The ATC is a family club that affirms the principles of The American Turners & promotes the physical, mental, and moral advancement of all members. In 1976.
History of the Akron Turner Club
The Akron Turner Club was founded in 1885 by a group of German citizens who met at the home of Mr. Louis Seybold, publisher of the "Akron Germania", on Grant Street to discuss the possibilities of organizing a "Turnverein". For several months meetings were held in the homes of various members, and halls were rented but were found to be unsuitable for gymnasium wor
k. A committee was elected in 1887 to look for a suitable vacant lot to build a gymnasium. A lot was located on Grant Street and was purchased for $675.00. The building was dedicated on October 31, 1888. (see picture below) The Turnverein was the first German society to own its own building. Exhibitions of gymnastics were held throughout the years, instructors taught young boys and active members Father Jahn's system of making them physically fit and healthy. (Jahn started his gymnastics societies to strengthen young men in the event an army would be needed to help thwart Napoleon. Father Jahn invented most of the gymnastics apparatus in use today.) Hundreds to thousands of members attended competitions held annually, including a National Turnfest class at the 1893 World's Fair in Chicago. In 1900, improvements were made to the meeting hall and gymnasium, including wooden lockers, showers, sewer connections, gas lines and electric lights. In 1908 the Turnverein was ready to present its gymnasium classes to the public at large and held a demonstration of physical training, inviting members from the Cleveland Turners to participate. More than 2,000 people crowded the auditorium, including The Public School Authorities, Superindendent Dr. Hotchkiss, Board of Education and many public school teachers. (At that time, only Central High School had physical training, grade schools had no gymnasium buildings.) Demonstrations were held annually, resulting in great social and financial gains. The Turnervein became one of the leading organizations in the city. Plans were discussed to to add more building space. Physical education was added to the Public Schools curriculum and the Akron Turnverein can well lay claim that it was the sole agency to help accomplish this fact! The Ladies Auxillary was founded in 1904. A new gymnasium and club room were built on Cross St. and dedicated on May 29 and June 1st, 1913. During the World War (1917) most of the active members of the Turnverein were enlisted or drafted into various branches of the Army or Navy. The instructor at the time, Mr. Bachman, inaugurated military training and all able bodied members responded. Prohibition was in effect during the next few years and most social activities suffered. In order to overcome this obstacle, strict rules were made to permit only members to the club's entertainments. All debts on the new hall and property were wiped out in 1927 and a great celebration was planned. The mortgage note was burned and in 1928 the hall was remodeled. The stage was removed (in use since the Turnhalle was built) and a bar put in its place. Over the next years, the Akron Turnverein held gym classes, organized basketball, volleyball and fencing, continued with its core gymnastics and began serving daily lunches. During the Word War II years, club activites, like those throughout the nation, were severely curtailed. In 1945 a celebration was held to honor our Veterans. A motion was passed in 1950 to admit ladies to club membership. The Akron Turnverein became known as the Akron Turner Club consistent with an identity change at the national organization level. we officially moved into our "new" location in Springfield Township. May 20, 1979 ground was broken for the expansion of our existing clubhouse in order to provide space for a bar, several tables, restrooms and an office. The clubhouse expansion was completed and followed quickly by work on the construction of our gymnasium (all but $30,000 of the total $120,000 to complete both projects were borne by the Federal Office of Housing and Urban Development and the Federal Government.)
09/03/2024
3 for $5 till they are gone, starting at 5pm today!
09/03/2024
08/29/2024
Stop by the club for a beverage and take our new life-sized Connect Four game for a spin!
08/25/2024
Happening at the Toledo Turner Club!
08/16/2024
Kitchen closed today
08/09/2024
The ball field is good to go for tonightβs activities!
07/28/2024
***UPDATE*** THE WINNER IS BRYAN ESLER! CONGRATULATIONS!!
ποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈποΈToday, Sunday, 7/28, the ticket was drawn for the grill and Dumas gift card! There was no name or phone number on the ticket. The winning number is 0541407. The winner will have until Saturday, August 10th to claim. If no one has come forward by then, the next ticket will be drawn on Sunday, August 11th.
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07/21/2024
We will also have $4 walking tacos available!
07/13/2024
Reminder:
Bus leaves at 10 am tomorrow for Turner Crawl
07/12/2024
You can sign up with any bartender!
07/03/2024
The club will be closed Thursday July 4th!
06/24/2024
Kitchen will be closed on Mondayβs until September
06/21/2024
Tickets will be available to buy Sunday June 23rd!
06/21/2024
Tomorrow!
06/14/2024
Come out Saturday and watch these boys play their last game before they head off to play high school ball next year!
05/31/2024
Concession stand will be open as well
05/23/2024
Deadline for National Golf is coming up quickly
Only a few days left to register for the National Golf Tournament! All levels welcome, so don't miss this fun time at Fort Wayne Turners Deadline JUNE 1!! β³οΈποΈββοΈποΈββοΈπ
05/22/2024
Kids fishing was once again a huge success!
05/16/2024
For anyone going on the casino trip:
1. Be at the club by 8.45 Saturday May 18th. 2. Please park across the street as there is a fundraiser same day.
3. Remember to bring your drivers license.