Evening Star Newspaper, October 11, 1931, Page 78

THE SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, OCTOBER 11, 1931, iR ST S ST [ | German Picnic Places Around Capita Meain building of the old Schuetzen Park, which once stood on the east side of Georgia avenue between Hobart and Kenyon streets. Photo taken about 1892. The gentles man ncar the ceater of the group, with the high, light-colored hat, is Henry Dismer, who lent the picture to the writer of this article. Others ere members of the Schuetzen Verein, their uives and families. g BY JOHN CLAGETT FROCTOR. FEAKING cof the oid-time German icnics reminds the writer that the German is nct by any means a new- comer to th2 District of Columbia, no-, as & matter of history, was he & late comer to America, being, as a matier of fact, cie of the first of the world's emigrants to take advantage of the opportunity to settle in the new country, and, indeed, to such an enormous extcnt was this carried on that Great Britain coon became alarmed over the csituation, but as all emigrants were brought to this country during the Colonial period in English ships, and since the revenue therefrom amounted to ccrfiderable, no de- cided steps were talken to curtail or limit the number permisted to come here. From our Colonial records, no one will ever know how many Germans came to America prior to 1730, fcr no serious attempt at keep- ing such records se.ms to have been made be- fore that date. However, an idea may be had from the fact that between the years 1730 and 1776, 30,000 entries are recorded alone at the port of Philadelphia. Naturally, those who came here prior to 1730 must have been nu- merous, and when we take into consideration that shortly prior to the American Revolution the approximaie population of the colonies was only sbout two million, and after peace had been declarcd cnly somothing like three-and-a- half millicn, we can conjecture, at least, as to the vast amount of German blood there must have been in the colonies prior to the Revolu- tion., and what an enormous number of our people there must be today whose ancestors were of this thrifty, sturdy stock. To the prescnt ccnfines of what is now the District of Columbia the Germans came at & very early date. The first church erected in Georgetown, in 1769, was a German Lutheran church, and wken L’Enfant and Ellicott were sent here early in 1791—one to plan the city, and the other to survey the territory selected— in accordance with the act of Congress of July 16, 1790, they found already laid out on the site selected—in addition to the thriving cities of Alexandria and Georgetown—the towns of @urrolisburg and Hamburg or Funkstown. The Jatter was laid out in 1768 by Jacob Funk, an early German emigrant to America and for whom Funkstcwn, Md.—about 2 miles south of Hagerstown—is named. AMBURG, as Jacob Funk named his new city, was carved out of a farm of about 120 or more acres, and included in all 287 lots and the necessary strects, the lots being about 100 feet front and a depth of 200. As to the location and area of the town, about the best description we have is the one handed down by that venerable Washingtonian, Christian Hines, who was born near Liberty, in Frederick County, Md, in 1781, and who died in this city on November 29, 1874, and who sleeps in Rock Creek Cemetery., In referring to Funks- town, or Hamburg, he says: “I have often endeavered to ascertain what was the extent or exact location of Funkstown (known by many rcsidents as Hamburg), but, so far, I have not been satisfactorily success- ful. As far as I have ascertained, however, 1 will venture to state. I think it must have extended in a westerly direction, including Camp or Observatory Hill, from about Nine- teenth sire:t west to Twenty-fourth street west, and in a northerly direction from the Potomac to abcut G street north. I judge so from the fact of Mr. Funk having reserved a lot on which to erect a German Church at the corner of G and Twentieth strcets. Since then a church has been erected there, of which Rev. M;. Finkel is the pastor. Funk’s house stood near the old glass hcouse—I think between Twenty-second and Twenty-third streets. The dbricks of which it was built, it was said, were imported from Holland. They were much smaller than the brick made in this country, and very hard. I have heard Observatory Hill spoken of as originally intended as a site for a university; but that was many years ago.” This part of Washington has been for many years solidly built up, and, during the days when the city had limited franchise, it formed a part of the first ward, where many of the Schuetzen Park, Where Presidents Visited and Took Part in Festivities—1ragic Death of Mrs. Alice Pendleton, Wife of the United