Krisch Hall is one of the forgotten dance halls of San Antonio, Texas where many masquerade balls and dance performances took place. This news article will explain the history behind Krisch Hall.
Frank Krisch Sr opened Krisch Hall sometime around 1798 in downtown San Antonio. Krisch Hall would open as Krisch Hall and saloon. (Ref: http://txbexar.eppygen.org/Records/Re_CD_1891_K.htm)
Krisch Hall was one of the terpsichorean bright spots of San Antonio during the 18th century and 19th century. There were harvest moon dances, Thanksgiving dances and New Year's dances besides many others during the interim, all climaxed with masquerade balls around St. Valentine Day. There was any number of social clubs in the city in those days, among which may be mentioned the San Antonio Singing and Social Club, the Modocs, the Hayseeds and the Ivys. All of these had their dances during the fall and winter and picnics in the spring and summer. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-express-oct-11-1936-p-30/)
To change the routine of these outings the halls gave moonlight picnics with a hayride to and from the picnic grounds. When there was no moonlight they carried kerosene torches and called this "moonlight on the stick.”
There were no formalities whatever more than starting off on the right foot for the dance. Everybody felt perfectly at home and they mingled together like one large, happy family. They would gather at the homes of the young ladies at different times, often in the form of a surprise party, bringing their own refreshments and music, so that the house was cleared for an informal dance in the matter of a few moments.
By 1891, Krisch Hall had been operating as a dance hall and saloon called “Krisch Hall and saloon” at the address/location of 207 N Flores. Frank Krisch Sr and J. Weber & Co. had owned & operated Krisch Hall during this time. (Ref: http://txbexar.eppygen.org/Records/Re_CD_1891_K.htm)
Frank Krisch and his brother Amand helped run Krisch Hall and saloon at the locations of 203 N Flores and 207 N Flores. (Ref: https://www.peachridgeglass.com/2014/06/the-missing-link-universal-bitters-by-nicholas-kieffer/)
Harmonia Lodge No. 1, Order of the Sons of Hermann rented from Krisch Hall beginning on April 30, 1891. By this time Krisch Hall was located on the corner of West Houston Street and North Flores Street. (Ref: https://archive.org/stream/90thAnniversaryHarmoniaLodgeNo.1OrderOfTheSonsOfHermannSan/OSH_djvu.txt)
Minstrel shows played a significant role in the history of Krisch Hall. Minstrel shows were often performed at Krisch Hall during the 19th century and 20th century. The success of Minstrel shows led Krisch Hall to become well-known in San Antonio. That is how minstrel shows were significant role in the history of Krisch Hall.
For example, a colored minstrel club, known as the "Big 5," gave some extremely laughable entertainment at Krisch Hall on the night of May 18, 1882. That was enjoyed much by those present. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/31138116/the-san-antonio-light/)
The Texas Colored Minstrels performed in front of segregated audiences at Krisch Hall. Among them was John "Banjo King" Brown. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=bVeW6svnE-UC&pg=PA207)
Lesser known African American minstrel troupes, like the regional Sunny South minstrel troupe or the local “The Big 5” troupe played integrated spaces in San Antonio like Krisch Hall, San Pedro Springs, and various beer gardens. (Ref: https://www.vamonde.com/posts/minstrelsy-and-vaudeville/10296)
However being a classy terpsichorean place did not prevent any violence from occurring. Krisch Hall was not immune to violence.
One example of violence at Krisch Hall was when Al Marx was “worsted” by a Mr. O’Leary of Ireland during an undercard of fights at Krisch Hall in San Antonio. Because Marx was “of Sullivan notoriety,” the fight was a disappointment with O’Leary raining blow after blow, and bruising Marx’s left arm, “drawing the first claret of the evening.” (Ref: http://www.farabaugh.org/tree/ps86/ps86_255.htm)
Another example of violence at Krisch Hall was jealousy during a dance led to a terrible struggle with knives and pistols on the night of October 05, 1883. Jealousy during a dance led to such a terrible strife. (Ref: https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87090966/1883-10-05/ed-1/seq-1/)
Krisch Hall was also a hotbed for local politics for both Republicans and Democrats alike during the 19th century and 20th century. There were many political conventions held during those times mentioned.
Jesse L. Hall was chosen as marshal at the convention at Krisch Hall in San Antonio on the date of January 26, 1884. (Ref: https://books.google.com/books?id=G_Z5DwAAQBAJ&pg=PA172)
On August 30, 1884, the Democrats of the city gathered together at Krisch’s hall for the purpose of organizing a Cleveland and Hendricks club. (Ref: https://newspaperarchive.com/san-antonio-light-aug-30-1884-p-1/)
“The Democrats of the city gathered together last evening at Krisch’s hall for the purpose of organizing a Cleveland and Hendricks club. J. H. McHenry having called the meeting, briefly explained the object of it, and Major J. E. Dwyer was put in nomination for Temporary Chairman and unanimously elected.”
“An enthusiastic meeting of the Democratic club was held this morning at Krisch’s hall, for the purpose of taking the necessary measures to commemorate the election of Cleveland as President and Hendricks as Vice President of the United States in a suitable manner. Beaming smiles and congratulatory hand shaking were in the natural order of things, and the feeling of exultation was not restrained in the slightest degree. Mr. Ferguson took his seat in the Presidential chair amid loud applause, which did not cease until he had called the meeting to order. Mr. Ferguson said, after order had been obtained, that they had met on very important business. At the solicitation of the principal members of the club, he had called the meeting, and it seemed to him it was opportune that it was called in the light of the address which has been issued by the National Democratic committee, which lie would proceed to read to them, and he particularly wished to call attention to the wording of that address.”
Frank Krisch Sr shut down Krisch Hall somewhere around 1911. The old Krisch Hall was later converted into a convention hall where the late James Stephen Hogg at the State Democratic Convention received his first nomination for the office of governor of Texas. (Ref: https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/385045203/)
A Sugarman Bros. store was established and located where Krisch Hall once was in April of 1933. Bernard Sugarman was responsible for moving the store into this location. This Sugarman Bros. store would stay at this location until dissolving in 1985. Krisch Hall was demolished after 1986. This convention hall is now home to Frost Bank.
Krisch Hall was located at 207 North Flores Street, San Antonio, Texas, US 78205.
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