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Did you know?-
Did you know that the American Turners, together with were instrumental in getting elected as president ?
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Did you know that the American turners provided the bodyguard at Lincoln's inauguration March 4, 1861 and also at Lincoln's funeral ?
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Did you know that in 1948 the United
States Post Office issued a 3-cent commemorative stamp marking the
100th anniversary of the movement ? And that you can
find and purchase these stamps on the internet ?
The American Turners
There are currently 60 Turner societies throughout the United States.
Elgin, IL is home to one of them. The Elgin Turners is the oldest club
of continuous existence in Elgin. On May 6, 1883, the Elgin Turners
celebrated 125 years since they were chartered as a society of the
American Turners.
The first American Turners societies were formed in 1848 by political
refugees on the losing side of the 1848-1849 revolution in Germany.
Turners or “Turnverein” is an organization originating in Germany in
1778. Turnverein is a club of gymnastics or tumblers. However this
definition does not adequately encompass all aspects of the Turners. The
Turner motto: “A Sound Mind in a Sound Body”,
represents founder Friedrich Ludwig Jahn’s beliefs and is still the
belief of the American Turners today.
The first American Turners was a progressive institution. Once here in
the United States, they prevailed to fight for their principals and new
country in the Civil War. Turners were instrumental in the introduction
of physical education in public schools. And some societies were active
in the industrial labor movement of the 1870s and 1880s.
Read more about the history of the Turners at the American Turners
website.
The Elgin Turners HistoryNow the site of the Elgin Turners, the Villa Street building dates from the early 1870s when Father Fitzsimmons of St. Mary's Parish purchased the site. A dream ahead of its time, the structure sat partially completed until funds for finishing it became available in the late 1870s. St. Mary's School moved to its current Gifford Street site across from its parent church in the 1920s.
The Elgin Turners celebrated 125 years of existence in
2008. The following history of the Elgin Turners is taken from the Elgin Turner's Centennial Edition 1883-1983. As of 1983:
The Elgin Turners
Although it's charter dates from May 6, 1883, Elgin Turnverein actually had it's inception in 1881 when several members of the community began to meet regularly for song and fellowship. Calling themselves the Concordias, and meeting at 164 E. Chicago St., a building later to be named Concordia Hall. Members were of German heritage.
Realizing the need for physical culture as well as song, various members of the organization formed Elgin Turnverein, and move their activities to the Lynch building at 106 W. Chicago St. There, on that date in May, 1883, Elgin Turnverein was chartered as a Society of the American Turners, which was then only 35 years old.
In its 100 years, the Turnverein of Elgin has compiled an exceptional record. Not only can it boast of being the oldest club of continuous existence in Elgin, but it is also one of the most respected clubs in the community. Over the years, its members have made substantial contributions to the community life of the entire Elgin area. Among its membership of both German and non-German heritage, is numbered some of Elgin's outstanding citizens.
The Concordia group, continuing until 1887 as a separate unit, dropped its activities and joined the Elgin Turnverein. Larger now, and still an active growing organization, the Turners selected the new quarters at 152-154 E. Chicago St. This became Turner Hall. This site was later to become the home of the Elgin Lodge #799 Loyal Order of Moose. During these golden years before the turn of the century, Turners held their outings at Trout Park. In 1895, a Turnfest was held at which several thousand persons were present, including 1000 active Illinois Turners. In 1902, Elgin Turners boasted a Drum & Fife Corps. In 1927 Elgin had a Turner band. Its gymnastic team brought honor and fame to the city of Elgin. In 1904, with membership at 300, there was some breakup of groups and other societies. The main group moved to 58 Douglas Ave.
Spirits were high in the new quarters of the Turners. The practice of gymnastics continued over the protests of first floor tenants who complained that their lamps were dropping off the ceiling. In 1917, the membership moved to 110-112 Milwaukee St. There the Frauenverein (ladies section), came into being. Activities gradually increased to the point where Turner programs were available to all members of the family.
On July 25, 1925, the Turners purchased St. Mary's school building at 112 Villa St. It was a bold move for the organization which then faced an indebtedness of eight thousand dollars, against three thousand dollars in reserves for current expenses and to finance needed changes in the structure. In July 1934, the mortgage was burned. During the nine year period, the Elgin Turners had put fifteen thousand dollars into the new equipment as well as keeping up their current expenses. Dues were twenty-five cents per month.
A multi-phased remodeling program was started with an addition to the west side of the building. This was accomplished in 1939. Following this, a steel tower fire escape was removed and the addition of an enclosed fire stairway was erected in 1946. Basement and north-end additions and kitchen improvements were made in 1951, and in 1958, the peaked roof of the building was removed, providing more gymnasium space and giving the building a more modern appearance. Plans for a new modern front were planned but never completed.
Elgin Turners have always been interested in bringing to Elgin outstanding physical culture programs, as well as opening their quarters to all visiting German groups. As an illustration, the Turners, in 1958, were host to the West German gymnastic team which performed before an estimated twenty-five hundred persons in Elgin High School's gymnasium. This was the first appearance of German gymnastics in Elgin's history. The Turners have been host to German business men and women who have visited Elgin. The organization opened its facilities to German Navy service men receiving special training at Great Lakes Naval Station.
In 1967, another major remodeling took place in the grill room. Three supporting posts were removed from the floor and three I-Beams now hold up the gymnasium floor giving us the grill room as we see it today.
In 1973, the Elgin Turners voted to re-join the American Turners, thereby giving us access to the Illinois Turner Camp located 2 miles north of Algonquin on the shores of the Fox River. A brief word or two about the Camp; It was opened approximately in 1915 based on an idea by Alfred Wild who wanted to give his gym classes, both boys and girls, outdoor activities and gymnastics. It comprises 145 acres of land with numerous cottages and various activity buildings, athletic field, and an L-shaped swimming pool. In 1981, Turner Camp was selected as the permanent location for the American Turners National Gym Camp and the home of the Turner National Team.
In 1978, another major purchase was made for the organization. We purchased the gas station next to us on the corner, thereby increasing our property from our building up to the corner, giving us more parking space and eventually using all of the area for parking.
For many years the Elgin Turners were fortunate to have a Ladies Auxiliary. These women donated their time and talents for many Turner events, and without them no history of the Elgin Turners would be complete. They have been organizers, cooks, decorators, and many other things which have helped the Elgin Turners run their parties, meetings and other get-togethers. We would like to thank them.
Among other things that the Turners are very proud of, is that we have five, three-generation families and one, four-generation family. We hope this will increase as the years go by. We will continue to make the organization as good or better than it was in the past.
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This site was last updated
05/29/08
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Friedrich L. Jahn
(1778 - 1852)
Father of Turnerism
Click a photo to enlarge:
Charter Members
Turner Band
St. Mary's 1880
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