Laramie’s Maennerchor Society organized for singing: Good times were in abundance at its entertainments
“Male choir” is the English translation for the German word Maennerchor. It describes 19th century German social clubs in northeastern U.S. Like the others, Laramie’s served up German culture and a variety of beers. The name, hard to spell and harder to pronounce, is a forgotten relic today although for nearly 35 years it held a prominent place in the early social history of Laramie.
Sturdy Germans
One man’s love of singing led to the organization of the local Maennerchor Society. German-born William Marquardt was the music instructor in the Laramie city schools where he was held in high regard and given the honorific title of “Professor” in most newspaper references. He had come here from Philadelphia where he studied music and was leading tenor in a group called the Civilian Circle. It’s likely that he had encountered a Maennerchor group during his eastern sojourn.
The Laramie Maennerchor Society was officially organized on January 2, 1882 with the help of Marquardt and Dr. Philip Guenster. Thirteen “sturdy Germans” met at the residence of August “Rading,” according to the newspaper—not to be confused with another Laramie man of German origin, August Trabing, also a member. Elected were George Berner as the first president, and Marquardt as the musical director.
The first meeting place was the blacksmith shop of Nick Thies on Front St. Later the growing membership rented rooms over the old “Co-op” store and then over Hunt’s butcher shop. Marquardt gave the members singing lessons with a zither for musical accompaniment.
Local talent shows
When Hesse Hall at 106 Thornburgh (now Ivinson Ave.) was completed, the group used that 200-seat capacity building as the venue for their public performances—comic operas with dancing afterward in the hall. The Maennerchor Society’s suppers, served by the associated lady’s group, were also spoken of in the newspapers with enthusiasm.
On February 25, 1885, Hesse Hall was filled to capacity for a series of musical entertainments featuring the local six-member “Dilettante Orchestra” along with songs from the Maennerchor. The audience was “thoroughly in spirit with the society” said the reporter covering the opening. He added: “The society will soon be compelled to secure larger quarters,” anticipating a move that the Society no doubt was considering. The period between 1882 and 1902 could be called the “opera house era” in Wyoming’s theatrical history and the Maennerchor wanted to become a part of it.
Mannerchor Hall procured
In January of 1886, the Maennerchor Society bought the property at 311 and 313 3rd St. from Craig & Dimmilt, (north of what is now Alsco Cleaners). The building was constructed in 1884 and had been the site of an indoor roller skating rink.
The Society remodeled, adding a stage 40 feet long by 25 feet wide and 12 feet high. They added space in the rear for meeting rooms where the society’s study and practice of vocal music could be held. Apparently the society Americanized the spelling of its name for the hall to “Mannerchor,” though the Society itself retained the original spelling thus creating much confusion for newspaper copyreaders.
The 600-seat capacity made the new hall a rival to the Holliday Opera House, which closed its doors the following year, in 1887. At the dedication of the new Mannerchor Hall, the Laramie Full Orchestra entertained. The dedication address was given in both English and German. During the following week they advertised that two beautiful operettas would be given the following week with a “supper dance on Thursday.”
In 1894 a competitor emerged when the former Root wagon and buggy business at 207 S. 3rd St. became Root’s Opera House. However, there seemed to be enough business for both entertainment venues to prosper in Laramie.
Sellout crowds
During the next thirty-five years, nearly everyone in Laramie had occasion to hear the Maennerchor Society’s voices. Its performances were given to sellout crowds. But the Society also gave free performances at weddings, funerals, graduations and benefits hosted by other opera houses.
The hall was also used for traveling groups. The well-known actress Lily Langtry appeared on its stage, as did John Philip Sousa on his continental band tour. Others mentioned in newspaper ads for Mannerchor Hall included “Dolly the Trick Horse,” the U. S Marine Band, and the Boston Operatic Concert with “world famous violoncellist Madam Hamon with her 12 musicians” as the publicity promised. The hall was also used for boxing matches.
Former Laramie newspaperman, Bill Nye, came back to Laramie’s Mannerchor Hall as a stop on his national tour of stage performances. Nye performed there on two separate dates: April 27, 1889 with John Whitcomb Riley which was billed as “An unbroken sequence of Remarks, Dialect Sketches, Stories and Character Studies of their own creations” and February 7, 1893 with A. P. Burbank. Admission for these performances was $1.00, equivalent to $27.87 today.
Hall rentals abound
Mannerchor Hall became known as a premier place in Laramie to hold both public and private events. Many parties, dances and elegant masquerade balls, lectures and political debates were described at length in local newspapers.
Some of the most remarkable events noted by the press were the celebration of the golden wedding anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Ivinson and five years later the observance of their fifty-fifth anniversary. Both events were characterized by elaborate decorations and handsome costumes with three columns devoted to articles about the events.
