* German boys clothing outings








German Boys' Activities: Outings


Figure 1.--This unidentified German park has a small boat for family and group outings. The photograph was taken in 1905.

German children enjoyed a range of outings. Some outings may be simply playing the the stree or sidewalk near the home. Often parents set limits as to how far younger children could go. There were also trips or erands to local shops. Or perhaps see a movie at a local theater. We see many children on city side walks, although we are not sure where they are headed. Some children are checking out a Litfaßsäule. Mom might take the children out on a shopping trip. Or they might go off th visit a friends home or nearby relatives. One of the most popular outings to local city parks. We do not yet know much about German urban parks. Some boys might go by themselves. Younger boys would be escorted. Some parks had beaches on lakes. Outings to beaches were popular in Germany, although actual sea beaches were only available in far north and the teperature of the water was rargher cold. Visits to zoos were always popular. A good example is an unidentified German boy in the 1930s. Sone very good zoos were located in Germany. Parents might take children to museums making a nice family outing, Outings to local parks were of course especially popular. Family outings in the country side seem especially popular with Germans. A good example is a unidentified family on a country outing in the 1930s. We notice many photographs of German boys with bikes.

Beaches

Most Germans and Austrians lived at considerable distrances from a coast. Until theRailroads appeared, few Germans had access to beaches located in the far north. Children in inland locations could still enloy lakes and rivers. With the railroads, Germans had access to the beach. Germany had a short North Sea coast (between the Netherlands and Denmark. There was a much longer Baltic cpast (before World War II). Bost references I have noted describe the Baltic beaches, Here there was not only the Baltic coast, but German islands in the Baltic. Of all the major European countries, Germans had longer to travel to get to the beach, so it was generally a luxury for the well to do. Germany also has beautiful lakes which were more accessible to most Germans. Swiming in both locations require hardy sould. Here we are talking about rather cold water. Some parks had beaches on lakes. Outings to beaches were popular in Germany, although actual sea beaches were only available in far north and the teperature of the water was rargher cold.

Biking

We note quite a few photographs of German boys with bikes. Germany did not play a major role in the development of the bicycle, but there was some work in Germany. Baron Karl Drais von Sauerbronn, who invented the "draisine" in 1817, 2 in-line wheels connected by a wooden frame. The rider sat astride and pushed it along with his feet, while steering the front wheel. Bikes became very popular in Germany and several mnufacturers produced them. We note a few boys had bikes in the late-19th century. A good example is an unidentified German boy in 1888 with a penny-farthing bicycle. Bikes in the 19th century were not all that safe. Manufacturers by the 20th century were producing bikes that boys could safely operate, although somewht expensive for many families. Many workers used bikes for transport to work. Cars were beyond the price that workers could afford. After World war I it became more common for bots to have bikes, at least middle-class boys. We note a German father and son about 1905-10. We note Hitler Youth boys taking biking expeditions in the 1930s. We note some girls with bikes, but most of the images we have founds are boys riding them. German boys commonly wore short pants wuth riding bikes. Lederhosen were a popular choice.

