Hermann, Missouri- Part One

Our original plan for today was to stay close to home because the weather forecast predicted numerous rain showers for the St.Louis area.  However, the day started out sunny, and,  as John had a dental appointment out in St.Peters on Highway 94, it just made sense to to keep going west after the appointment to the small town of Hermann.  We have visited the town in past years and have fond memories of our times spent there.  The town is nestled in the river hills of the Missouri river and is famous for its many wineries.  The drive to Hermann, on Highway 94, is quite enjoyable through a countryside of rolling hills and forests.  Many farm houses, barns, pastures and fields also dot the landscape. 

From Highway 94 it is necessary to turn unto Highway 19 to cross the Missouri River into Hermann.  Shortly after entering the town we could not help but pay attention to a small park which has placed in it the statue of a man for whom the town is named.  In A.D. the warrior Hermann led an army of Northern Europeans to oppose Roman intrusion into their homeland.  He successfully annihilated three Roman legions which consequently, according to many historians, changed the course of civilization.  The early German settlers of Hermann were proud to name their town after him.

It was in the spring of 1938 that German immigrants chose a hilly site on the Missouri River for their town.  Today Hermann is still the heart of Missouri's German America.  In the past John and I have usually focused on visiting the wineries of Herman and never gave a good look at the town.  Today we walked its streets, following a map which helped us locate a few of the 100 buildings that are listed on the National Register of Historic places.  The buildings we saw certainly are a reflection of the town's German roots.  The building pictured below is the old city hall and fire house, built in 1906.  In a couple of days the town will be celebrating Maifest, a traditional German celebration of spring.

The town has the oldest continually operating tavern west of the Mississippi.  It is located in the town's concert hall, which was built in 1878.   It was a bit of a challenge for us to walk around the town, as the town is situated on a couple of steep hills.  The picture below was taken at the top of one of those hills.

I still have more to write on the history of Hermann,  as well as more pictures to share.  Seems like another posting will be needed to complete the story of our day in that charming town!