Columbia in Monroe County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Schmidt Beer Cave

800 Block S. Main St.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 9, 2021

1. Schmidt Beer Cave Marker

Inscription. The beer cave was used to store beer that was brewed at Schmidt Brewery (521 S. Main Street) in the early 1800s. The barrels of beer were later delivered to local saloons. The brewery closed in the 1860s, but the cave was used in later year store ice that was cut in the winter for use the following summer. Only one room remains, with an air shaft at the backside to the ground above. Originally there was a second room across the back with a running spring to maintain the cave's cool temperature, but it has since collapsed. In the 1930s hobos who had ridden train on a nearby track would use the cave for shelter. The cave remains at 52 degrees during the summer months.

Erected by Kaskaskia Cahokia Trail; the City of Columbia, Illinois.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Natural Features • Natural Resources • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1800.

Location. 38° 26.297′ N, 90° 11.52′ W. Marker is in Columbia, Illinois, in Monroe County. It is on South Main Street 0.1 miles south of Ludman Street, on the right when traveling

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south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 818 S Rapp Ave, Columbia IL 62236, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater St. Louis.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Columbia/Waterloo Road Whistle Post (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Corporation Line Sign (about 500 feet away); South Meter Whistle Stop (about 500 feet away); Kaskaskia-Cahokia Trail (about 600 feet away); Rohm House (about 800 feet away); Eichmuller-Rau Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); German Style Cottage (approx. 0.2 miles away); Schmidt House & Brewery (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Photographed by Thomas Smith, April 8, 2021

2. Schmidt Beer Cave Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 9, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 771 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 9, 2021, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.