Neenah’s Schuetzen Hall

   The Schuetzen Bund of Neenah was a fraternal and benevolent group which in 1875 built a large hall on the corner of what was then Cedar and Columbian Streets near the center of town.  The hall served the needs of the group as well as being the center for many cultural events such as lectures, concerts, plays and parties.  It was said to be one of the finest halls in the state and it was a remarkable brick structure which sat on a high limestone foundation and capped a gabled roof with a belfry at one end.
 

In 1892 the building burned and all that was salvaged was the foundation.  The group was keen to rebuild and in the “Lively in Neenah” column of the Oshkosh Northwestern of May 26,1892 it was noted that William Waters was in that city drawing plans for the new Schuetzen Hall.  It was stated that the hall was to be built on the foundation of the old hall and use the same plan as those of the north side Turner hall in Oshkosh.  The new hall was to cost about $10,000 with the member of the bund being assessed $100 each to cover the expense. 

The plan never came to fruition and for many years the old foundation remained, being used as skating rink in the winter but finally converted to a livery.  One may only imagine what Commercial Street looked like had the new hall been built.