"Hair raising fun"
Manning's Kinderfest has its beginnings in 1881 when members of the German Schuetzen Verein held a community event for the first time.
For years 1883 has been stated as the first Children's Day, but having researched Manning's history, it dates back to 1881 and while it wasn't called
Kinderfest it was the precursor and in 1882 the celebration became solely about children and of course the King Shoot. So this would make 2023, the 142nd annual Children's Day.
Only during WWI, WWII, and one year during the Covid pandemic was the event not held.
On April 11, 1879, the Manning Schuetzen Verein was incorporated under the state laws of Iowa. February 9, 1932, the Verein celebrated its golden anniversary.
Front side - back side
In the basement was a beer bar where keg beer at 5c a stein flowed freely. Built around the bar was a wooden, slatted platform on which the bar drinkers stood to keep their feet from getting wet from the foam blown off the top of the beer mugs.
Upstairs, on the east side of the hall, was a balcony with several small rooms in which were large double-sized beds. On dance nights the rooms were used for a baby-sitting service. A woman was hired by the Club to care for the children of the dancing parents below.
To attend one of these dances was a highlight on the social calendar. Husbands bought corsages for their wives. Frequently midnight suppers, prepared and served by hired cooks, were enjoyed by the dancers at small tables arranged under the balcony and in the basement.
On St. Patrick's Day in 1925, a dance was planned for the evening's entertainment. The janitor over-fired the coal burning furnace and at noon the building
burst into flames and was destroyed in a very short time. However, the members of the Schuetzen Verein were active, community-minded men who immediately
planned another opera house on the same site. This time it would be a fire-proof building.
The house on the corner with picket fence on the south and east sides was once the home of Joachim Heinrich and Wiebke Schroeder after they retired from farming.
The next house to the north is where Claus & Clara (Ewoldt) Clausen and their children grew up, one of whom was Ila (Claussen) Rix - Mrs. Art.
Memory by Gerhardt Voge September 29, 2018: Leonard Farrell's mother, Emma (Sommerfeldt) Farrell lived in this home after the Schroeders.
In 1937, Twin Gables service station was built there by Albert Puck. It is assumed that Albert would have had the old house torn down.
Gerhardt also noted that Elm Street was called Scheiße "Shit" Street, because on Hog Day, the farmers that came from the west and south would drive down
Elm Street from Iowa 46 (later Highway 141) with their wagons full of hogs to the various stockyards in north Manning for the railroads.
Featured in the 1956 Diamond Jubilee issue of the Monitor
The Manning Schuetzen-Verein, organized February 9, 1882, held the distinction
of being the oldest organization in Manning. It was founded when the town was about four months old.
Charter members were Chris Grube, H.D. Radeleff, Henry Hoffmann, Henry Grube, William Schoop, John Albert, John Hoffmann, Henry Vogt, and Carl Steffen. The first officers were William Schoop, president; John Albert, treasurer; Henry D. Radeleff, secretary.
After a few years of renting club rooms for meetings, it was decided to build a substantial hall for all entertainment and to offer the use of this hall to the public. The hall was built in 1884 and served the community as the main amusement center until it burned down March 17, 1925.
Modern Building
The entire membership then unanimously decided to erect a modern building for
the benefit of the community and for the purpose of carrying out their previous
program. The building was erected under the governing body of the Verein of
that year; namely, Robert Kuhl, president; Henry Albert, vice president; A.J.
Reinhold, secretary; J.P. Reinhold, treasurer; John Frahm, P.A. Martens and Rudolph Kuhl, trustees.
Approximate cost of the building was $24,000, the total value with site about $28,000. The dimensions are 60'x100', constructed of solid brick and steel reinforcement. The building long held the reputation of being one of the most magnificent club houses and dancing parlors in western Iowa.
On April 11, 1879, the organization was incorporated under the state laws of Iowa. February 9, 1932, the Verein celebrated its golden anniversary. The group dissolved a few years ago.
Postcard to August Wunder 1907
Manning Schuetzen-Verein
Funeral for John Louis Louisfield October 21, 1907
It is amazing at how many different types of activities that were held in the Germania Hall (Opera House), and the community broadly supported those events.
After the Germania hall burned down in March 1925, a new brick building was built in its place...so now I'll show some pictures and information about this next Schuetzen Hall.
The following news item is taken from the November 26, 1926, issue of the Manning Monitor:
"NEW $35,000 OPERA HOUSE TO OPEN ON WEDNESDAY, DEC. 2" BUILDING THEN COMPLETED WILL BE ONE OF THE FINEST HALLS IN THE STATE ...This fine building is an ornament to the town and the members deserve congratulations for their community spirit in erecting this magnificent structure. Being a club house, it is a question whether another building equal in size and artful architecture, built by a social organization, can be located in the state of Iowa today.
The dimensions of the building are 60x100 feet, basement the same size, main or dancing floor 60x60 feet, stage 20x40 feet and a balcony 20x60 feet, which has underneath the cloak and janitor room and a ticket office, all of which have splendid oak finish woodwork. A modern heating plant has been installed which is perfectly capable of heating the large building most comfortably.
The steel window frames have the capacity of opening to either side, causing perfect ventilation, qualifying the building for all entertainments in the different seasons. The outside walls are special selected, attractive colored, weather resisting pressed brick, which are lined and trimmed on top, on the corners, door frames or whatever suitable with white cement blocks. An $800 drop curtain with curtains of other sceneries of the latest models adorn the stage. Dressing rooms are under the stage and easily accessible from both sides of the stage. In brief, this magnificent structure is the pride of the community and its owners have a most beautiful home of which they can be justly proud."
