Few are the gathering places in our county that could rival the Opera House of Suring for the exiting events that took place in the first half of the 1900s.
It was built by the Groninger brothers, sons of Michael Groninger and brothers to Ida Groninger Schmidt, of Boarding House fame. It was built in 1909 and replaced the much smaller Liberty Hall, which burned in 1908.
Only our imaginations can tell us what these walls heard. Yes, as an opera house, it might have heard a talented duo hit the notes above the treble clef.
But we are more certain of many more public events that these walls could speak of: the local talent night, when drama, comedy and song brought forth excited applause and the discordant harmony that hurt the ears of some folk, but was sweet music to others.
The early politicians, who came by train, with bands and much fanfare. They made passionate promises, only to have them evaporate as they left the village.
The minstrel shows, with the African-American spiritual, the stringed band and much hilarity. The local lad with black face, who spoke to the master of ceremonies as “Mr. Interlockator,” and the belly laughter that followed from their dialogue.
Ah, the basketball games, where the cheering sections were on the ends of the courts. Imagine, the Suring center steals the ball and fires a long pass to his guard, streaking to the basket. Wham, the ball hits a steel rod that ties the outside walls together and flies out of bounds.
The Suring High School team played in these narrow confines until 1950, and the Suring community team was the 1915-1916 Northeast Wisconsin champions.
But probably the most resonant sound these walls could speak to would be the Suring High School bands of Professor George Glass. For counties around Suring, great marching and concert bands were synonymous. No more mention of hick town.
These walls experienced more than the rhythm of the march, as the dancers put on their dancing shoes, on many a Saturday night. The ragtime, the Dixieland, the waltzes, the polka and all the foot stompings of yesteryear. Oh, and don’t forget the Groninger midnight buffet in the hotel dining room. All seven courses and then dance on into the morning.
Also these walls heard dozens of class plays that tugged at the heart strings. And, in like manner, the commencement celebrations, with their tearful goodbyes. As Mark Twain noted, “All for tears and flapdoodle.”
The first floor served as a harness shop, a machine shop, a roller rink and a variety of stores. There were two floors of activity that lasted until a high school gym and a theater were built.
The Suring Historical Society wants to restore this special place, so it is asking the greater area to support this mission by participating in the centennial activities planned.
What better way to restart a community than to reflect back on the past 100 years and dedicate ourselves to its future.
Categories
