This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
[Saengerfest n. [G. sängerfest.] A festival
of singers; a German singing festival]
WATERTOWN'S
Watertown Daily Times,
Back last year when the Daily Times published the "Faces and
Places" book, there were questions on several of the photos. But one photo
in particular raised questions of a number of people.
That photo was of the old arch which stood just a few feet from our
offices, at the west edge of the
Questions we have been getting about the arch centered around when it
was erected, when it came down and what was its purpose.
Well, we did a little looking around and found some information which
will help to explain the arch, at least in part.
The arch on
Saengerfest was a gathering of German singing societies, and our
community went all out, including the construction of that arch at the entrance
to downtown and also decorations throughout the city.
We found a report on the 1875 Saengerfest in the June 26 issue of the
Watertown Republican. We're going to include that report in our column today to
give you a "flavor" of what Saengerfest was all about. It was for
these celebrations that the arch was constructed.
What we don't have the answer to is how long the arch remained. It
almost sounds as if the arch was dismantled after every Saengerfest, and then
either brought out again or a new one constructed at each event. But, the photo
published above sure looks like more of a "permanent" structure in
downtown Watertown.
Here's
what the Watertown Republican of
|
"With the exception of that portion of the programme allotted to
Bach's musicians, the concert was composed of home talent, and right well was
the reputation of Watertown sustained by all who participated. The singing of
the Quartette Club, led by Prof. Hoeper, was a marked feature
of the evening's entertainment, and called forth the hearty plaudits of the
entire audience. The chorus and solos by the Watertown Musical Society,
Concordia, under the direction of Prof. E.C. Gaebler, were finely
rendered and won warm testimonials of approval from all present. Mr. H.N.
Hutchins of Bach's band, gave some specimens of cornet playing, which for
beauty of execution and sweetness of sound, was seldom if ever before
listened to by our citizens. Mr. Hutchins is certainly one of the foremost
cornet players of this or any other country. The hospitalities of the city
were extended to our guests through the President of the council, J.T.
Moak, Esq., who delivered an address highly appropriate to the occasion,
which was followed by words of welcome from Philip Schmidt, Esq., in
behalf of the Watertown Musical Society, Concordia. Trains Friday night and
Saturday morning from all directions brought in full quotas of singers and
visitors until our streets were literally overrun with people, and our city
presented a scene of activity and bustle never before seen. The musical
exercises on Saturday were opened with a grand musical matinee at Turner Hall
in the afternoon, which was largely attended. The programme included fine
selections from some of the most eminent composers and all were rendered with
grand effect. In the evening the concert embraced the prize singing among the
several societies competing for prizes. The Saturday evening entertainment
was, perhaps, the most interesting of the series, and called out a larger
audience than the previous evening, the ball being crowded to excess. The
contest among the societies was the means of bringing out the fine singing
from the members and a deep interest was manifested over the result. The
audience was treated to some magnificent choruses, such as comes within the
province of but few to hear. The building fairly shook with the applause that
was given as each society withdrew after competing for the prize. Everything,
however, passed off harmoniously, and at the close the best of feeling
prevailed among the vocalists. After the concert, the hall was given over to
conviviality and enjoyment, and a happier or more sociable, and, withal, a
more-decorus crowd of people could not very well be imagined. Even in the
noise and confusion there was politeness and good feeling everywhere
apparent. "Sunday morning excursion trains brought additional hundreds to
the masses already assembled and enjoying themselves within the city. Sunday
afternoon the great projective point for the singers and visitors was the
Pic-nic and Concert of all the societies and orchestra, on Concordia
Island. It is estimated that eight thousand people visited the park
during the afternoon, and the festivities on the Island only closed as the
shades of evening drew near. In the evening a grand ball took place at Turner Hall, the Turner Park being beautifully illuminated. Sunday night and
early Monday morning witnessed the departure of vast numbers from the scene
of their enjoyment and pleasure, but still a large portion lingered to
participate in the closing exercises on Monday morning, consisting of the
distribution of prizes, congratulations and farewells. The La Crosse society
had the honor of carrying away the first prize. The second was bestowed upon
the Freien Germeinde, of Milwaukee. The Freeport, Illinois, Society was
awarded the third, and the Janesville Society received the fourth. Some of
the societies, and among them the Watertown, Concordia, did not compete for
prizes. "The following Societies were represented at the Saengerfest: Milwaukee Maennerchor. |
From this report you can see that the Saengerfest was a pretty big
deal when it was held in Watertown. We were a huge German community (and to a
certain extent we still are!), and a logical site for a German music festival.
Text
COPYRIGHTED by the Watertown Daily Times.
