North Lawndale in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Vorwaerts Turner Hall

George L. Pfeiffer, architect; 1896-97

— Chicago Landmark —

Vorwaerts Turner Hall Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

1. Vorwaerts Turner Hall Marker

Inscription. This rare-surviving example of an ethnic athletic club was built by the Turnverein Vorwaerts (Forwards Turners), a German organization which promoted athletics and worked to advance the social and political status of Chicago's German working-class community. The limestone facade features the bust of Friedrich Jahn, the German founder of the Turner movement, as well as German-language inscriptions that convey the building's historic connection to the German-American community.

Designated on November 18, 2009
Richard M. Daley, Mayor

Erected 2009 by Commission on Chicago Landmarks; City of Chicago.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Fraternal or Sororal Organizations • Immigration. In addition, it is included in the Illinois, Chicago Landmarks Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1896.

Location. 41° 51.99′ N, 87° 41.244′ W. Marker is in Chicago, Illinois, in Cook County. It is in North Lawndale. It is on West Roosevelt Road west of South Western Avenue, on the right when traveling east. The marker is on the west-facing

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side of the building. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2431 West Roosevelt Road, Chicago IL 60608, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Great Lakes,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Claremont Cottages District (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Claremont Cottages District (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Claremont Cottages District (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Claremont Cottages District (approx. 0.2 miles away); Benny Goodman (approx. 0.6 miles away); Operation Iraqi Freedom (approx. 0.6 miles away); Route 66 Landmark / Punto de Referencia de la Ruta 66 (approx. ¾ mile away); Ice Cream Dream / Sueño de un Carrito de Paletas (approx. 0.8 miles away).

Vorwaerts Turner Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

2. Vorwaerts Turner Hall

Touch for a list and map of all markers in Chicago.

More about this marker. The building as of June 2024 is home to a coffee shop and event venue.

Regarding Vorwaerts Turner Hall. The phrase "Gut Heil" etched into the top of the building is German for "Good Health."

Also see . . . What's That Building? Coffee with a Side of German Gymnastics. A history of the Vorwaerts Turner building on Roosevelt Road from WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio.

Excerpt: "It's a remnant from when Chicago was the American capital of a 19th century fitness movement known as 'Turner clubs.' These gyms were dedicated to all kinds of physical education, with a special focus on gymnastics ('turner' is the German word for gymnast). And 'Gut Heil' was the slogan of the Turner movement, which began in Germany and combined the values of workers rights' with physical fitness. German immigrants brought the Turner style of physical education to the United States, and by 1890 Chicago had more Turner clubs than any other U.S. city, according to the building’s city landmark designation. Today, the building is one of only two former Turner club buildings
Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

3. Vorwaerts Turner Hall
The marker is not visible but is on the right side of the buliding.
remaining in the city — the other is located in Lincoln Park."

(Submitted on June 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.)

Photographed by Sean Flynn, June 21, 2024

4. Vorwaerts Turner Hall

"Gut Heil," German for "Good Health," is carved into the front of the building, which was built to be a German-American fitness club.

IUPUI University Library; American Turners Local Societies Collection

5. Vorwaerts Turner Hall

The description from the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis library includes a brief history of the building and this photo, which is believed to have been taken sometime before 1939: "The building was built in 1896 and is still standing today. It is the only structure that still exists on the south side of the 2400 block of Roosevelt Road (12th Street). The Forward Turners sold the building to the Mexican Patriotic Society in 1945 and [later was] an African American Church of some kind (2006). The pictures clearly show the stone images of 'Father Jahn', the Turner 'FFFF' logo, other Turner emblems with the 'Owl', etc., the 'Vorwaerts Turner Halle' engraving and other symbols."

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 54 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 22, 2024, by Sean P. Flynn of Oak Park, Illinois.