Concord Township in 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
Side One
Ralph and Anne Sechler established Sechler’s 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 Sechler’s Pickles.
Side Two
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 Sechler’s Pickles a respected and nationally recognized brand.
Erected 2022 by Indiana Historical Bureau, Spencerville Covered Bridge Association, Ortiz Family, Nana’s, 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 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.
Location. 41°
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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 away); Jim Davis (approx. 1.4 miles away); Myra Selby (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Joe.
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 county’s 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.)
Sechler’s 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
2. Sechler''s Pickles Marker, Side Two
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 February 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 15, 2024, by J.T. Lambrou of New Boston, Michigan. This page has been viewed 51 times since then. 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.
