Kiesler Building

Kiesler Building. . In October 1899, John Baumann sold Lot 65 to Henry Kiesler for $3,000. Henry, in turn, sold part of Lot 65 to his son, John H. Kiesler, for $300 in December of 1899. On the property was a building which housed a barber shop and saloon which was razed in early 1905. John H. Kiesler announced the probability of a new bank coming to town whereby a new building would be erected on this site. A new fireproof two-story red brick building was erected and completed in September 1905 upgrading the appearance of the west side of the square. The building was fitted with steam heating and water works. The floor had tiles, much like those found inside the courthouse. A fine granitoid sidewalk was laid in front of the building. The right side of the building became home to the newly organized Perry County Bank. The new bank had two cashier cages with marble tops. The upstairs had two rooms: one occupied by Dr. W. H. Hatcher, and the other by Charles A. Killian, Attorney-at-Law. In 1925, mismanagement and embezzlement charges led to the demise of the Perry County Bank. The building was sold to George and Lon J. Mecker who opened Mecker's Saloon in the space once occupied by the bank. George Mecker sold the saloon to Louis Schnurbusch and John "Socks" Prevallet in 1935. The name changed to City Tavern. Besides their bar business, the tavern sold kegs, half barrels, and full barrels of beer. In 1939, Lawrence Duvall bought the building as an investment, maintaining the same tenants. Other City Tavern owners throughout the years were Art Berkbuegler and Oscar Schwent, Olive "Mitch" Michaud and Lonnie Newell, Alexander "Turtle" Nuyt, and Bob Boxdorfer and Terry Flentge. Gary Welch is the current proprietor of City Tavern, and owner of the building. , Barber shops have consistently occupied the south side of the Kiesler Building since its inception in 1905. Some early barbers were Luckey and Bronnenkant Barbers, Ed Young's Barber Shop, Red Hayden's Barber Shop, Red and Tom's Barber Shop, and Hayden's Barber Shop. In the 1930's and 1940's, farmers came to town and visited the barber shop. Many of them had no running water at home, and here, for a nickel or dime, they could use the basement shower, then come upstairs afterward for a haircut and shave. In 1985 when Hayden's Barber Shop closed, Leroy "Willie" Elder and his brother George moved Elder's Barber Shop to this location. In 2002, Wade Elder bought the business and continues to operate Elder's Barber Shop. The Kiesler name once proudly adorned the cornice above the building, but after the bank's failure and new owners, it is believed the name was removed. In 2023, the building turned 118 years old! ,