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Native Sons of the Golden West

O.C. History Roundup: Native Sons of the Golden West

I’m going to try to become a NSGW that met at the Turn Verein Hall that Carl Janke founded.

John Presco

john-presco@rosamondpress.com

Native Sons of the Golden West

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(Redirected from Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West)

Logo of the Native Sons of the Golden West
AbbreviationN.S.G.W.
FormationJuly 11, 1875; 147 years ago
FounderA. M. Winn
Founded atSan Francisco
Typefraternal service organization
Purpose“To perpetuate in the minds of all native Californians the memories of the days of ’49 to encourage a lively interest in all matters and measures relating to the promotion of the national interests and to the upbuilding of the State of California”
ServicesHistoric preservation, Native American advocacy, anti-Asian immigration advocacy (historic)
AffiliationsNative Daughters of the Golden West

The Native Sons of the Golden West is a fraternal service organization founded in the U.S. state of California in 1875, dedicated to historic preservation and documentation of the state’s historic structures and places, the placement of historic plaques, and other charitable functions in California. In 1890 they placed California’s first marker honoring the discovery of gold, which gave rise to the state nickname “The Golden State”. U.S. President Richard M. Nixon and Chief Justice Earl Warren were NSGW presidents.

History[edit]

The Native Sons of the Golden West was founded 11 July 1875 by General A. M. Winn, a Virginian, as a lasting monument to the men and women of the Gold Rush era. General Winn had lived in California during the Gold Rush and was impressed with the spirit and perseverance of the Forty-Niners. Speaking of his object in organizing the Order General Winn said, “For twenty years my mind had been running on some lasting style of monument to mark and perpetuate the discovery of gold I could not think of anything that would not perish in course of time. At last it came to my mind that an Order composed of native sons would effect the object and be sustained by pride of parentage and place of nativity while it would be an imperishable memento an institution that would last through all time.”[1]

The Native Sons of the Golden West building in San Francisco.

The chief objects of the Order as set forth in its constitution were, “To perpetuate in the minds of all native Californians the memories of the days of ’49 to encourage a lively interest in all matters and measures relating to the promotion of the national interests and to the upbuilding [sic] of the State of California.” Today, the Native Sons of the Golden West is open to membership from any native-born, current or former resident of California origin. The Native Sons of the Golden West is a charitable and fraternal organization. Organized locally into “Parlors,” the group is perhaps best known for the large number of commemorative markers it has placed throughout the state.

They have a sister organization, the Native Daughters of the Golden West.

The Native Sons began as an organization “embracing only the sons of those sturdy pioneers who arrived on this coast prior to the admission of California as a state.”[2] In the 1920s, the Native Sons took two very different stances; one on immigration and one on rights for Native Americans. In April 1920,[3] then-Grand President William P. Canbu of the Native Sons wrote that “California was given by God to a white people, and with God’s strength we want to keep it as He gave it to us.”[4] The Native Sons openly opposed Chinese, Mexican, and Japanese immigration and waged an unsuccessful legal battle for Japanese-Americans to be disenfranchised during World War II.[5][6][7][8][9] However, by contrast, the Native Sons actively fought for California Native American rights. “The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco was looking into the matter of Indian rights under the 18 treaties as early as 1909. This resulted in a special section on Indian Affairs for the purpose of making a complete study of the rights, wrongs, and present condition of California Indians in 1924. The Native Sons was one of the groups that was active in this area. Study committees were formed and publicity as to the needs of the California Indians appeared in its magazine, the California Grizzly Bear. In 1922 and again in 1925, there were articles of real importance in arousing public opinion.[10] In Nevada City, Native Sons Hydraulic Parlor No. 58 “aided the American Indians and succeeded in having the land set aside for native inhabitants. In April 1913, Indian agent C. H. Ashbury came from Reno to determine if the Indian land claims was valid and to conduct the proceedings, calling neighbors, city trustees, and member of the Native Sons and Daughters to testify…”[11]

Today, the Native Sons continue to restrict admission to California-born persons.[12]

Historical preservation[edit]

Throughout its history, members of the Native Sons have safeguarded many of the landmarks of California’s pioneer days, purchasing and rehabilitating them and then donating them to the State or local governments.

