journal, April 20, 1903, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners in the City,” Indianapolis Journal, June 28, 1903, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Five Thousand There,” Indianapolis Journal, June 29, 1903, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Phoenix Club First in South Side League,” Indianapolis News, November 17, 1903, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Perform in Hall,” Indianapolis Journal, April 18, 1904, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Finley Will Speak on Public Schools,” Indianapolis News, May 11, 1916, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners Clash in Big Basket Contest with Physical Eds,” Indianapolis Times, January 16, 1920, 16, Hoosier State Chronicles; “I.A.A.U. Track Event Carded Here Tonight,” Indianapolis Times, March 17, 1920, 10, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Goett of the South Side Turners…,” Indianapolis Times, July 26, 1920, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Gymnastic Show,” Indianapolis Times, April 20, 1921, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Gymnastic and Dancing Tourney Here March 4,” Indianapolis Times, February 20, 1922, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners, Hoosiers Win” Indianapolis Times, February 21, 1924, 9, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners Open Monday,” Indianapolis Times, September 13, 1924, 11, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis Times, October 3, 1925, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Gymnasts Gather,” Indianapolis Times, November 30, 1928, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; Fred D. Cavinder, “City’s 1905 athletic festival rivaled Pan Am in spirit,” Indianapolis Star, March 23, 1987, 34, Newspapers.com; “Men’s Athletic Group Forming Pyramid,” 1900, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Men and Women Exercising in Gymnasium,” 1900, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Amateur Baseball Champions,” 1920, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Men's Basketball Team,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Women's Athletic Group,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners Women's Volleyball Team,” Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “Indianapolis South Side Turners, Minutes of the Athletic Committee, 1927-1931, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-137; “Turners in the City,” Indianapolis Journal, June 28, 1903, 10, Newspapers.com; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-137; Max Robinson Hyman, “South Side Turnverein,” The Journal Handbook of Indianapolis (Indianapolis: The Indianapolis Journal Newspaper Co., 1902), 180, Google Books; George Theodore Probst, The Germans in Indianapolis: 1840-1918 (Indianapolis: German-American Center & Indiana German Heritage Society, Inc., 1989), 134-137.

Athletic events hosted by the South Side Turnverein began almost immediately after the organization’s founding. In 1894, it hosted a “gymnastic entertainment” at English’s Opera House under the direction of H. Widdekind, as mentioned in the Indianapolis Journal.

An astonishing feat of body building happened in 1896 at the South Side Turnverein. Al Duty, described by the Indianapolis News as an “ex-patrolman,” lifted 1,375-pound dumbbells connected to a harness, setting a new world record. The Turnverein awarded him $50 for the feat.

The South Side Turnverein regularly participated in the annual Turnfest meetings, which brought Turner societies from all over the country together for social and athletic activities. In 1897, South Side and Socialer Turnvereins traveled to St. Louis, Missouri for the annual Turnfest, with the Indianapolis Journal reporting that “the South Side Turners were [also] prominent in some of the [athletic] contests.” The two organizations also hosted a gymnastics exhibition together in 1898 at Tomlinson Hall in Indianapolis, with over three hundred participants who performed flag drills and dumbbell exercises, noted the Journal.

An April 21, 1901 exhibition of the South Side Turnverein was held at its recently-completed hall, with 550 members—men, women, and children—participating in a variety of drills, including ring toss and dumbbell lifts, wrote the Journal.

On August 25, 1901, the South Side Turnverein held athletic contests participated at the annual “German Day” celebration in Indianapolis, attended by about 5,000. The South Side Turnverein won three of the five events: high jump, rope climbing, and broad jump. Gold medals were given to contestants with highest average score in all contests with Andy Niebling of the South Side Turnverein scoring the highest.

Regular exhibitions of its athletic programs were held at the hall. The Indianapolis News reported that an exhibition, led by Curt Toll, happened in the spring of 1902, with accompanying musical numbers.

In 1903, the South Side Turnverein hosted the North American Turnerbund and Gymnastics Association’s annual athletic contest. 5,000 people attended, according to the Journal. Mayor Bookwalter spoke and welcomed the visitors, praising the Germans for building South Side Turner Hall. The gymnastic tournament was two day and concluded with a festival ball at South Side Turner Hall. Also in 1903, the Turnverein was involved in the South Side Bowling League, beating the Stone Palace team in three games.

The South Side Turnverein held a gymnastics exhibition on April 17, 1904 at their hall on Prospect Street, with President Henry Victor as the master of ceremonies, according to the Indianapolis Journal. They continued they public exhibitions for years, as attested to by a 1916 article in the Indianapolis News and a 1921 piece in the Indianapolis Times. In 1922, according to the Times, the organization also participated in the first “gymnastic and dancing tournament of the Indiana Amateur Athletic Union,” sending three members to compete.