Circuses

The circus has roots in ancient Rome and medieval traveling entertainers. There was in the 18th century a tradition of equestrian shows in Europe, including Germany. Trick riders were performing all over Europe as well as America. Jacob Bates was an English equestrian operating shows primarily in the German states, but took his show even to Russia (1764-65) and America (1772-73). Other showmen (Price, Johnson, Balp, Coningham, Faulkes, and "Old" Sampsonbegan) organizing similar shows. This appears to have been the inspiration for Philip Astley (1742-1814) who is generally credited with founding the modern circus in England. There was, however, from the beginning a pan-European basius for the cirfcus. Astley was a retired cavalry Sergeant-Major who became a showman. The noted German equestrian Carl Magnus Hinné (1819-90) established circuses in Frankfurt, Warsaw, and Copenhagen. He even founded circuses as far away as St. Petersburg and Moscow (1868). He was followed by the Italian brother-in-law, Gaetano Ciniselli (1815-81). German and Italian names thius became strongly associated with Russia. The Gautier family in France founded a Scandinavian circus dynasty. The German-sounding Schumanns (actually Sweeds) became a familiar name in Denmark, although the "Danish" Schumanns are Swedish. The first French circus dynasty was founded by an Italian--Antonio Franconi. All these cross border relations meant that acts from each individual countrieds appeared and were emulated throughout Europe. Trained bears were, for example, a traditional sct in Russia. Many of these differenta acts were merged into the original equestian trick shows to form the circus. The traveling circus and menagerie reached its peak in Europe in the inter-War era (1920s-30s). This was especially the case in Germany. The innovative traveling enterprises of Krone, Sarrasani and Hagenbeck dominated the German market. Not all circuses were family enterprises. Many German cities had large circus buildings. Sarrasani had a building in Dresden. Krone had a circus building in Münich. Hagenbeck had a facility in Stellingen. This was not only the case in Germzny. There wsere four permanent circuses operating in Paris. European circus goers, at least in the big cities, began to expect a degree of comfort and sophistication compsrable to the theater. The traveling American circus with its tents began to impact Europe. The traveling circus and tent brought the circus to much larger numbers of Europeans that was possible with big city performances. In Germany and other European countries there were not only large traveling circuses, but also much smaller operations which reached into rural areas and small villages.

Country Outings

Family outings in the country side seem especially popular with Germans. A good example is a unidentified family on a country outing in the 1930s.

Musums

Parents might take children to museums making a nice family outing, Outings to local parks were of course especially popular.

Parks

One of the most popular outings to local city parks. We do not yet know much about German urban parks. Some boys might go by themselves. Younger boys would be escorted. We have very little information about German parks at this time. We know that all large German cities had parks. We do not know the chronology of their development or if there were any destinctive aspects to German parks. Hopefully our German readers will provide us some insights. A reader has provided us a view of a Berlin part in 1930. This is also an interesting glimse at a post-World War I German family. Notice the small size of the family. Declining birth rates was an issue that the NAZIs wrestled with when they seized power in the 1930s.

Shopping

Mom might take the children out on a shopping trip.

Spas

Germany is noted for its spas a warm mineral springs. The concern with spas and wellness dates back to ancient times. Perhaps the most famous German spa is Baden-Baden. The Roman were known to enhoy the hot mineral springs there. Bathing fell out of favor after the fall of the Roman Empire durung the medieval era. The popularity of the spas began to recover in the modern era (18th century). At the time, spas were mostly used by royalty and aristocrats, the people at the tome who could afford to travel. This changed in the 19th century with the advent of railroads--the same dynamic affecting seaside resorts. The railroads substantially reduced the cost of travel at the same time that the Industrial Revolution was creating enormous wealth and signbificantly expanding the middle class. The spa resorts becane enornously popular. There were even important binternational meetings held that. While a few spas like Baden-Baden are extremely well known, there are many lesser-known spa resorts. One estimate suggests thart Germany alone has 900 spa resorts. There are different kinds of spas, including mineral and mud spas, climatic health resorts (fresh air), sea-side resorts, and Kniepp hydrotherapy spa resorts. Trips to spas are commonly family events.

Street Outings

German children enjoyed a range of outings. Some city outings may be simply playing the the street or sidewalk near the home. Often parents set limits as to how far younger children could go. There were also trips or erands to local shops. Or perhaps see a movie at a local theater. We see many children on city side walks, although we are not sure where they are headed. Some children are checking out a Litfaßsäule.

Visits

Or children might go off to visit a friends home or nearby relatives.

Zoos

Visits to zoos were always popular. A good example is an unidentified German boy in the 1930s. Sone very good zoos were located in Germany.








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Created: 1:57 AM 5/3/2009
Last updated: 9:33 PM 11/15/2013