  • Sutter’s Fort, Sacramento: By 1888 the once proud fort built by John Sutter was abandoned and deteriorating and the City of Sacramento sought to demolish it. C. E. Grunsky of Native Sons of the Golden West Sunset Parlor #26 in Sacramento led the fight to purchase and restore this most important symbol of California’s pioneer history. After two years of fundraising, the Native Sons bought the historic Central Building and turned the land and building over to the State of California for further restoration.
  • San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, San Francisco: The Grace Quan is a reproduction of a 19th-century Chinese shrimp fishing junk.[13] The replica was built in 2003 by the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park and all of the wood for construction was donated by Native Sons, Redwood Parlor #66.
  • Rancho Petaluma Adobe, Petaluma: In 1910, Native Sons of the Golden West, Petaluma Parlor #27 purchased what remained of General Mariano G. Vallejo’s vast adobe ranch house. Over half of the building had succumbed to neglect and the forces of nature. In 1932 it was registered as California State Historical Landmark #18.[14] After years of work and fundraising, the fully restored historic site was turned over to the State of California in 1951.
  • San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, Escondido: San Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park honors the soldiers who fought in the 1846 Battle of San Pasqual, the bloodiest battle in California during the Mexican–American War. The Native Sons of the Golden West were instrumental in raising money, preserving and ultimately creating the park which was then given to the State of California.[15]
  • James W. Marshall Monument Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, Coloma: In 1886, the members of the Native Sons of the Golden West, Placerville Parlor #9 felt that the “Discoverer of Gold” deserved a monument to mark his final resting place. In May 1890, five years after Marshall’s death, Placerville Parlor #9 of the Native Sons of the Golden West successfully advocated[16] the idea of a monument to the State Legislature, which appropriated a total of $9,000[17] for the construction of the monument and tomb, the first such monument erected in California. A statue of Marshall stands on top of the monument, pointing to the spot where he made his discovery in 1848. The monument was rededicated October 8, 2010 by the Native Sons of the Golden West, Georgetown Parlor #91 in honor of the 200th anniversary of James W. Marshall’s birth.[18]
  • Pioneer Monument Donner Memorial State Park, Truckee: The Pioneer Monument was erected in honor of all who made the difficult trek across the western plains and mountains to reach California during the 1840s. Constructed near the site of the cabins that gave shelter to the Donner Party, work on the monument began in 1901. On June 6, 1918 in a ceremony that included Donner Party survivors, the Native Sons of the Golden West donated the completed monument and eleven (11) surrounding acres to the State of California.
  • Old Customhouse (Monterey, California): The Monterey Customs House, over which the American flag was first permanently raised in California, was a landmark that Native Sons determined should not disappear if within the power of the Order to prevent it. The property belonged to the United States Government, but the Native Sons obtained a lease of the buildings and grounds and restored them in the early 1900s.[19] The lease was ultimately transferred to a State Commission appointed under a legislative act passed in 1901 which act also carried an appropriation for further restoration of the building.
  • Colton Hall, Monterey: Native Sons were instrumental in 1903 in securing a legislative appropriation for necessary repairs on Colton Hall.[20] It was within this building in September 1849 that the convention convened which drafted the Constitution under California was admitted into the Union.
  • Mission San Antonio de Padua, Alta: Mission San Antonio de Padua was founded on July 14, 1771, the third mission founded in Alta California by Father Presidente Junípero Serra, and site of the first Christian marriage and first use of fired-tile roofing in Upper California. The first attempt at rebuilding the Mission came in 1903, when the California Historical Landmarks League began holding outings at San Antonio. “Preservation and restoration of Mission San Antonio began. The Native Sons of the Golden West supplied $1,400. Tons of debris were removed from the interior of the chapel. Breaches in the side wall were filled in.”[21]
  • Bear Flag Monument, Sonoma: “For many years, the site in Sonoma Plaza where the bear flag originally had been raised went unmarked. Largely through the efforts of the Native Sons, the legislature appropriated $5,000 for a monument to be placed there. The Native Sons raised $500 to prepare the site, put on dedication ceremonies, and to move the huge rock that serves as the pedestal from a mile away.”[22] The piece is listed as a California Historical Landmark.[23]
  • Bale Grist Mill founded by Edward Turner Bale in 1846 was preserved and restored through efforts of Native Sons.[24]

Historical markers[edit]

An NSGW marker at the site of the first California Central Creamery in Ferndale, California.

