TERRE HAUTE —
With the coming revival of Champagne Velvet Beer, I became curious about the part this ancient brew called beer played in Terre Haute history. Here are just a few tidbits to whet your appetite.
By the time Prohibition became law in 1918, Terre Haute had seen 30 breweries open and close. George Hager opened Terre Haute’s first brewery in 1835 at Outlet 23 on Water and Sheets streets near the river. It was destroyed by fire in 1836.
Chauncey Warren and Demas Deming Sr. started the Terre Haute Brewing Company in 1837 at 8th and Poplar streets. It produced about 2,500 barrels of beer a year. Earnest Bleemel used this site for his brewery until Matthias Mogger bought the business in 1848. Anton Mayer and Andrew Kaufman then bought the brewery from Mogger in 1868.
With the death of Kaufman in 1869, Anton Mayer became the sole owner. Under his leadership the brewery was improved and enlarged and by 1889 was producing 25,000 barrels of beer a year. Mayer retired in 1889 and sold the business to Crawford Fairbanks, John Beggs, and Deming. Mogger’s Brewery was merged into the Terre Haute Brewing Company. At this time it occupied two blocks at 9th and Poplar streets and produced 30,000 barrels of beer annually. By the turn of the century it was the seventh largest brewery in the U.S.
Parts of the Terre Haute Brewing Company complex still remain, though the names have changed. There’s the E. Bleemel Flour & Feed Building at 904 Poplar St., Mogger’s Pub/Restaurant at 908 Poplar St., Terre Haute Brewing Company building at 920 Poplar St. (now Evan & Ryan’s Electrical Contractors) and the stables, (now Stables Steakhouse) at 939 Poplar St.
At one time Terre Haute could also lay claim to not one, but two, of the largest distilleries in the world, the six-story Majestic Distillery, (60,000 gallons a day), and the Commercial Distilling Company at Prairieton Avenue and Demorest Street.
Money from breweries funded all aspects of life here, good and bad. Saloons without closing hours and sporting houses helped give rise to Terre Haute’s other name, “Sin City.” Beer also was the basis for other businesses. The greater part of the product of our glass factories was beer bottles.
And there’s so much more to tell but space does not permit it. Items from the Terre Haute Brewing Company can be found in a display case in the Historical Society’s lower level. Come check out a part of Terre Haute’s colorful past.
History
HISTORICAL TREASURE: A city awash in beer
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Comic opera, a genre consisting of light hearted musicals, was introduced in Europe during the 17th century.
In the 19th century, several female vocalists from the Wabash Valley, earned national celebrity by using that art form to excel. -
Looking back: In 2003, Storm rips off half of Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof
A Saturday morning storm ripped off half of the Honey Creek Fire Department’s roof and caused heavy damage in Allendale. Wind gusts topping 60 miles an hour brought down power lines and trees throughout the county. Hail almost an inch thick and 1.5 inches of rain fell in less than an hour.
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Abundance of shoe stores existed downtown
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Genalogy: Handwriting in 1700s-1800s Copperplate or English Round Hand
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The death of Irish Kate Preston
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Looking back: 2003: Sherertz sets nine-hole school record
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Historical perspectives: Railroads were models of innovation and growth in Haute
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‘Foreign’ letters to confuse a genealogist
Any serious family researcher will at some time or another encounter old documents in an older handwriting style that need to be read and deciphered.
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1988: 700 teachers unite in protest
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Genealogy: Vigo County Gold Star Honor Roll
FamilySearch International recently announced “the release of significant new enhancements to its web services that allow visitors to collaboratively build their family tree online, preserve and share precious family photos and stories, and receive personal research assistance–all for free.”
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‘Far-sound’ rings in a new era
This week’s Historic Treasure is an invention that changed life, as we know it in a great way, the telephone.
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Historical perspective: Venard: soldier in the War of 1812
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Looking Back: 2003: Mark Cook brings blues home
Mark Cook returned to Terre Haute to play with fellow musicians in the Cook-N-Blues group at Brazil and Terre Haute.
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Historical perspective: Attempted carriage-jacking thwarted
Nineteenth century newspapers covered several topics that might astonish current readers. For example, the front page of the Terre Haute Weekly Gazette on Nov. 16, 1878 – 135 years ago – reported on the bold attempt by four “villains” to rob two women riding in a carriage immediately west of the fairgrounds at Brown and Wabash avenues:
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Genealogy: Dutchman seeks family of missing soldier
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Sewing Society keeps hospital in linen, supplies
When Tracy Pruitt came across a small box of old ledgers and receipt books recently, his first impulse was to throw it away. But he decided to sit down and examine its contents. In doing so, he discovered a story.
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Looking Back: 1963: Officials prepare for disaster
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Genealogy: Gold Star Honor Roll: Vigo County
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River boat models capture glory of former culture
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Historical perspective: Babe Holland: advocate for equality
Wherever Terre Haute native William Sylvester Holland roamed, he made an impact.
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Historical Perspective: Terre Haute’s architectural heritage
Much more than is commonly recognized, Terre Haute has a rich and diverse legacy of landscapes designed by some of the nation’s most talented architects.
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Genealogy: A search for names from broken stones
This week there is a query about an old cemetery in Parke County, that is believed to have been destroyed:
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Hidden treasures: Laborers phased out by machines
Today’s historical treasure will intone to many people an early experience of practical labor. For others, this artifact might lack a contextual notion.
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Looking back: 2003: Two men rob Terre Haute First National Bank
Two men robbed Terre Haute First National Bank’s banking center at Southland Plaza, South Seventh Street and Margaret Avenue. It was the first bank robbery in Terre Haute since November 2000.
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Interurban makes city Crossroads of America
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The tale of the Wabash River
On March 14, 1913, the Indiana General Assembly adopted “On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away,” by Terre Haute native Paul Dresser, as Indiana’s state song.
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Five book bundle for genealogists
Family Chronicle is again offering a special book bundle that is back by popular demand.
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1988: More than 1,000 kids hunt for eggs
More than 1,000 children participated in the 55th Easter Egg Hunt at Deming Park sponsored by American Legion Fort Harrison Post No. 40. It was one of the state’s largest Easter Egg hunts.
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Genealogy: 35 Clay County soldiers fell in WWI
This week is a continuation of tabulating the men and women from the Indiana side of the Wabash Valley who gave their lives in World War I–the so-called Gold Star Honor Roll.
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Historical treasure: Buggies needed a license, too
While visiting the Vigo County Historical Museum’s exhibit, “The River, the Road, and the Rails,” I was surprised to see a City of Terre Haute Vehicle License issued on Feb. 15, 1899. I hadn’t thought about vehicle licenses being issued at that time.
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