Belleville in St. Clair County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Moehle Blacksmith Shop

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

1. Moehle Blacksmith Shop Marker

Inscription. Two generations of Moehles shod horses and mules at this location. German immigrant Vollrath Moehle established a blacksmith shop after serving in the Civil War. His son, Walter Moehle, constructed this building in 1908 with a blacksmith shop on the main floor and a family residence above. The Moehle family continued to live in the building until 1968. After Walter Moehle retired in 1928, the work space mainly serviced automobiles, with Donald Groom opening an auto repair shop in 1929. Successors in the 1930s including Crafton's Auto Top Shop and Triangle Service Garage. The longest operating of the later businesses was Luehder's Tires and Batteries in the 1960s and 70s. While the upper story continued to house residents, the main floor was often vacant or used for storage. In 2022 Kinsey Mordini bought the building for her residence and for an office of Avenue Realty.

Erected 2023 by Belleville Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Immigration • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 38° 30.716′ N, 89° 58.666′ W.

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Marker is in Belleville, Illinois, in St. Clair County. It is on Mascoutah Avenue north of Lincoln Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 122 Mascoutah Ave, Belleville IL 62220, 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 Viceroyalty of New France,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Gustavus Koerner (within shouting distance of this marker); Ever and Anon Park (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Garfield Street Saloon (about 600 feet away); Maurer's Hardware Store (about 700 feet away); Kaysing Building (about 800 feet away); Dorothea Deichmann Millinery (approx. 0.2 miles away); Romeiser Building

Photographed by Jason Voigt, December 9, 2024

2. Moehle Blacksmith Shop Marker

Marker is mounted on the left building (under 122)

(approx. 0.2 miles away); St. Clair National Bank (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Belleville.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2024, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.