Though the society disbanded, 1839, the town had a steady German immigration. A German newspaper "Licht Freund" (Friend of Light) was founded, 1843, by Edward Muehl, soon known for his anti-slavery views, and a German school was chartered, 1849.
Hermann developed as a river shipping point and grape culture and wine making flourished. Here, before Prohibition, was one of the largest wineries in the U.S. George Husmann (1827-1902), famed viticulturist, had a vineyard near Hermann. Today several large industries have plants here.
Near the Hermann Bridge, completed, 1930, many German Immigrants perished when the steamboat Big Hatchie exploded, 1843.
Side 2:
Hermann is reminiscent of Rhine Valley towns with its distinctive architecture here amid the splendor of the Ozark foothills. In 1843 it became the fourth town to serve as seat of Gasconade County. The present courthouse was built in 1898 with $50,000 donated by C. D. Eitzen.
The County, organized, 1820, is named for the Gasconade (French = brag) River. One of the first county officials was Daniel Morgan Boone, son of the pioneer. Niter found in caves, game, and timber brought settlement in the early 1800's. The returning Lewis and Clark Expedition, 1806, joyfully hailed the sight of cows along the riverbank here.
When the Missouri Pacific R.R. reached Jefferson City, 1855, its first bridge over the Gasconade, some 7 miles west, collapsed with its first train killing 28 passengers.
Hermann celebrates its heritage in the traditional Maifest (May Festival). Then featured are German costume, music, and cookery. An old homes tour includes Stone Hill Farm Wine cellars now used in raising mushrooms. There is a town museum.
| HM Number | HMTC7 |
|---|---|
| Tags | |
| Year Placed | 1955 |
| Placed By | State Historical Society of Missouri and State Highway Commission |
| Marker Condition | No reports yet |
| Date Added | Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014 at 5:47pm PDT -07:00 |
| UTM (WGS84 Datum) | 15S E 635817 N 4285398 |
|---|---|
| Decimal Degrees | 38.70680000, -91.43798333 |
| Degrees and Decimal Minutes | N 38° 42.408', W 91° 26.279' |
| Degrees, Minutes and Seconds | 38° 42' 24.48" N, 91° 26' 16.74" W |
| Driving Directions | Google Maps |
| Area Code(s) | 573, 636 |
| Closest Postal Address | At or near 100-198 Mozart St, Hermann MO 65041, US |
| Alternative Maps | Google Maps, MapQuest, Bing Maps, Yahoo Maps, MSR Maps, OpenCycleMap, MyTopo Maps, OpenStreetMap |
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