Hermann in Gasconade County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Monnig Family General Store
1870 - 1890
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 21, 2012
1. Monnig Family General Store Marker
On April 15, 1870, Otto Monnig purchased this building on the corner of East Front and Guttenberg Streets and relocated his established hardware and cutlery store to this site. Over time, he expanded his inventory, adding a full line of clothing, toys, and groceries. His son-in-law, Dr. Gustave Ettmueller, opened a drug store and post office in the building. Otto Monnig also founded the Hermann Savings Bank in a building located at 106 Schiller Street, and served as its president from 1867 to 1883.
On July 29, 1886, fire destroyed this building, its contents, and the upstairs apartments. One employee, Gussie Pfautsch, was killed in the blaze. The damage was repaired and the store reopened for business by Thanksgiving of that year.
The Monnig family store was sold in 1890 to Prudot and Scherer. In 1889 the Otto Monnig family moved to Fort Worth, Texas, where Otto and three of his sons established the Monnig Department Store. In addition to a downtown Fort Worth location, Monnig's had five suburban stores, a distribution center and a warehouse. The store remained in the Monnig family until its sale in 1980.
Otto Monnig and two of his brothers, Dr. Oscar Monnig and Hugo Monnig, migrated to the United States from Rees, Germany in the 1840s. They settled and reared their families in the vicinity of Hermann,
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1870.
Location. 38° 42.41′ N, 91° 25.982′ W. Marker is in Hermann, Missouri, in Gasconade County. Marker is at the intersection of 1st Street (State Highway 100) and Gutenberg Street, on the left when traveling east on 1st Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 237 East 1st Street, Hermann MO 65041, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Caboose Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); 232 Wharf St. (within shouting distance of this marker); Pioneer Trails Juncture (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Voyage of Discovery (about 500 feet away); The Lewis and Clark Expedition Across Missouri (about 500 feet away); The Concert Hall and Barrel Bar (about 500 feet away); Schlender Building (about 700 feet away); 114 Schiller Street (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Hermann.
Also see . . .
1. Hermann Historic District National Register Nomination Amendment. (Submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Hermann, Missouri. Village website homepage (Submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 21, 2012
2. Monnig Family General Store and Marker
3. Monnig's Department Store, Fort Worth, Texas. Fort Worth Forum website entry (Submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Monnig's Department Store, Fort Worth, Texas. Google Books entry (Submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 21, 2012
3. Monnig Family General Store
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2022. It was originally submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,100 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 10, 2013, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
