Hermann’s history is full of captivating tales. One of the most stirring is that of George Bayer, one of the founders of our town. This self-guided tour follows a straight path from Hermannhof Winery up to Highway H. Along with beautiful scenery, you will see some of Hermann’s past . . . and its future, as well.
Hermann was founded in 1836 by the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia. In an attempt to preserve their German culture, the society dispatched a scouting committee to Missouri to find land that would be suitable for a colony that would be “German in every particular.” When the scouts returned to Philadelphia with news of what they had found, the society commissioned George Bayer to go back to Missouri and buy land.
Bayer purchased more than 11,000 acres, with the northern border being the Missouri River. The first group of settlers reached Hermann in December of 1837 without Bayer, who had been detained in Pittsburg by illness. This made things difficult because Bayer was the only person authorized to assign lots to settlers. The winter was harsh, and the Germans had to rely on earlier pioneers to survive.
Bayer made his way to Hermann in the spring of 1838, along with more settlers. He arrived to face some very unhappy inhabitants. Things only got worse. Bayer was put in charge of supplying food for all the settlers, arranging for sawmills and gristmills to be built, surveying all the land, assigning property to the colonists, building a school, and teaching at the school. Needless to say, he had a lot on his plate.
The society lost all confidence in Bayer when they realized he was not completing all of the jobs assigned to him. He was released from all duties except teaching and shunned by the rest of the town. Bayer died in March of 1839, some say of a broken heart, and buried in a remote section of the cemetery on East Hill.
Start your journey by parking near Hermannhof Winery.
1. Hermannhof Winery
This popular winery, constructed between 1848 and 1852 in the French section of Hermann, was originally a brewing company that dabbled in winemaking. An abundance of the Hermann wine produced around the turn of the 20th century was made by small wine growers. Hermanhof allowed these growers to use its equipment.
Hermannhof is open from 10:00 to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday and 11:00 to 5:00 on Sunday. The Hofgarten at the corner of Gutenberg and First Streets, an exhibition center to promote arts and culture, is the site of many events sponsored by the Dierberg Educational Foundation.
Head south on Gutenberg Street.
2. Tin Mill Brewery
Before Prohibition, breweries and taverns were common features of Hermann. Established in 2005, Tin Mill Brewery is the first commercial brewery in Hermann since Prohibition. Tin Mill brews its beer with barley and hops imported from Germany, in accordance with the German Purity Law of 1516. Hours are 11:00 to 5:00, Monday through Thursday; 11:00 to 6:00 Friday and Saturday; and noon to 5:00 on Sunday.
3. Sesquicentennial Park
This park was dedicated in 1986 as part of Hermann’s 150th anniversary celebration. During the event, a court of inquiry exonerated George Bayer of past charges, finding that the tasks assigned to him would have been impossible to carry out. This park is often used for many of Hermann’s festivals.
4. Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheatre
Dedicated May 31, 2006, this amphitheatre was donated by Clara Messmer, a retired school teacher who loved listening to local bands. The amphitheatre was a wonderful gift to Hermann that will bring entertainment and fun for years to come.
From the amphitheatre, cross the one-lane bridge and head up the hill. This is not for the faint of heart!
Imagine what this view would have been like around the turn of the 20th century. In the late 1800s, town fathers offered $50 “grape lots” to anyone interested in planting vineyards. Many residents of Hermann took part in this program, planting vineyards up and down the hills of Hermann. Today, you can still see grapevines scattered throughout the landscape.
5. City Cemetery
There are many points of interest in Hermann’s Cemetery:
George Bayer’s Grave
Even in death, George Bayer was shunned by the community that he helped create. He was buried facing away from the town, and it was declared that nobody could be buried within 75 feet of his grave, which is near the southeast corner of the cemetery, on the other side of the mausoleum.- Big Hatchie Memorial
The Big Hatchie Steamboat was moored at the Hermann wharf in 1842 when an explosion occurred. It is believed that this disaster claimed a total of 70 lives. Thirty-five of the victims are buried here in unmarked graves. Many others perished in the Missouri River, and their bodies were never recovered. The Leimer Hotel, which is still on Wharf Street, was converted into a hospital to deal with the disaster.
As you return to the main road, pause to enjoy views of the hills of Hermann, which was voted Missouri’s most beautiful town by readers of Rural Missouri Magazine.
6. 1312 Gutenberg
This home was built in 1870 by Julius Hundhausen. After fighting in the Mexican War, Hundhausen returned to Hermann, his hometown, Hermann, where he went into inn-keeping, produced wine, and served as a notary public. In 1870 Hundhausen was elected circuit clerk and recorder of deeds. By 1880 he had given up all of his careers to devote himself to winemaking. Beneath this house is a vaulted wine cellar, which Hundhausen had installed when building the home.
Continue south a short distance. Gutenberg will become Bayer Road and bring you to the next stop.
7. Stone Haus, 107 Bayer Road
On your left you will see the Stone Haus B&B, which was built by two brothers, John and William Michels. The Michels came to Missouri from Prussia in the late 1840s. Both men worked as day laborers, but they also started a vineyard on their property. There are two buildings associated with winemaking at Stone Haus, and both are on the National Register of Historic Places. Stone Haus is now a bed and breakfast, but it still has the wine cellar used by the Michels.
8. Old Catholic Cemetery
Your last stop on this tour is the old Catholic Cemetery near the intersection of Highway H and Bayer Road. A giant cross was erected to honor all of those buried here. Although there are no markers remaining for individual graves, a list of those buried on this site is on file at the Gasconade County Archives Building. This cemetery was part of St. George Parish, started in 1844. The earliest burial here dates back to 1848. In 1854, the Missouri Pacific Railroad was built through Hermann. Many railroad workers who died from an outbreak of cholera are buried here.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of Hermann as you head back down the hill toward your starting point.