A unique institution in this part of the country was the KDUV Hall at Kanaranzi. KDUV are the initials of  Kanaranzi German Unbeholfen  Association. The German word, unbeholfen translates awkwardly but its usage with the word Verein indicates mutual helpfulness. The association was organized in 1902 by German farmers in the neighborhood of Kanaranzi soon after they moved here from Davenport, in Scott county Iowa. The purpose of the organization was to promote wholesome good fellowship on holidays, anniversaries and similar festive occasions. It was an exclusive society in one respect, “Only people within a nine mile radius could be members”, according to Joe Kraetsch, whose uncle was a charter member.

 For the first 16 years KDUV remained a restricted society. The members were of German extraction. The by laws were printed in German. The society members, in true German fashion, quaffed beer by the barrel in the basement. But in 1918, because of prevailing anti-German sentiment the name was changed and the by laws printed in English. Gradually, it became more of a public hall and people came from all over to the parties and dances at the KDUV. The decade after World War I and the Depression years of the 1930’s were the years of the big public dances. Crowds, longing to forget the anxieties of the war and hard times, thronged to “The Dutch Hall” to dance to the music of Tiny Little, Al Menke, Mandy’s Jazz Kings, and a host of other well known bands. Not least among these was the radio broadcast band of Lawrence Welk and his accordian band.

 

In 1952 KDUV observed its 50^th anniversary with a community celebration to honor the ten living charter members.

“That was about the last thing we ever did there”, Joe Kraetsch recalled. “Then the state cracked down and said we had to have inside plumbing and running water and screens on every window and a policeman at dances. It finally got to be too much. Out here in the country you cant keep up a place like that. Everyone finally quit.”

The long nosed “Feinschmeckers” from St. Paul, oblivious to the lights in their own bailiwick, but so assiduous  in acting on the shortcomings of the KDUV had won the day. The KDUV closed its doors.

So cracked the heart of a noble institution. The Dutch Hall, battered, decayed, and dismantled, but still symbolic of so much that is good and fine in man’s relationship to his fellow man, is no more. Farm crops grow over the site where for half a century came the sounds of laughter, music and children at play.

 

The Kanaranzi German Social Club commenced the erection of a fine new hall and club house the first of this week just a mile south of that village. The building will be 40 by 50 feet with a wing 48 by 20. The main part will be used for a dance hall and the wing will be a dining hall and kitchen. Three thousand dollars will be expended for the building. The club consists of between forty and forty five members, mostly farmers in that vicinity.

Dances and social gatherings will take place about twice a month and our German friends out that way expect to enjoy life in their new club house. Peter Lundblom is doing the mason work this week.

July 1902

Ellsworth News

 

The opening dance at the German Hall near Kanaranzi was a great success. The Condon Orchestra furnished music for the occasion.

November 1902

Worthington Globe