New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-12
NO LONGER WALHALLA.
THE EAST SIDE FORUM CHANGES IT'S
NAME WITH ITS NEW DRESS

NAME WITH ITS NEW DRESS.
The remodelling refurnishing and bedzening
Of Walhalla Hall is a matter Of much interest
"a the lower East Side. 1t really means the
nassing of the old hall and the loss Of its sig
nifcance among the people whose rayng point
# has been for so long. Walhalla Hall has been
IN the course of its varied existence all things
70 all men, and to all women. too. There was
time when it was frequented by people of a
sphere quite different from those who have
thronged to it of late years In the old days,
h4fcro all who claimed place in society had
moved uptown and left downtown TO business
and 10 that remarkable composite that MAKES
ND the lower East Side, Walhalla was the re-
sort Of such organizations as the Manhattan
Historical Society the Foresters' the Aiicien'
Order Of Red Men. and NUMBER OF Nasoiii'
lodges 1t was beloved of the late Dinhy SUI
Ivan who organized there that wonderiui iouee
Of the Grand Army of the Republic, not men,
Der Of whom. excepting "Dinny' himself hau
evar soon service The O'Brien Democracy used
TO hold forth there, as also did Tim Campbel
weird Oriental Club, called because none Oh
It's members had ever been any further east
than Ireland
In those DAYS Walhalla Hall was the scene OF
many a brilliant festival But as the popula-
ton began to move further and further uptown
the glory Of Walhalla began to fade But an
other glory succeeded the first, and if 1t was
lesser it was even more remarkable in quallty'
Walhala in the last few years has been put
to two principal uses. 1t has been used as the
rendezvous Of various organizations OF lower
East Side society, whose sole ambition seemed
TO be to outshne and outdazzle all similar or
CARNATIONS These societies or clubs were com
posed Of both sexes, and a rule bore such be-
wiIdering names as the Eighth Ward Lady
Flashers." the Gents of the Mug" THE Only
Peaches" and The Hot Tamales" To the
efforts Of these rivals to Guidance each other
the hall owes much of the celebrity it has gained
IN song and in story since its first clients de-
serted il.
But Walhalla Hall has had another mission
than accommodating he ornaments of East
Side swelld0m 1t has been for years the forum
Of the East Side Whenever there has been any
great Industrial disturbance on the lower East
Side the thousands interested have made as
by one impulse TO Walhalla Hall. Here the
striking ,ailors Of all varieties meet and dis
cuss their grievances elect their committees
and determine upon the line of action they shall
pursue. The hall has been the ranying point
Of the wageworkers organizations The ola
building stands in Orchard-st., near Grand, IN
a district crowded with humanity almost be-
youd all belief. At this season of the year the
streets are blocked with swarming pedlers, toll
ers and children of every nationality under
heaven Walhalla Hall has been growing dingy
for some years. Its stairs have been getting
more and more rickety and it's walls more and
more dirty. Beneath it is saloon and one
rheumatic pool table. Behind it are two or three
rooms that are let to family parties for wed
dings and christenings. Now the whole estap-
lishment is to be refurb!shed and repaired ana
devoted wholly to social purposes OF hlgh
order" It's name has already been changeo 10
prospect Hall.