The club was founded by
27 men on January 22nd 1939 at the Swiss
Hall at Canton and Forest Street in Detroit, Michigan.
The constitution
written at that time proposed the purpose of
the club was to be a non-profit organization that would forward the
sport of marksmanship in good fellowship, cooperate with conservation
and wildlife authorities, promote and provide for the social welfare of
its members and foster the German language and cultural customs, uphold
good citizenship and respect the laws and customs of the United States
of America, with exclusion of any confessional or political activity.
(Excerpt from the constitution)
On July 4th 1939 the
first Schützenfest was held at Emil
Schulte Park or Schützenwald located along the Clinton River in
Mount Clemens, Michigan. Wilhelm Reinhard served as the first King of
the Schützenfest on that date.
During the second world
war so many men were called to serve the
country that membership shrank from about 100 to 24. During that period
of time there were no festivals, competition sport events or
Schützenfests held. When the war ended membership once again
increased and everyone participated in sending care packages of needed
goods to Germany. With this growth the Schützenfest resumed again
and usually was held on the third Sunday in July. The Kingsball was
held in October and the public and guests were invited to attend. It
was considered one of the most liked festivities in the metro Detroit
area.
Shooting competition
grew to include the following: Wanderpokal
was awarded to the shooter that scored first three times in a row
during the year. Winterpokal was held in members basements and awards
were presented. Every summer there was a Pokal shooting with the
Kolping Marksmen, the Snow Owl Outdoor Club and Clinton River Sportsmen
Association. Pokal shooting with the Kolping club is still held in the
fall of the year.
On February 20th, 1968
the GBU district 701 merged with the
Schützenverein, it was made possible when 35 members took a GBU
policy and in May 1968 the official name was changed to
Deutsch-Amerikanischer Schützenverein, Inc. With this merger, the
GBU clubhouse and property on 2650 Auburn Road in Pontiac Township (now
Auburn Hills) was acquired and was renamed as the Schützenhaus and
Schützenpark. During that same year the dance pavilion was built
and in June of 1971 the Bierhaus was completed. Later additions include
the outdoor kitchen and shooting booth. The Ladies Auxilliary was
formed in May of 1973. In the Spring of each year, starting with Luise
Ohlendorf in 1971, there is a Queensball to honor the queen for that
year.
We have many events
that are open to the public throughout the
year. They include Schlachtfest, the Country Western Bar-B-Que,
Schützenfest and Oktoberfest. There is a monthly meeting with
prize shooting competition and an annual appreciation dinner for all
members.
The DASV is a member
organization of the German American
Cultural Center, Michigan United Conservation Clubs and the National
Rifle Association.
