Everyone has heard of Mardi Gras, but who knows what Fasching is? The Essen Haus does, that’s who. For another year the Essen Haus is throwing
in a bit of fasching flair into their huge Mardi Gras celebration.
Fasching, the German equivalent of Mardi Gras or Carnival, traces back
to Medieval times. Although celebrated throughout Europe, Germans claim the
prize for most enthusiastic celebrators.
Madison, also known for the festive spirit and the history of German
heritage, makes Fasching a must-have in the area. Where better than Madison’s only German restaurant
and drinking hall!
The history of Madison’s German heritage begins in the 1860s when
German immigrants began building and starting businesses on East Wilson St. In 1872 William Schumacher built Germania
House, a hotel that catered specifically to German travelers. Nearly all the innkeepers and merchants in
this area were German and it became Madison’s first German neighborhood.
The increasing railroad system brought nine converging tracks in
Madison along with a train depot located on the Wilson St. With the railroad came travelers and
wanderers which produced an environment for partying. This block of downtown has seen its ups and
downs, but Schumacher and the original German immigrants would be happy to see
that their heritage lives on at the Essen Haus.
Likely, this was the very location that immigrants celebrated Fasching
and other traditional holidays over 150 years ago.
While the Essen Haus rocks the Fasching party with Copper Box, the Come
Back In will host the New Orleans-style Mardi Gras party with Otis & the
Alligators, beads and all.
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