In the early 1950's, many of the German immigrants settled in Brampton and the surrounding areas. At that time Brampton and Peel County had many nurseries and farms where they found employment.
A restaurant on the third line and Queen St. West in Brampton became a meeting place for those immigrants and after a while the idea came up to establish a German Club. Because of the unfamiliarity with Canadian laws, Mr. Gerhard Neudörffer was asked if he was willing to approach authorities. The law at the time stated that only a Canadian citizen could be President of such an organization. He was the only one who could give satisfaction to all the requirements of the law. Furthermore, Gerhard, because of his business, had many connections, which was a great advantage. During the winter of 1957/58 the efforts to establish the club were intensified and in March 1958, the German Canadian Club Hansa was officially registered. Till the purchase of the clubhouse in 1962, the meetings of the newly founded club were held at the home of Gerhard and Martha Neudörffer. It was also used as storage for everything concerning the club. In addition, a parcel of land was bought adjacent to the clubhouse on Highway 10, and once this was all settled the activities of the club moved to that territory.
From 1966 to 1973, dances were held in the Legion Hall, St. Mary's Hall and the Junior Farmers Hall.
One of the first under groups was the Ladies Auxiliary who made sure that the stomach came to its right during those dances. Much of the credit that the Hansa Club became an institution in and around Brampton is due to this group. The Ladies Auxiliary organized Christmas parties and Easter egg hunts which are still highlights for the members and their children.
In the fall of 1958, another group was formed which called themselves Hansa Bowling League. Over the years this group has represented the Hansa Club on many tournaments and the many trophies in the showcase are testimony that they are worthy opponents.
One of the first contests in which they took part was in a tournament between bowlers of the Toronto Harmonie Club, another group who called themselves the "Wooden Heads" (Holzköpfe) and the Hansa League. When the return match was held in Brampton, Bill Davis, M.P.P, threw the first ball.
During the early years G.C.C. Hansa became very active not only in social but also in community affairs. Peel Memorial Hospital was one of the beneficiaries, because the proceeds of one dance per year were donated to the hospital. The club also sponsored a Pee Wee Baseball and Minor Hockey team and support was given to the Senators Drum and Bugle Corps. The Hansa Club took active part in the annual Flower Festival and the highlight was when the Hansa Club received first prize with a replica of the Hansa Haus at the parade. Furthermore, the Hansa Club was the first to organize a "Biergarten" during the Flower Festival, which became a favorite place to soak parched tongues and rest tired feet after the parade.
After the acquisition of the property on Highway 10, a soccer team was founded. At the club house skat and chess games were favorite activities during the winter months . Instrumental in forming these groups was Mr. Ernst Hammans, who in 1977 together with Erhart Liedtke also formed the Hansa Choir.
In the early 1960's the club organized Mardi Gras dances. In spring 1966 the Hansa Mardi Gras Society was formed and took over the responsibility to entertain during the Mardi Gras Season.
A red-letter day in the history of the G.C.C. Hansa was the opening of the new club house named "Hansa Haus" in November 1973. It was also the beginning of a changed structure of the club. Gradually the social club became a combination of club and business.The main purpose of the club is to keep German tradition and culture alive and share with our Canadian friends of non-German origin our tradition and culture. Having this in mind, the Hansa Club and the "Historical Society of Mecklenburg Upper Canada Inc. agreed to convert the second floor of the now old clubhouse into a German Heritage Museum. It opened in the fall of 1983.
Two other groups were formed during the 1970's. One was the Hansa Rifle Club and the other the Garden Club, which used the back part of the property. Both groups do not exist any more.
The German Canadian Club "Hansa" has made its place in the communities of Brampton and Mississauga and through marriage and friend ships members of other national back grounds were welcomed and found a home at the Hansa Haus..
These are some of the highlights in the history of the Hansa Club but hopefully give the members of the German community something to remember the past. It is the sincerest hope that younger men and women carry on with the tradition started by their parents and grandparents.
