The Denver Turnverein is a building that is particularly noticeable. For one reason, located at 1570 Clarkson Street, it backs to the parking lot of Denver's District 6 Police Station, so there are always a plethora of police cruisers parked behind the building.
In German, Turner means gymnast, and Verein is a name for as association of sorts. So, loosely translated Denver Turnverein means Denver's Gymnastic Association.
In the early 1800's, in Germany, German Turners gathered to practice their sport and discuss politics. After the German Revolution of 1848, thousands of Germans immigrated to the United States. Many came to Colorado because of the Gold Rush. The first Denver Turnverein was founded in 1864 at 21st and Arapahoe. However, due to negative German sentiments during World War I, memberships dwindled, and the Arapahoe location was foreclosed on.
In the early 1920's, the Denver Turnverein moved to its current location in the north Capitol Hill neighborhood of Uptown. Financial difficulties plagued the Denver Turnverein and The Coronado Club purchased the Denver Turnverein with the intent of expanding Clubs across the country. The Coronado Club failed in 1922 and the Denver Turnverein purchased the building once again.
This time the Denver Turnverein thrived all the way into the 1960's as which point the membership started quickly aging, and replacement members were had to find.
By the 1970's, the Denver Turnverein became inactive. For many years, Denver's Oktoberfest was held at the Denver Turnverein, when the club became inactive, the festival moved to Larimer Square.
By the 1980's, the Denver Turnverein was used more as a rental facility and less for Turner activities. Today, many dance clubs use the Denver Turnverein and by no means is this Denver institution fading away.
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