Singing Societies in the Nineteenth and early Twentieth Centuries were a large part of German-American life. Regular local Saengerfests (singing competitions) were organized around the city and national competitions were also held around the Northeast region of the United States. The Gambrinus Saengerkranz was one of many of these organizations in Philadelphia. It was organized on January 11, 1874 and named after the mythical King Gambrinus, the patron saint of beer. Quarters were secured at 32nd & Thompson Streets in the Brewerytown section of the city. The first president was Mr. Birkenstock who continued in that position until 1878 when he was succeeded by Albert Hoch. The society got off to a very difficult start and almost collapsed but hard work from a few energetic and dedicated members saved the organization and afterward it began to grow. Joseph Geiger (President of George Keller Brewing Co.) eventually succeeded Albert Hoch to become its third President. The society experienced rapid growth through the 1880s and by 1890 had outgrown its headquarters so there was a need for a larger place. In November of 1890 a lot was purchased on the southwest corner of Thirtieth & Master Streets next to George F. Rothacker Brewing Co. and the Philip Spaeter Cooperage. A building committee was set up and entrusted to take the necessary steps to have their new building built. The architect Thomas P. Lonsdale was contracted to provide the building plans and the building contract was awarded to Charles Auchter. From October 2 until October 24, 1891 a big fair was held by the society at the Northwestern Market Hall during which $3,000 was raised and contributed to the building fund. The cornerstone was finally laid with appropriate ceremonies on Easter Monday, April 18, 1892. The total cost of the building, not including the land, was $37,400. On Thirtieth Street the new hall had a front of 59 feet, on Master Street 147 feet and the garden measured 32 by 60 feet. It was one of the largest buildings owned by any of the singing societies in Philadelphia.
Besides the men’s choir, The Gambrinus founded a Turner (gymnastics) Department on April 2, 1890 and in October 1891 a Saturday and Sunday school was organized to give classes in German language and drawing. There was also the ladies’ society whose activities supported and contributed to the prosperity of the whole society. The Turners also had a brass band.
For many years the music director was A.C. Hartmann and under his direction The Gambrinus won a prize at the New York Saengerfest in 1894. In that year the membership included:
FIRST TENORS – Valentine Koch, William Bauroth, Charles Moser, John Muth, Charles Hebsecker, Charles Dieskert, Louis Leinhauser, C. Kenneck, F.J. Wittkomp, William Weir, Louis Berghoff.
SECOND TENORS – J. Schmidt, Jr., Charles Peterman, Albert Buryer, H. Eisasser, W. Reiderbeck, Joseph Leyner, E. Gerner, F. Ebert, J. Schirmer, P. Birkenmaier, L. Mair, Otto Fuch, H. Vogel, H. Marshall, H. Schumann.
FIRST BASSES – A.J. Bell, J. Zaengerlein, Henry Kurtz, Paul Gross, Charles Winter, Joseph Heun, W. Riess, Louis Fritz, X. Patent, J. Neidinger, O. Scholl, L. Brenneiser, H.A.C. Popenhusen, F. Huder, C.B. Kretschman.
SECOND BASSES – O. Hoesterey, M. Ost, G. Dangel, F. Schmidt, J. Mais, W. Maher, Moritz Stoize, Louis Horp, A. Debrunner, J. Konig, A. Spengler, H. Meinobressa.
Besides these choir members, Joseph Geiger was President, A. Bell was Vice President, William Scharff was second Vice President, Jacob Naschold was the secretary, the Financial Secretary was Harry Ackenhausen, and Jacob Henris was serving as Treasurer.
The Turner department also had some success by winning a prize at the Brooklyn Turnerfest, which was held July 18-21, 1891, and winning four prizes at the Trenton Turnerfest held July 30-August 2, 1892.
During the summer months the singers gave concerts in the society’s garden. Emil F. Ulrich took over as the musical director in 1896. Ulrich was born in 1873 in Swabia Germany and studied music at the Conservatory in Stuttgart. He emigrated to Philadelphia in 1892 and soon after started his own amateur orchestra which gained much respect.
In 1897, the President was Otto Hoesterei, the Vice President was Valentin Koch, Bernhard Nikel was the Secretary, Joseph Geiger the Treasurer, and the Trustees were Georg Arnholt (of Arnholt and Schaefer Brewing Co.), Felix Geiger (the brewmaster at Bergner & Engel Brewing Co., a director at the Northwestern Market Co., and father of Joseph), and William Wenkenbach.
Besides their own uses for their hall, The Gambrinus also rented it out for other events and purposes. One such event was held on February 15, 1896 when Gustavus A. Müller (President of Bergner & Engel Brewing Co.) hosted a meeting for Democratic Candidate A. Raymond Raff, who was running for Select Council, and others who were running for Common Council and School Director. Another event held was a basketball game between All-Philadelphia and All-Scholastic which occurred on November 11, 1897 with All-Philadelphia winning 16 to 0.
It’s unclear what happened to the Gambrinus but the property was sold to Acme Markets in 1922 and the building was demolished to make way for a warehouse, which still stands today, for their operations.
-bat29, 2016
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