States Envoy to Germany. most prominent citizens lived. Today certain portions of old Hamburg indicate that they have been sorely negiected, while others show the trend of prosperity and progress. For some time the Government has been serjously considering this section in relation to its build- ing program, and it is quite probable that be- fore many years much of this area will begcov- ered by public buildings. ROM the earliest history of the city, the. Germans have had their Summer gardens and places <f amusement where they could congregate on Sundays and holidays with their families as a day of recreation from hard work. Perhaps the earliest of these was Spring Gar- den, conducted by a Mr. Jacobs, a stonecutter, on the east side of Seventh street southwest, between B snd C streets, just across the street from which, in about 1802, there was a grove of trees where the young people enjoyed them- selves swinging, while their elders danced and sang their time away as the guests of Mr. Jacobs. About the same period that the Spring Gar- den flourished in Washington, Parrott’s Woods, to the north of Old Georgetown, and which in- cluded a part of the present Oak Hill Ceme- tery, was also used for picnic purposes by the residents of that town which included among its inhabitants many families of German ex- traction. Within the recollection of many there was Juenemann's brewery and garden, conducted by George Juenemann, and later by his widow, Barbara, at Fifth and E streets northeast; Ab- ner's, which occupied the site of the home of _Mayor Sezton on the south side of E street between Seventh and Eighth streets northwest, where Gen. Lafayette was entertained during the Autumn of 1824, and where the proprietor advertised: “Concerts every Evening during the Summer Months, by Select Orchestra and Vocal Artists.” Then there was Beyer's Park, now the base ball grounds on Georgia avenue above Florida avenue, and many others, but, of course, the best known of all was the Schuetzen Park, which stocd on the east side of (Georgia avenue, and ran north from Hobart to Kenyon streets and east to the reservoir. For a long while the writer tried to get a pic- ture of this place, of some of the stands or buildings, or of something pertaining to the celebrated festivals which were begun here in 1866 and continued for many years, but every- where he met with disappointment. How sur- prised you can imagine he was, then, when a few days ago Henry Dismer of the Association of Oldest Inhabitants, and an enthusiastic Elk, turned over to him two good views of the old place as it once existed!—for the area it occu- pied is now entirely ccvered with residences and stores, and on one corner is sold gasoline, where beer formerly was dispensed. NE year after the Washington Schuetzen Verein was started here, we find it adver- tising its meetings in The Star, th- announce- ment of its festivities published on August 2, 1867, being rarticularly interesting, since, in addition to giving an idea of its activities, it gives the names of some of the old firms then in business here and who assisted toward mak- ing that particular event a success. The notice reads: Second Annual Schuetzen Fest of the Washington Schuetzen Verein, at the Schuetzen Park North Seventh Street, on the Sth, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th of August. Prize Shooting, Prize Bowling, Concert, D:ncing Ladies’ Prize Shooting ¢ Pcpular Amusements for the Youths Illuminations, Fireworks, etc., ete. Every Day and Evening During the Festival The celebrated acrobat, Mr. Harrie Leslie, Who -so often crossed the Niagara, will perform every afternoon and evening. Concert Music. The United States Marine and 12th United States Infantry Regiment Bands will give concerts every day during the festival. Mr. Weber's Cand has been engaged for the two pavillions. Dancing to commence at three o'clock every afternoon, Prize for the King A Gold Chain and a Silver Goblet List of the Principcl Prizes: A complete Set of Parlor Furniture. A Gold Watch and Chain. A fine Porcelain Dinner Set, 80 pieces. A rmragnificent Sewing Machine. An elegant set of table knives. A silver ice pitcher, waiter and two goblets, presented by Mr. H. Semken. Elegant marble stand clock. Magnificent sole-leather trunk, presented by Messrs. Kneessi & Norfleet. Two costly cashmere long shawls, presented by Messrs. Lansburgh & Bro. A silver coffee service. Meerschaum cigar holder, presented by Mr, C. Fischer. A large silver soup spson. A beautiful marble-top table, presented by Mr. William B. Moces. A gent's silk rain umbrella, presented by Lansburgh & Bro. Imported German clock. Heavy silver bottle stand with six glasses, A melcdeon, latest style. A silver pitcher, presented by