Frankenmuth in Saginaw County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn

Photographed By M H, January 17, 2011

1. Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Side A:
The village of Frankenmuth began as a German community in 1845. Its first settlers were among the German immigrants who left their homeland because of poor farming conditions and political unrest. Frankenmuth also attracted people who wanted to convert the Indians to the Lutheran faith. The Zehnder family emigrated from Germany in 1846. A family trip back to Bavaria in the 1950s inspired them to redecorate their restaurant in the Bavarian theme. The Bavarian Inn's motif, accented by a fifty-foot-high Glockenspiel, echoes Frankenmuth's German heritage. Over 20 million meals were served at the inn between 1888 and 1988. A record 5,470 meals were served on October 9, 1982. By the 1980s the Bavarian Inn was recognized as one of the ten largest restaurants in the United States.

Side B:
Theodore Fischer, a former bartender at the Exchange Hotel (now Zehnders's Restaurant), established the Union House Hotel in 1888. His son, Herman and daughter-in-law, Lydia are said to have begun the tradition of the "All You Can Eat" family-style chicken dinners served here. The William Zehnder, Sr., family, distant relatives

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Marker (Side B) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mh, December 22, 2013

2. Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Marker (Side B)

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of Fischer, purchased the restaurant in 1950 and continued the chicken dinner tradition. In 1959 the Zehnders extensively renovated, enlarged and redecorated the restaurant in a fantasy Bavarian motif. They also changed the name of the restaurant to the Bavarian Inn. A week-long grand opening celebration held in 1959 in honor of the new addition evolved into the annual Frankenmuth Bavarian Festival.

Erected 1988 by Bureau of History, Michigan Department of State. (Marker Number 1577.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Michigan Historical Commission series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1859.

Location. 43° 19.587′ N, 83° 44.422′ W. Marker is in Frankenmuth, Michigan, in Saginaw County. Marker is on South Main Street (State Highway 83), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 713 South Main Street, Frankenmuth MI 48734, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Michigan's German Settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); Zehnder’s (within shouting distance of this marker); Rau's Country Store Recalls Bygone Era

Photographed By John Garman, December 23, 2019

3. Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Marker

New location of the historical marker.

(about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Frankenmuth Woolen Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Michigan's Oldest Woolen Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); Marv Herzog Fest Platz (approx. 0.3 miles away); Star of the West Milling Company (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Frankenmuth.

Also see . . . Frankenmuth Museum (from Internet Archive). The Frankenmith Historical Society gives the history of their museum and the town. (Submitted on January 25, 2011.)

Former location of marker, seen from South Main St. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By M H, January 17, 2011

4. Former location of marker, seen from South Main St.

Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant image. Click for full size.

Photographed By M H, January 17, 2011

5. Frankenmuth Bavarian Inn Restaurant

Credits. This page was last revised on September 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on January 24, 2011. This page has been viewed 1,306 times since then and 32 times this year. Last updated on September 19, 2020. Photos: 1. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 2. submitted on December 29, 2013, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. 3. submitted on September 19, 2020, by John Garman of Rochester Hills. 4, 5. submitted on January 24, 2011, by Mh of Las Vegas, Nevada. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.