Chapters of the organization (called “Parlors”) place historical markers on buildings and on sites of historical interest. The organization maintains a list of the over 1,200 markers in place.[25] One of these plaques is featured in the movie ‘The Karate Kid on the side of Daniel LaRusso’s new school in California.

Publications[edit]

From 1905 through 1954 the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West published The Grizzly Bear.[26]

Notable members[edit]

Buildings[edit]

https://noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf178.asp

https://noehill.com/sf/landmarks/sf178.asp

San Francisco Landmark #178
San Francisco Women’s Building
AKA Mission Turnverein
AKA Dovre Hall
3543 18th Street Between Valencia and Guerrero
Built 1910

This building, in the Mission Revival style, was designed by Bay Area architect Reinhold Denke for the German-Americans Turnverein Society to provide gymnastic and meeting facilities.

For the next 25 years, Mission Turn Hall as it was known, served all populations in the heterogeneous Mission District. The building provided after-school classes for youngsters, a monthly exhibition followed by a social and dance, weddings, receptions, and parties. The Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West were tenants in the building for fifty years.

In 1935, the Sons of Norway and the Daughters of Norway purchased the building and renamed it Dovre Hall, after a mountain range in Norway.

In 1978, the building was purchased by the San Francisco Women’s Centers Inc. and renamed the Women’s Building.

https://cdnc.ucr.edu/?a=d&d=SFC19060814.2.128&e=——-en–20–1–txt-txIN——–

TURN VEREIN HALL IS DEDICATED.

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TURN VEREIN HALL IS DEDICATED.

Music, Taljk; and Dancing Mark Completion of Temporary Home

BIG ATTENDANCE

With music end speeches the ttmpo; rary San Franclseo Turn Verein If all, 853 Turk street, was formally dedicated Sunday night, and In the presence of a large aasembly of members the keys of the new building were presented by the president ofthe building committee to the’ first president- of the association. After the exercises had been, brought to a. close the -remainder of the evening was spent in j dancing. Cigars and refreshments were served and everything possible . wa.s done to make, the occasion one of enjoyment for all present. – No sooner had the earthquake and fire destroyed the – old hall than the members of the San Francisco Turn Verein j began to plan the erection of another building.; On. the Friday following, the earthquake a meeting was held.for that purpose and committees were appointed. to look after the work. The new building would have been completed some time ago but for the scarcity of lumber. • , “, ■”, ‘

The present building will serve all the purposes of the organisation until the new,’ expensive structure, work on which will be commenced almost immediately, is completed. .Then the’present hall will be used simply as a gymnasium. „ ..:;. :: /.; ;

The building committee having in charge the construction of the new hall consists of John Slmmen, ‘• president; William Plagemano and Hans V*ronl. The board of trustees consists of Fran* Acker, president; Paul Leonhardt. Hans VeronJ, psear Hooka and Charles Wolters.:’. V:” .’: ‘ ‘; ‘ : ‘ . .’ . . . ■ ‘7- :

The San Francisco Turn. Veraln. was organized in 1.853 and is the oldest association of its kind on .\the. Pacific Coast. Th» , main building, which Is soon : tQ b$ erected, will be 70×70 feet and will be three stories in height It will cost about?2o,ooo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Women%27s_Building_(San_Francisco)

The structure was built in 1910 by architect August Reinhold Denke, for the German Turnverein exercise movement. It retained the name Mission Turn Hall until 1935, but was also used by other organizations of various ethnicities including the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West.[5][8] It also known as the Mission Turn-Verein Hall.