[5] “South Side Turnverein Offer,” Indianapolis News, April 13, 1917, 18, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners are Urged to Join the Red Cross,” Indianapolis News, April 30, 1917, 17, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Showing Their Colors,” Richmond Palladium and Sun-Telegram, February 25, 1918, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Reduced Dues to Soldiers,” Indianapolis News, August 25, 1919, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles.

In 1917, as American involvement in World War I began, the South Side Turnverein made a point to show support for the war effort and display its American patriotism. The Indianapolis News reported that F. J. Mack, then-president of the Turnverein, offered to Governor Goodrich the use of its buildings and grounds “for whatever uses the federal or state governments might make of them during the present war emergency.” They also donated funds to the Indianapolis Red Cross, which coincided with the North American Gymnastic Union, of which the South Side Turnverein was member, adopted a resolution urging its members to join the American Red Cross.

An article in the Richmond Palladium on February 25, 1918 further illustrated the South Side Turnverein’s commitment to the United States and its involvement in World War I. It read:

The meeting at the hall of the South Side Turnverein the other day was the first patriotic mass meeting of citizens of German extraction held in Indianapolis since America’s entrance into the war, nearly a year ago. Patriotic speeches were made, resolutions unanimously adopted reaffirming allegiance to the United States, pledging ‘enthusiastic support’ to the nation its war for democracy, and denouncing German militarism. Those who took part in the meeting performed a service for the entire German population of Indianapolis.

In 1919, after most wartime activities concluded, the South Side Turnverein offered discounted memberships to its organization to “all discharged soldiers and sailors who have been in the military service of the United States government,” the Indianapolis News reported.

[6] Indianapolis South Side Turners, Minutes of the Athletic Committee, 1927-1931, Indianapolis South Side Turners Collection, IUPUI University Library Center for Digital Scholarship; “South Side Turners Plan for Active Year,” Indianapolis Times, January 12, 1920, 3, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Competitive Turners to Stage Annual District Tournament Here Sunday,” Indianapolis Times, June 17, 1920, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Recreation Workers’ School Plan Approved,” Indianapolis News, August 26, 1920, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Society,” Indianapolis Times, December 5, 1921, 5, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Amateurs and Semi-Pros,” Indianapolis Times, April 14, 1922, 19, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners,” Indianapolis Times, September 13, 1924, 12, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Special Notices,” Indianapolis Times, February 11, 1930, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners Enter National Event,” Indianapolis Times, March 6, 1930, 14, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Strandbergs Out,” Kansas City Times, March 12, 1930, 12, Newspapers.com; “Special Notices,” Indianapolis Times, January 28, 1931, 13, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Home-Coming is Slated,” Indianapolis Times, November 25, 1931, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Beer Will Gurgle, Gurgle, Tanks Guzzle, Guzzle, in Brew Bout,” Indianapolis Times, September 8, 1933, 1, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Beer Bibbers to Front!,” Indianapolis Times, September 16, 1933, 7, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Sounds Call for Amateur Boxers,” Indianapolis Times, October 16, 1933, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “State Florists to Hold Dance,” Indianapolis Times, June 14, 1934, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “3,000 City Germans Attend Park Outing,” Indianapolis Times, August 27, 1934, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Direct City, County Ring Show,” Indianapolis Times, November 27, 1936, 31, Hoosier State Chronicles; “31 Fighters Are Scheduled To See Action,” Indianapolis Times, December 11, 1936, 40, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Turners to Hold Party,” Indianapolis Times, September 23, 1937, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Circling the City,” Indianapolis Times, March 24, 1938, 6, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Map Plans for Annual Amateur Boxing Show,” Indianapolis Times, November 21, 1938, 15, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Cottey Enters Boxing Meet,” Indianapolis Times, December 1, 1938, 24, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Classes at Turners,” Indianapolis Times, October 14, 1939, 11, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Clubs Discuss Change in Bus Route, Sewage,” Indianapolis Times, March 2, 1940, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Circus Opens Today,” Indianapolis Times, April 12, 1940, 16, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Names Turners’ Fight Aids,” Indianapolis Times, November 28, 1941, 37, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Note 50^th Anniversary,” Indianapolis Times, March 14, 1945, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Dalton to Train Boxers for S.S.T. City-County Meet,” Indianapolis Times, September 26, 1946, 30, Hoosier State Chronicles; Eddie Ash, “Sports Roundup,” Indianapolis Times, December 6, 1946, 34, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Win Basketball Title,” Indianapolis Times, February 21, 1949, 8, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Clark Charges Neglect of the South Side,” Indianapolis Times, October 17, 1951, 12, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Volleyball Loop To Hold Meet At Fall Creek Y,” Indianapolis Recorder, October 7, 1961, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Card Party,” Speedway Flyer, March 26, 1964, 4, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners Youth Organization,” Speedway Flyer, October 30, 1969, 2, Hoosier State Chronicles; “Ailing Fireman to Get $6,000 From Benefit,” Indianapolis Star, March 27, 1971, 17, Hoosier State Chronicles; “South Side Turners to Close Doors Oct. 1,” Indianapolis Star, July 16, 1977, 21, Newspapers.com; “Southside Turners to Get Deserved ‘Big Blowout’ Party,” Indianapolis Star, July 24, 1977, 47, Newspapers.com; “Turners to Celebrate Closing,” Indianapolis Star, September 29, 1977, 15, Newspapers.com; “WABrennan,” Indianapolis Star, November 6, 1977, 98, Newspapers.com; Thomas R. Keating, “Mercer, Elrod Won’t Let Old S.S. Turners Die,” Indianapolis Star, August 26, 1979, 102, Newspapers.com; “Raising’ Old Glory,” Indianapolis Star, January 23, 1980, 45, Newspapers.com; “MAAC Expanding,” Indianapolis Star, April 6, 1980, “On the Indy night scene,” Indianapolis News, April 13, 1989, 56, Newspapers.com; “Sports Notes,” Indianapolis Star, March 30, 1997, 42, Newspapers.com; Gregg Doyel, “This gym has some history,” Indianapolis Star, December 14, 2014, C1, C9, Newspapers.com; James Glass, “Historic landmark reborn on Indy’s Southside,” Indianapolis Star, May 4, 2018, IndyStar.com; Dan Grossman, “Southside Turnverein Reopens After Renovation,” Nuvo, November 15, 2018, Nuvo.net.

