Schuetzenfest is a tradition in Germany dating back to the 1300s.As Germans settled in what would become Warren County, the festival and target shooting competition became a tradition here.The practice was created in Germany by necessity. Germany did not have a permanent army. Private citizens could be called to defend the country. Rulers needed to create a citizenry of potential warriors.They established a Schuetzenground, or location, where local men could practice their marksmanship after church services.A flag from the 1323 celebration is still used in the present-day celebrations in Germany.As German immigrants settled in this area, they recreated Schuetzenfest. The first Schuetzenfest in Warren County was organized in 1856. The first two events were held at Brandt’s Store on Boone’s Lick Road.In 1858, organizers bought 4 acres on Schuetzenground Road where they erected one building for a dance hall and a second building for a dining room and kitchen.The group held dances on Saturday evenings throughout the summers and held festivals in the spring and fall.The main event of each year was held in late spring, usually on Pentecost Monday. It was a special time for members. Their friends came from all over the countryside and other counties to be a part of it. Politicians came from all over the state.Traveling was not easy. They came by horse and buggy.Schuetzenfest lasted two days. Families camped on the grounds or stayed with nearby farmers. They brought food for themselves and their horses. Also, food was prepared and sold by members on the grounds.In 1908, the price of dinner was raised from 25 to 35 cents and people complained about the high price of food.Sometimes food would run out and some of the members would go home and do more butchering and preparing.In 1899, there were 86 members. Before 1900 members wore custom made uniforms. To become a member one had to be of German descent. This rule discontinued after World War I.At the spring festival there was always a shooting match for the best marksmanship. One of the eldest carpenters in the community would make a wooden eagle that the marksmen would shoot at.The man who shot the last remaining part of the eagle down would win the title of “King of the Schuetzenfest.” He would select a queen and a royal court that consisted of 10 or 11 couples. Victory in this contest brought a money prize and the title of King until the same event the following year.In the evening, just before the start of the dance, there would be a promenade or march around the grounds led by two flag bearers, one carrying the stars and stripes, the other carrying the German flag. The king and queen and their attendants came after the flag bearers. Then the members with their wives would follow.The king and queen wore long scarves over their shoulders. Each year it was the duty of the queen to embroider her name and that of the king and the date of their reign on colorful squares of silk and velvet. These embroidered squares then became a part of the ceremonial scarf.Warren County has embroidered squares from Schuetzenfest royalty going back to 1861.The dance hall was always crowded with several hundred people, and there were more people outside. In its heyday Schuetzenfest attracted big crowds and was just as much a community tradition as today’s Warren County Fair.The original building was destroyed in a fire in 1980. It had served the community for more than a century. A new building went in its place shortly after.Today, known as the Schuetzenground Dance Hall, it is a rental space. A shooting match still happens, now with men and women participating. The queen is the best female marksman rather than the king’s wife or girlfriend.The matches don’t happen every year like they used to.This story was provided by the Warren County Historical Society, which is funded by donations and run by volunteers.The museum is located at 102 W. Walton in Warrenton, and is open from 10 to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.For more information, to attend an event or to make a donation, call 636-456-3820 or email museum@warrencountymohistory.com. Websites: warrencountymohistory.com or https://www.facebook.com/warrencountyhistoricalsociety.

To continue the German tradition of Schuetzenfest, a marksmanship festival, German emmigrants bought property to build this building in 1858. About 120 years later, in 1980, it was stuck by an arsonist. 

Submitted photo

This structure replaced the original, 120 year old Schuetzenground building after it was destroyed. It has been home to Schuetzenfest members and events that were brought to Warren County from Germany. This building opened to the community in 1983 and is located on Schuetzenground Road about a half mile north of Highway M. It's better know in this century as the Schuetzenground Dance Hall.