Messrs. Webb & Beveridge. A solid silver goblet, presented by Mr. Isaaé Alexander. A sofa cushion, presented by Mr. 1. Voight. Silver fruit basket, presented by Mr, A. Schmedtie. An elegant sword, presented by Mr. J, P, Schmidt. Meerschaum pipe, presented by Mrs. E. L. Weigman. Two beautiful beaded flower baskets, pre- sented by Mr. Adam Young. A silver castor, presented by Mr. Karr, A sirup pitcher, presented by Mrs. Keese, A fine rifle, presented by Mrs. Molick. Two silver goblets, presented by Mr., Thomas Everctt. A box of Fostor Kiesling, presented by Fred Hugle. A box of Mumm champagne, presented by Mr. Louis Esherg. Two oil paint{ngs, presented by Mr. Mark- riter. A fine lithegraph, presented by Mr. Charles Walter. A lady’s dress hat and fan, presented by Mra, L. Blout. A beautiful lamp, Kessel. For the B wiing and Ladies’ Shooting 8ix Valusble Prizes Wiil Be Awarded Daily. Admission: 25 Cents for Eich Person; Children Under 10 Years Free. presented by Mr. John EARLY 20 years latz- we find the Schuetzen Park stiil engsging in its German festive fties, and adveriising as usual in The Star— for late in May, 1886, we find the Schuetzen Verein making prepzrations for a great time as usual, as the following notice indicates: “Washington Schuctzen Verein, BSecre- tary’s Office.—The follcwing bars and stands ' will b2 scld to the highest bidder on Thurz- ' day, May the 27th, at 5 p.m., at the Park of the Association on 7th st. road, prepara- tory to the Grand Schue’zen Fest. June 14, ° and lasting five days: Three Beer Bars, 1 Confectionery Siand, 2 Shooting Stands and 1 Carriage Yard. Terms will be made known on the days of the sale: one-third cash to be paid at the cenclusion of pur- chase. “By order of the Executive Committee, REINHOLD SPRINGSGUTH, Secretary.” Indeed, those wh> never attended a real Schuetzen festival, such as we used to have n Washington, missed a great treat, for it was there that the German was seen to the best advantage. Werk and cire were thrown aside for the time being, and everybody joined in the pleasures of the occasion, just as he would have done had he been then in the country of his birth, several thousand miles away. Ree garding those interesting events, and what they really meant t> these pecple, an old account says: VI THE annual German festival of the Schuete sen fest, or tre chooter's festival, is a great event in German social life and it is ase soclated ir the minds of the old and young with some of the p’cisantest recollections of Hfe In the Fathorlard. especially when in after years the German finds himself separated by s long distance frecm the s-enes of his childe hood and early youth. He remembers the gathering of the old and young from all parts of the country, the social interchange, the friendly contests of strength and skill, and the relief from daily caves, which was secured by this holiday, in the fields. It was not & holie day for the mcn or the women or the chile dren, but all join=d tozether in contributing to the general enjoyment. It is not surprise ing that the Germans whoy have left their nae tive country to make their home in a foreign land should endeavz: to revive a custom which #s associated with s5 much that is bright and happy in their former life. The Germans of this city bave for the past 22 years held an annual celebration which was intended to be similar to the o'd ccuntry festivals, and, as far as this could bz cone amidst the Americany surrcundings and with no pleasantry in thefr picturesque costumec:, the reproductions have been exact and fai‘hful. Whatever degree of attractiveness may be lacking in these respects is amply made up by the facilities which are afforded by an ample park within easy dise tance of the city. Scm2> years ago a stock company, chartered by C - ngress and eomposed of the leading Ger citiz>ns as well as many citizens of American birth. purchased 12 scred of ground on tre Seventh street road, which became the scen2 cf thece annual festivals. “The Schuetzen Pa as it is now called, has been laid out in 12 with serpentine walksg winding amid th> trces and grass. Refreshe ment booths, music stand and a dancing pavile jon have been erccted at convenient pointg about the grounds, while near the main entrance is a large and h= ome brick structure, which is used by the 2 ion as a banquet hall and a place of reception. Thera are also bowle ing alleys and shccting galleries, and all the facilities for innocent sport, even to s greased pole, which the best conducted fest in the old country could ever boast. As may be readily understood, these annusl festivals have in the past been largely attend, and the members of the association re-all with pride the fact that Gen. Grant, when he wes in the city, attended