Source: Haas, Oscar. History of
New Braunfels and Comal County, Texas, 1844-1946;
Hart Graphics, Inc.; Austin, TX, 1968, pp. 104-105.
Used with permission.
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New Braunfels Turnverein (Athletic Club)
The first club was organized on 1 Jul 1855. Charter members were: Hermann Seele, F. Roger, G. Bechstaedt, G. Hanshen, Aug. Pfeuffer, D. Pfeuffer, A. Scholl, O. Riebeling, J. Eggeling, C. Griesenbeck, F. Moureau, Emil von Stein, H. Scholl, F. Lindheimer, H. Zum Berge, Julius Bothe, F. Beckstaedt, E. Griesenbeck, H. Conring, J. Brehmer, H. Tolle, K. Gramm, F. Tolle, B.C. Iwonsky, L. Meyer, Eug. Gehrung, Walther Tips, A. Iwonsky, C. Dambmann, F. Reese, H. Penshorn.
A second club was organized during 1870, according to two news items. Neu-Braunfelser Zeitung, 5 May 1871: "Last Saturday, the two local athletic clubs went to San Antonio to take part in an athletics tournament. Reception on Saturday Apr 29. That night, fun festival with speaking, singing, etc.; Sunday forenoon, parade to San Pedro Spring; afternoon, prize athletics exhibitions, and athletic sports; at night, dancing and fireworks. Monday: business meeting. Delegates present from Austin, High Hill, New Braunfels, San Antonio. Main topic: whether to join the North American Athletic League. Resolved to form a local athletics circuit."
4 Jul 1871, the two athletic clubs took part in the parade. After doing the streets here the parade proceeded to the Weichold Hall in Comaltown… Following the afternoon program of music and song by the (old) New Braunfels Maennerchor, the parade formed once more and, headed by the band, accompanied the New Braunfels Schuetzenverein to the target range. Towards evening the recently enrolled militia practiced drills under command of Major R. Bodemann on the level area below the hall, and the two athletics clubs performed difficult gymnastic excercises accompanied with music."
"Last Saturday, the second anniversary of the founding of the Turnverein Braunfels was observed. Celebrations began with a parade through the streets to Weichold Hall. On arrival there the members exhibited athletic excercises on horizontal bars following which Dr. Rudolph Wipprecht, superintendent of gymnastics, spoke on the intrinsic value of athletic clubs whose purpose besides physical training, included developing the creative use of the intellect and a noble moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct of youth."
1 and 2 May 1874, the Athletics Circuit tournament was held in New Braunfels presumably in the Turnverein Halle.
When in 1880 the International and Great Northern railroad (now M-P) was built from Austin via New Braunfels to San Antonio, the Turnverein New Braunfels donated Town Lot No. 194 to the railroad company, "for the location and maintenance of the freight depot."