After World War I, the South Side Turnverein, more often referred to by this time as the “South Side Turners,” continued to be a vibrant part of the Indianapolis community. In 1920, retiring President Albert G. Berg noted that “the return of members from service in the army has added a new vigor and life to the organization,” the Indianapolis Times wrote.

By the 1920s, the organization maintained an athletic committee as well as men’s and women’s physical fitness activities. Some of its members competed in several athletic events and competitions, including amateur baseball (1920 champions), men’s basketball, gymnastics, volleyball, and competitive field events such as track and pole vaulting. Regarding basketball, the Turnverein competed in the 1930 American Athletic Union basket tourney in Kansas City, as mentioned in the Indianapolis Times.

Boxing also became a big part of the South Side Turnverein’s athletic program. In 1933, there was a general call for boxers for the group’s boxing team in the Indianapolis Times, who would train under Jimmy Dalton, a former professional boxer. “Local events and inter-city contests are on the Turner program,” the Times elaborated. The organization held a boxing tournament in 1936, the Times reported, that included 31 fighters across eight weight divisions in novice class, open class, and one exhibition match.

The South Side Turnverein served as the locale for the “establishment of a school for training recreation workers for playgrounds and community centers” in 1920, which the city’s “recreation department expects to improve the recreational and vocational instruction given children,” the Indianapolis News reported.

While membership peaked in the 1930s, South Side Turnverein membership and programming stayed vibrant until after the Second World War, hosting sports and social events. For example, in 1934, the South Side Turnverein participated in the annual Federation of German Societies in Indianapolis, showing their athletic skills to more than 3,000 attendees, the Indianapolis Times wrote. Regarding athletics, the Times reported that the South Side Turnverein offered classes in volleyball, basketball, fencing, apparatus boxing, indoorball, and gymnastics work in 1939, under the tutelage of William Trackler.

In 1938, the South Side Turnverein celebrated its 45^th anniversary with a large celebration at its hall, complete with an appearance from the Indianapolis Liederkranz, as noted by the Times.

By the 1960s and 1970s, the organization was involved in fewer athletic and cultural events, as evidenced by the slowdown in references to the organization in digitized newspapers originally published across Indianapolis. Nevertheless, in 1961, they were one of many groups involved in the city’s volleyball league. A youth section continued at least until 1969, the women’s group also continued to host its “card parties” as late as 1973, and participated in the city’s Oktoberfest celebration, as noted by the News, Star, and Times.

The South Side Turnverein formally closed its doors on October 1, 1977, as its hall “became too expensive for its 62 members to maintain and with the building of Interstate 70, parking became limited,” the Star reported. Tony Elrod, Rob Mercer, and Ray Bauman bought the building in 1979 for $28,500 and renamed it the Madison Avenue Athletic Club. By 1980, they were providing court rentals to basketball and volleyball leagues, developed a weightlifting room, and opened a restaurant.

The South Side Turnverein continued to be active in the community, albeit in much smaller form, at least until 2004, mostly participating in German cultural events like Oktoberfest, according to the Indianapolis Star.

After years of deteriorating conditions, Besty Brougher and William Atkins, owners of Point Comfort Underwriters, purchased the South Side Turnverein Hall in 2016 for $950,000, using the federal historic rehabilitation text credit. The building was restored and formally reopened on November 9, 2018.