In 1935, it was acquired by the Sons and Daughters of Norway, and subsequently was known as Dovre Hall, before taking its current name in 1978.[8]

TURN VEREIN

STV Beginnings in Germany

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The Turner movement began just after Napoleon’s humiliating defeat of the Prussian army in 1806. Friedrich Ludwig Jahn, its founder born in 1778, started preaching that an independent Germany could result only through the unification of German lands, democratic reforms, and young Germans trained in vigorous physical exercise, patriotic ideals, and love of liberty.

The movement grew in 1811 after Jahn set up in Berlin a Turnplatz (athletic field) called the Hasenheide, where he embarked on the training of young men, both physically and mentally, for the liberation and unification of Germany under a reformed government. Answering the call, 500 young men took part in gymnastic exercises under his direction. Within a few months, Turner societies spread throughout German lands, and Jahn’s form of gymnastics launched a course of physical training that was to spread throughout 19th century Europe.

After the defeat of Napoleon, the Turner movement was associated with the Burschenshaften, student fraternities active in pushing for democratic reforms. Unfortunately for the Turner movement, however, a student fraternity member and Turner, Carl Sand, assassinated the reactionary writer August von Kotzebue in 1819, giving the German government the pretext for outlawing Turners. Thus, Jahn (who came to be called “Turnvater Jahn”) spent the next 20 years under police surveillance, although Turner activities, becoming even more popular, continued underground until 1842, when the restrictions were lifted.

The movement grew rapidly, with Turner competitions becoming a means of organizing for democratic reforms. Jahn’s nationalistic spirit contributed to his role as a promoter of “patriotic gymnastics,” recognized as a strong force in Prussia’s liberation. The gymnastic exercises that he introduced were intended to infuse his students with a patriotic love of freedom that would make them capable of bearing arms for their country in the name of war of liberation.

When the 1848 revolution broke out, the Turners divided into two camps: One was the conservative camp, favoring a constitutional monarchy as well as athletic and social programs, formed by the Deutscher Turnerbund. In the same year, the more radical Turners formed the Demokratischer Turnerbund, under Friedrich Hecker and Gustave Struve. These Turners fought alongside the democratic forces in Baden. Many members of the Demokratischer Turnerbund, after failure of the 1848 revolution, went into exile, largely by emigrating to the United States.

The movement in Germany came under the influence of conservatives, and the Deutscher Turnerbund became the leading athletic organization in the country. The German Turnerschaft, an umbrella organization for almost all Turnverein in Germany and Austria, was founded in Coburg, in 1860. In 1895, the Turnerschaft had a presence among 5312 clubs, with 529,925 members. The official publication was the Deutsche Turnzeitung, founded in Leipzig, in 1856.

Turn Verein Beginnings in the U.S.

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After the failure of the 1848 uprising, the Germans who emigrated to the United States, called the “Forty-Eighters,” carried with them the Turnverein culture. It is not entirely clear as to where the first Turnverein was established in the United States. The Cincinnati Turnverein, organized in 1848, may have been the first.

By 1855, 74 societies had been formed, with about 4,500 members. By 1860, there were perhaps 10,000 American Turners. Between 1847 and 1857, about one million Germans emigrated to the United States. The leadership during this period consisted of many former journalists, teachers, and other professionals educated in Germany. In the 1850’s, the Turners opposed the pro-slavery elements in America and showed themselves committed to equality and liberty. They came into conflict with anti-German gangs and even became the center of anti-German riots in Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Columbus, Covington, and Hoboken.

They followed the teachings of “Vater Jahn,” not simply for the joy of physical activity, but rather as a means of defending the principles of liberty and equality—and thus they were found serving at times as security personnel for their political allies. It was the American Civil War, however, that brought Turners into a position of prominence. Throughout the Unites States, Turners were among the first to volunteer for military service. More than two-thirds of American Turners served in the Union Army, with many earning distinguished service records. The Forty-Eighters, who had received military training in Germany and become active in the American Turner movement, led troops that had a reputation for discipline and courage. Turner companies from Chicago and Washington served as bodyguards for President Lincoln at his first Inauguration.

