115 S. Bench Street
(#18 Bench Street Tour)
Courtesy of the Galena-Jo Daviess County Historical Society; Ghosts of Galena book available at the Museum gift shop.
Turner Hall is a landmark for Galenians. It was constructed in 1874 by the Turner Society. Originating in Germany, the idea was to encourage “a sound mind and a sound body.” Gymnastics, theater, literature- -All were emphasized as the movement spread throughout German communities in America.
In Galena, the Turners succeeded in building a solid, stone structure designed for the “special use of the citizens of this city, without regard to politics, religion or nationality, as well as for entertainment of a respectable character.”
Over the years Turner Hall has served politicians, bands, theater groups and various community organizations. It seems only natural that stories of ghosts would become a part of its character.
Ann, a volunteer at Turner Hall, reports that many of those involved with the save Turner Hall Fund, and others working to renovate the hall, have experienced strange things, including herself.
On one memorable occasion, she and fellow worker Kate were standing backstage near the back rock wall. Suddenly both felt as if they had just stepped into a tunnel of icy air. “What’s that?” asked Kate. “I don’t know,“ responded Ann, “but let’s move!“
They immediately did. At that moment a small stone, which had come loose from way up in the loft, came crashing to the floor where they had just been standing! They were the only ones backstage. Was it coincidental? Or what is Turner Hall’s ghost trying to tell them something?
On another occasion, Ann and three others were standing inside the foyer area. They were getting ready to leave, being the last ones in the hall after a night of working on sets. Suddenly, all four became aware simultaneously that someone had just walked past one of the dressing room doors at the far end of the hall (both were closed at the time). Their collective response was: “Who is that?“ (Not “What’s that?“ but “Who?“) they all searched backstage, but found no one.
During other years there were many who reported cool drafts, lights being turned on and off and things turning up missing when no one was around. One person even brought in a medium from nearby Dubuque, Iowa, who thought she could see some type of spirit being in the balcony.
Most recently, Mike was in the hall when restoration work was going on. He had been up in the third floor attic area and came down the steps to leave, turning off the light switch as he passed. He turned, however, because something caught his eye. “Gee,“ he thought suddenly, “I just turned the light off on someone up there!“ He was convinced that he had seen someone right before the light had gone off. A quick search, however, revealed not a soul.
Who, or what, is behind the “Ghost of Turner Hall?“ Research into the past occupancy of the hall provided an answer for some. Charles Scheerer was the first manager of the building. he was part of the Scheerer, Armbruster & Coleman firm, dealers in all kinds of furniture, including coffins. Charles also helped with the undertaking duties when called upon. Their firm was located next to Turner Hall and it was natural for Charles to look after things, particularly since he was also the Turner Society’s treasurer.
Charles took care of the hall faithfully, even after his age restricted his activities. finally, on March 14, 1910, he was found lying dead in the hall, apparently from natural causes. Those who believe in such things, however, feel that Charles is still watching over Turner Hall, making his presence known from time to time, as the need arises.
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“TURNER HALL REVISITED”
The Historical Society presented a program on the “Ghosts of Galena” during the spring of 1994. One of the sites visited in the presentation was Turner Hall. After the program, a local minister who had attended the presentation came up to visit. It turned out that he had a story of his own to tell about Turner Hall.
Three years earlier, he and his daughter were in the hall helping to set up for a “Groundhog Dance,“ a fund raiser for Galena’s Art and Recreation Center. two workers had just left, leaving only the two of them. They were in the balcony putting a projector in place, the intent being to project the image of a groundhog onto a curtain behind the stage.
The work was about finished and they were ready to leave when both heard a male voice- -quite loud and distinct- -coming from the north side of the balcony. It was localized in one of the seats. They could not make out the words, but it sounded loud- -and more importantly- -very angry!
This went on for 15 - 20 seconds. When it quit, the ministers daughter asked, somewhat alarmed: “Did you hear that?“
“Yes! “replied the father. But neither could imagine what it might be.
They quickly finished what they were doing. The minister try to remain calm so that his daughter would not become more alarmed. He thought to himself that there must be some logical explanation- -maybe someone was hurt, for example. he walked over to that area- -timidly- -and looked around. Nothing. Then, as they were leaving the balcony, they heard it again! Same sound, same angry tone! They quickly left but in doing so checked outside for a source to the sound. There was no explanation. To this day he wonders if a less then nice spirit had manifested itself to him, perhaps because he is a man of the cloth . .
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Many Galenians have reported similar experiences. A man I know was locking the front doors of the hall after an event. It was late, 1 a.m. and he was the last to leave. As he shut the door and turned the key to lock it, he heard three loud knocks coming from the other side of the door. Needless to say, he didn’t stick around to see what or who it was!
Recently I was talking to a woman who works in a historical building on Main Street. She was telling me about a time when her husband and daughter were setting up for a play at Turner Hall. Her daughter went in the back room to turn the lights on. She tried and tried, but they just wouldn’t turn on. Her father called a neighboring man who did a lot of work at Turner Hall to see if he could help. After explaining the problem, the man said he would be right over to check it out. When he arrived, he calmly strolled into the back room and returned a couple minutes later. He told them to try the lights again. Well, to their amazement, the lights immediately flashed on! Confused, they asked him what he did. He replied, “I yelled out to Spenser to knock it off!“
(One of the male ghosts has been nicknamed “Spenser.“ Spenser is mischievous and likes to play tricks on people.)
Some people believe that one of the ghosts may be that of Charles Scheerer. Charles was a member of the Turner Society and was the first manager of the building. He was also a three-term mayor of Galena, and he occasionally helped with undertaking duties. Later in life, Scheerer was at Turner Hall attending a meeting when he suddenly collapsed on the stairs and passed away in the arms of his wife. His funeral was held in Turner Hall. Subsequently, apparitions have appeared on the balcony; some sightings are of a man and others of a woman.
A paranormal research team visited Turner Hall. They saw a shadowy figure, noticed extreme decreases in temperatures, and heard countless bizarre unexplained noises.
Turner Hall has undergone many changes in it’s almost 150 years. It has been ravaged by fire, stood vacant for many years, and left abandoned. However, thanks to a city’s love, it is once again the gracious host of many of Galena’s social gatherings.
(To learn the history of Turner Hall, please visit #18 on the Bench Street Tour.)