The Locomotive Fireman and Engineers, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias, University cadets, Grand Army of the Republic and many others held balls there. Madame Auerback, the Denver costumer, would often advertise her showing of the most complete and largest stock of masquerade suits ever shown in the city for ball attendees to rent for reasonable prices. “Professor” Marquardt’s children’s choir was a frequent attraction—standing room only was reported for its performances in Mannerchor Hall.
The “Cowboys of the Laramie Plains” held one of its annual balls for 100 couples after a lively afternoon rodeo exhibition at the stockyards. The menu was very clever—leaving guests guessing what they were eating. Items like “Extra Fancy Jack Rabbit Tracks, Deviled Coyote Yelps, Fricasseed Sage Brush and Prairie Dog Barks Raw served with Alkali Punch” were just a few dishes from the menu.
Many women’s church groups held their fundraising dinners and dances at Mannerchor Hall. Some were three-day affairs, selling homemade items with admission ranging from 10 to 35 cents. Supper was included, and of course, dancing afterwards.
Some of the German Lutheran Church fundraising dinners included traditional German food such as oysters, tongue, veal loaf, sauerkraut and wienerwurst, cabbage dishes and potato pancakes. This meal would be followed by the entertainment of Nagel’s orchestra and the Maennerchor, singing in both German and English.
German “Kirmess”
A major fundraising event for the Maennerchor Society was the Kirmess (also kermess, or kermis). The Laramie society celebrated this early traditional German and Dutch festival custom for many years before it was phased out; the last Laramie Kirmess celebration was held in 1907.
Laramie’s Kirmess began with a bottle of wine or other liquor, which represented the historical harvest significance of the occasion. This bottle was buried by a member of the society at a secret place known only to him. One year later it was unearthed and with it the discoverer would join an evening parade of costumed folks who met and escorted him through the streets of Laramie to the hall, which was decorated with evergreens.
There the bottle was opened, tasted, and a three-night festival with carnival and fair booths would begin. Funds were raised through the many food and other handmade items sold at the booths during the event. The booths were decorated like fairy homes and the hall was also lavishly adorned in the same manner.
The first night’s entertainment was usually singing and dancing by local groups. The second was children’s night and Marquardt’s costumed children’s choir provided the entertainment. The third night also was celebrated with singing, dancing and local performers. The money raised by this event was used by the Society for maintenance and some remodeling of Mannerchor Hall.
Things wind down
During the silver panic or depression of 1893, the Maennerchor Society suffered like many other businesses and lost money on some performances. As business slowed, a combination of things began to affect the Society. Social functions became less grand; not many formal events were scheduled. Roller-skating was brought back with music by Nagel’s orchestra, and twice-weekly dances were advertised.
More private dancing clubs were being built and rival places like the North Star Hall, Woodman Hall, the Elks building and the U.W. gymnasium affected Mannerchor Hall. In addition, the Society, whose members once numbered over 100, was beginning to fade away as originators aged and the Society didn’t catch on with the younger generation.
Maennerchor Society members undertook a major renovation of the hall in 1901. The Society allocated $6,000 to enlarge the stage and quadruple the height to 49 feet for theatrical sets. New modern dressing rooms and toilet rooms were added and a new drop curtain. The opening play was called “Two Married Men” which attracted a full house. For a short time, it looked like this would be the main theatrical venue in Laramie because Root’s Opera House had become a movie theater, but the decline continued.
Mannerchor Hall sold
1912 marked the end of the Maennerchor era in Laramie. The hall was sold to Stendahl and Hunt, though the Society retained a building on the rear of the property as a clubhouse. Suppers and dances for Society members continued to be held there.
The hall itself was converted into two commercial spaces, one used by the new owners for their plumbing business; the other space was rented to various businesses. The Boomerang lamented the close of the era: “Maennerchor has known no age, sect or society, but it seems its day of usefulness has passed and its work is done.”
In 1918 the members remaining dissolved the corporation. Only two of the original members were left, Jacob Berner and Charles Troederop. The clubhouse building at the back with alley access was sold to Alfred Nelson for his cement laying and coal business.
Some of the members over the years, in addition to those mentioned above, were George Dickelmann, Otto Schwatke, Herman Hegewald, Robert Plaga, William Wurl, Richard Henke, Frank Eggleston, Joseph Lohein, John Koch and John Fisher. No doubt there were many others who helped put a little jollification into the lives of Laramie in their time.
By Nancy Mickelson
Source: Holliday collection, UW American Heritage Center
Caption: This photo is unidentified, but likely shows “Professor Marquardt’s Children’s Choir” in German costumes before a performance as part of the traditional Kirmess celebrations held in Laramie. The photo is undated, but obviously in front of Mannerchor Hall at 311 S. 3rd St. Now this location is part of Alsco’s Laramie linen service operations.
Source: Laramie Plains Museum
Caption: Maennerchor Society members, resplendent in their top hats and tuxedos, pose in front of what is probably Root’s Opera House in Laramie in this undated photo, c. 1895.