Central Township in Perryville in Perry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kiesler Building

Photographed by Thomas Smith, July 19, 2025

1. Kiesler Building Marker

Inscription. 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

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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

Photographed by Thomas Smith, July 19, 2025

2. Kiesler Building Marker

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!

Erected 2023 by Perry County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.

Location. 37° 43.536′ N, 89° 51.829′ W. Marker is in Perryville, Missouri, in Perry County. It is in Central Township. It is at the intersection of North Jackson Street and W. St. Marie Street, on the right when traveling south on North Jackson Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24 N Jackson Street, Perryville MO 63775, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Missouri. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally,

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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,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Phillips Building (a few steps from this marker); Mercier Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Morton Building (within shouting distance of this marker); El Camino Real (within shouting distance of this marker); Capt. Raymond Littge (within shouting distance of this marker); Herbst Building (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of those who served in the Military Forces of America (within shouting distance of this marker); Great American Eclipse of 2017 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perryville.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 19, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. This page has been viewed 125 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 24, 2025, by Thomas Smith of Waterloo, Ill. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.