Near Saint Joe in DeKalb County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Sechler's Pickles
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 15, 2024
1. Sechler's Pickles Marker, Side One
Ralph and Anne Sechler established Sechlers Pickles (first named St. Joe Valley) on their homestead here in the 1920s. Despite the Great Depression, they grew the business, selling many varieties of pickles to local restaurants and building a larger processing facility in 1937. By the early 1950s, grocery stores across Indiana and Ohio carried Sechlers Pickles.
Workers of Mexican origin, including Braceros who arrived in the 1940s to aid the U.S. war effort, were essential to the Sechlers success. Several of these families remained with the company for decades. A network of salesmen, mail orders, church fundraisers, and partnerships with well-known companies made Sechlers Pickles a respected and nationally recognized brand.
Erected 2022 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Spencerville Covered Bridge Association, Ortiz Family, Nanas, Eastside Area Community Foundation, St. Joe-Spencerville Lions Club, Pizza, Subs & BBQ. (Marker Number 17.2022.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Hispanic Americans • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers
this page online
Location. 41° 19.636′ N, 84° 53.256′ W. Marker is near Saint Joe, Indiana, in DeKalb County. It is at the intersection of County Route 56 and Indiana Route 1, on the right when traveling west on County Route 56. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5686 IN-1, Saint Joe IN 46785, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana and in Greater Fort Wayne. It is also in the American Midwest and in the Corn Belt. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: G.A.R. Civil War Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1.3 miles away); James Franklin Sechler (Frank) (approx. 1.4 miles away); Phil Carpenter (approx. 1.4 miles away); In The Distance (approx. 1.4 miles away); Abraham Lincoln (approx. 1.4 miles
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 15, 2024
2. Sechler''s Pickles Marker, Side Two
Also see . . .
1. Sechler's Pickles. (Submitted on February 15, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
2. Historical marker honors Sechler's Pickles. Excerpt:
Saturday, the countys sixth Indiana Historical Bureau marker was unveiled at the pickle factory just north of St. Joe.(Submitted on February 15, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan.)
Sechlers Pickles was established in 1921 by Ralph Sechler, who had leased three pickling stations from the D.M. Sears Co. By the end of the following year, pickling stations in Hamilton, Edgerton and Edon, Ohio were sold to Sechler, and he was soon in business on his own with wife, Anne.
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 15, 2024
3. Sechler's Pickles Marker
Photographed by J.T. Lambrou, February 15, 2024
4. Sechler's Pickles Factory
Credits. This page was last revised on November 15, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 15, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