The Turners’ devotion to gymnastics as a road to an active and productive life became even stronger after the Civil War. Besides offering gymnastic opportunities for young men, the programs were expanded to young boys and girls, older men (known as Bären, or Bears), and adult women. By the start of the 20th century, the athletic competitions, called Turnfests, were turning into grand social events, with receptions, musical and theatrical performances, and parades.

In the mid-1880s, the Turners’ facilities and membership numbers soared. In 1880 the national membership was about 13,000 and spread over 186 societies. Over the next decade, the Turnerbund more than tripled in size, reaching its high point of 42,000 in 1893. Most of the growth came in the late 1880s and early 1890s, when more than 300 Turnverein in America were associated with the American Turnerbund.

Despite the Turners’ strong support for the American military effort during World War I, they were put under extreme pressure by anti-German propaganda, with many Turner societies coming under surveillance by local, state, and federal authorities. Despite the war hysteria, however, the American Turners came through the war intact. Membership dropped only slightly from pre-war levels (39,000 in 1917 to 34,000 in 1920).

As the Turnveren membership gradually assimilated, the use of the English language increased. The newspaper, Amerikanische Turnzeitung, published convention proceedings in German well into the 1930s, but after 1921 also produced an English version. Some societies began publishing in English even before World War I.

It is easy to conclude that the most difficult times for the American Turners were World War I and its aftermath. Rather, it was during the depression period between 1929 and 1944 that Turners lost more than one-third of their membership and societies. Then with the Nazi rise to power in Germany, anti-German tensions returned. In 1938, the American Turnerbund changed its name to the “American Turners.”

During the 1940s and 1950s the membership improved, rising to 25,000 in 1950. The society placed a number of Turner-trained gymnasts on the 1956 U.S. Olympic team. But by the 1960s, a decline was clear, and by the early 1990s, the total membership in the United States was down to about 13,000 in 60 societies.

Sacramento Turn Verein 1854-2004

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1854

May 28: Signatures are gathered to start a Turnverein in Sacramento
June 2: The signators meet at the home of H. Ehmann, on J Street between 5th and 6th streets.
June 9: A constitution is ratified, effective June 20.
June 20: Temporary officers are elected.
July 5: Membership is recorded at 36.
July 13: Fire, starting in a furniture shop between 3rd and 4th streets and J and K streets, spreads east on J Street and North to I Street, destroying 12 city blocks, including Turner Hall with all its gymnastic apparatus.
November 15: A singing society, the beginnings of the Turner Harmonie, is formed, with C. Wolleb as director.
December 9: After meeting at various locations following the fire, the members begin meeting at the “Zinc House” in the alley between 7th and 8th streets and J and K streets.
December 10: The Turn Verein constitution is revised.
December 20: Members vote to join the Socialistischer Turnerbund Nordamerikas.

1855

June 18-19: The Turners celebrate their first anniversary, with 40 Turners arriving from San Francisco on the steamer “Senator” to join them. The delegation parades by torchlight through the Sacramento streets, accompanied by a city band, the Swiss Rifle Club, the Sacramento Turners, and the Harmonie. It is greeted at Columbus Hall on the American River by a salute of cannons. The women of the Turn Verein present a flag as “…a sign of friendship the women have for your Turn Verein. We feel that although young, this organization has a great future. In the name of the German women, we wish you “Gut Heil!”

1856

February: A gunsmith member, Carl Böttger, designs a seal (for $10), consisting of a sword, a torch, and a crossed handshake, symbolizing bravery, liberty, and friendship.
April: The organization is officially incorporated as the “Sacramento Turn Verein.”
July: A marksman section is organized, but does not last very long. A Founder’s Day event is planned and to be held at a building on the corner of 6th and L streets.

1858

September 20: The Turners hold a torchlight parade in honor of the opening of the undersea telegraph line between Europe and America.
October 2: The Turners move to a new Turnhalle, their last move into rented quarters.

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