For the opening dances December 2 and 3 two famous orchestras "Pete's Peerless Players" and "Cato's Vagabonds" were engaged to furnish the music.
A contest was held to name the new building. Ethel Lee, wife of Superintendent Amos Lee, won the prize by naming it the O-C-O-LA, after the OCO (Omaha Cut Off) road that skirted the east edge of Manning. However, the name never caught on, and the old-timers continued calling it The Schuetzen Hall.
Its popularity as a dance hall was unequaled in the area. Regularly scheduled were such big name dance bands as the Lawrence Welk Orchestra, Ted Fiorita's Band, Herbie Kay with famous singer Dorothy Lamour, Cato's Vagabonds, and Manning's own Pete Kuhl's Peerless Players. The Club prospered, the beautiful structure served its purpose well, and members of the community spoke of it with pride.
Among the most popular dances were the Masquerade Balls. Many people spent months designing their costumes, while others rented them from a huge stock kept by Mrs. Henry Thompson in a corner of the cloak room at the Opera House. The dance was a family affair. At midnight, masks were removed, prizes awarded for the best costume, and a big lunch was offered. The children were either sent home with older brothers and sisters or tucked among the coats in the balcony, while their parents danced till the wee hours of the morning.
But astonishing changes were in the wings. Radio and television were well on the way to take first place in the entertainment world. Attendance at the dances dwindled. It became increasingly more difficult for the managers of the Club to keep the hall operating on a profitable basis. There was little-money for necessary repair and slowly the building began to deteriorate. Eventually the Club, having incurred a debt of $10,000, sought buyers. Finally, the Fire Department, saddened at the deterioration, voted to issue bonds to pay off the mortgage and assume responsibility.
With new supervision came new life. Dances were resumed. An innovation was the battle dances, two orchestras playing for one dance. The musical battles became popular and were a big help in paying off the mortgage. Other activities such as Thanksgiving feather parties, poultry shows, trade fairs, Children's Day activities, theatricals, home talent plays, wedding dances, graduation ceremonies, and firemen banquets all helped to alleviate the weight of the debt.
But time marched on. New churches had their own large halls, more modern, comfortable, and convenient for the weddings, banquets, and entertainments. Dances were no longer profitable. The younger generation had no further use for the old hall. For a few years it stood empty. In 1960 it was converted into Junior High classrooms until the new school building was finished. In 1965 it became a warehouse for the Russco Manufacturing Company.
In 1975 the Fire Department decided repair bills were too numerous. They offered it, mortgage free, to the voters. It was refused. At last the Firemen, seeking a site for a new fire station, voted, reluctantly, to raze the old hall to make room for the new. After 50 years of service, the once "beautiful magnificent structure" had come to the end of the line.
As the old building came tumbling down, many old-timers watching spoke fondly of "The Schuetzen Hall", and the memories stirring were pleasant ones.
Additional information as recalled by Dave Kusel: Wade "Bud" Mohr and also Ronald Colling offered to purchase the building but they were turned down.
Just look at the AMAZING design and brick work!!!!!
You don't see buildings built like this today.
This structure was only 50 years old when it was torn down.
Again, another historic building that should have never been torn down...
I always thought it was fun to see the top of the Firemen's Hall roof - just a vivid memory I have.
Concrete ramp on the northeast corner that was used to gain access to the dance floor area.
On back written: "Last day of high school" - class of 1934
Back: Bill Ohde, Albert Boock, Harlyn Hinz, Launetta Murphy
Front: Marjorie Martens, Bob Petersen, Bernice Dethlefs
Classes were held in the basement and also upper level at times from the 1930s through 1973.
Manning Campus ended
when the new high school was built, at the present location, in 1972-73
1937 Children's Day - view of the "Opera doors" on the south wall which allowed air to move across the stage.
Back: Esther (Jensen) Popp, Ann (Frahm) Popp
Front: Marilyn (Popp) Nelson, Robert Popp
Looking southeast along Elm Street
Calvin Stammer, Clifford Stammer, Eugene Koester
The ride background right was the "Round Up" which was a favorite of Nancy (Stoberl) Stammer.
Bob Hoffmann, Phil Knaack - Children's Day King Shoot in the basement of the Firemen's Hall.
Rides on the east side - during Children's Day 1965
I just noticed this: Christine (Sonksen) & her husband George Mohr in the background.
Karl Rutz is probably in the front car.
I also can't believe it but I remember the man in the hat from the carnival, who drove the train.
Children's Day dance where the King & Queen and the the first 6 places would dance...later on the adults would dance.
Leo Daeges band provided the live music
on the stage. Photos taken from the balcony on the north end of the building.
June 6, 1950 - if you can ID anyone please e-mail me.
The plans are that this crystal ball is to be hung out at the Heritage Park, since Merlyn's museum has closed.
1956 Diamond Jubilee celebration
Labert "Bud" Stahl, LaVerne Olsen serving drinks on the east end of the balcony.
Hubert & Amelia Lamp, Minnie & Bill Jensen
Charter event of the Manning Rotary
Bill Ohde standing on the stage - shortly before this hall was torn down.
1975
In the right background is the Twin Gables where Caseys was first located.
The Twin Gables was another architecturally amazing structure that once stood in Manning...built by Albert Puck
Here are 3 items of history I scanned that give a little idea about that Verein.
The ribbon and medallion is from the Three Mile House even though it says Hayes Township.
I'm
guessing that the medal was made by the same company that made medals for the Five Mile House and the wrong Township was printed on it.
1914 invitation
Esteemed Rifle-Club Member,
By resolution the General Assembly of the Three-Mile-House-Rifle-Club will take place on Sunday the 14th January 1912.
Julius Rix, Secretary