Our History: The Turn Verein, a German athletic association whose purpose was the improvement of the mind through the development of the body, purchased the land for the building for the sum of $15,800.00 in 1891. On April 18, 1891 the plans of architect James Wahrenberger were approved and Adam Maurer was authorized to build "Turner Halle" for the sum of $34,934.00. The building contained a bowling alley, a gymnasium, and a Grand Ballroom for the most formal events, and was 20,000 square feet of pressed Chicago brick, trimmed with Kerrville limestone and granite.

On January 30, 1892, the Grand Opening Party was held, and was reported in "The San Antonio Daily Express" newspaper as the "an affair worthy of the occasion and eclipsed in elegance anything witnessed in local social circles for many years". Unfortunately, the Turner's faced difficult times as the next generation of children did not share their parent's love and enthusiasm for gymnastics and acrobatics, the essential interest in the athletic association. Nonetheless, the club wanted more, and by February 1929, the Turner's had plans drawn up for an upward expansion of their building; there would be an additional 10 stories, including a 3rd story swimming pool "of regulation size", basketball courts, office space, club rooms, and a "male" dining room. But these visions were never realized as apparently the Turner's fared no better than anyone else did from the Great Depression, and they were forced to default on their loan payments to the Grand Lodge of the Herman in 1932.

The United States government bought the property for $90,000 in 1942 for the purpose of serving as a U.S.O. center. With all the anti-German sentiment flourishing during World War II, it was deemed necessary to remove the German markings from the building; the stone name "Turner Halle" was removed form the outside roof, the stained glass "Star of David's" located in each of the highest windows of the Ballroom were boarded over, and the final insult, the buildings beautiful architecture was painted over in olive drab green. (this paint would later have to be sand-blasted from the building to remove it, an event which would destroy the patina and waterproofing of the brick). In the 1970's the USO relocated to Hemisfair Plaza, and the building was converted into storage for the downtown Post Office.

In 1980 downtown developer Arthur P. "Hap" Veltman began looking for a downtown location for a nightclub to replace his previous downtown Gay Nightclub "The San Antonio Country", which had recently been purchased for a large sum of money in a much publicized event by the Valero Corporation. He choose the building for it's beauty and history, and set about the costly adventure of renovating the long neglected building. The Bonham Exchange opened it's doors in July 1981, with a great party to rival the Grand opening back in 1891, 90 years earlier- and we have been going ever since. Hap was a great man with a great vision, and the world truly lost a visionary with his rather sudden and untimely death in December of 1988. He left the club to two beneficiaries in a life Estate, Kenneth Garrett, who still heads the club today, and Wade Strauch who was also lost to an untimely death in 1992.

Today the Bonham Exchange building is 120 years old, and has been in business as a night club for 30 years an incredible feat for any night spot. We have been host to many big name entertainers over the years, including, but not limited to: Tina Turner, the Ramones, the Bangels, Iggy Pop, Bronski Beat, The Thompson Twins, Simple Minds, Georgia Ragsdale, Debra Harry, Black Box, Martha Wash, Taylor Dane, Ru Paul, Real Life, Pamela Stanly, Suzanne Westenhoeffer, Lonnie Gordon, and Ministry. We have also had celebrity events and sightings with such stars as Helen Reddy, Puff Daddy, Prince, Patrick Swayze, Dennis Rodman, Charles Barkley, Ashley Judd. Broadway Shows on Tour: Greater Tuna, Will Rogers Follies, Hello Dolly!, Buddy theBuddy Holly Story, Fiddler on the roof, The Phantom of the Opera National Tour I & II, Jesus Christ Superstar, South Pacific, Swing!, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, BLAST!, Mamma Mia!, Cats, Grease, Singin n the rain, La Cage Aux Folles, Chicago, Cabaret, Les Miserables, The Producers, Aida and 42nd street. Also the Moscow Ballet and The Nutcraker Russian Ballet.

Dont forget many members of Community Theatre, Dance Companies & Artists around Texas visit the Bonham Exchange weekly

Our Mission: At the Bonham Exchange we strive to not only provide a safe venue for music and dancing, but to change with the times. We hope to expose people to new ideas and to maintain a space where ALL individuals can get along and enjoy each others company regardless of sex, race, ethnicity, age, or sexual preference.

We invite you to come out, be whoever you want to be and have a great time without fear of criticism.

This is the legacy of the Bonham Exchange, as envisioned by Hap Veltman.