The Bonham Exchange

History

The Bonham Exchange was built in 1891 and opened as Turner Hall, a German men’s only athletic club. This building was one of four Turner Hall’s built in South Texas. The club – which required membership cards – had a gymnasium, a steam room, and even a cigar lounge. It featured a stunning ballroom with giant ceilings meant for the most formal of occasions. This was the social epicenter of the day, and probably the only time women were allowed in. There were formal dances, big bands, and the like.

The members formed their own fire brigade, and boasted their own vehicle, one of the first in the area.

The building, built with a massive limestone foundation was planned to be larger than the original three story structure…in fact, it was supposed to be a total of 14 stories, with the floor above the ballroom to be an olympic sized swimming pool. Unfortunately, the Great Depression struck, and they ran out of money.

Forced to sell, the building turned into a men’s only USO. Women cooked for the soldiers in the small kitchen near the ballroom. In the 1970’s, the US Post Office took possession of the building and it became the district office. In 1979 the building was purchased with the intent of turning it into an inclusive nightclub. In 1981, it opened as The Bonham Exchange and remains one of the most legendary clubs in the U.S.

The Legend

For years workers have reported paranormal activity at the Bonham, from a female ghost dressed in white who loves to dance, and then rest on a particular bench, to a playful ghost they’ve named Travis who likes to touch women. While the energy feels positive throughout the building, the basement is the one place everyone hates being in.

They’ve heard voices, footsteps, seen a little girl on the stairs near the ballroom – the building is incredibly active which could be explained by it’s location. The Bonham is just one block away from the Alamo, and the ground it sits on was once a bloody battle ground.

There is also a question of travelers and that the building may have more paranormal importance than believed.

After The Haunt

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