Tucked away in the hills of east-central Missouri, Hermann is a small town with a unique European charm.
By George Moore, F460576
April 2023
Willkommen Zu Hermann” — Welcome to Hermann — is the greeting you receive at the Hermann, Missouri, Visitor Information Center in the Amtrak Station. A little off the beaten path, Hermann lies about an hour west of St. Louis and 15 miles south of Interstate 70 (exit 175) on the south bank of the Missouri River.
Hermann, Missouri’s Little Germany, is a picturesque village with a population of just over 2,000, a place where 19th-century brick buildings hug the sidewalk in the manner of those in German villages of the late 1800s. Much of the downtown area has been designated a National Historic District, with numerous buildings contributing to that status and several on the National Register of Historic Places. It is the old-world charm, history, wine, and festivals that attract visitors to Hermann today.
A tour of Stone Hill Winery includes a visit to the limestone cellars.
Let’s begin with a little history. In 1837, German settlers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, were unhappy with the way Germans were being assimilated into American culture. They dreamed of a new city that would be more like their home country. To realize their dream, they formed the German Settlement Society of Philadelphia and purchased 11,000 steep and hilly acres along the Missouri River. This area reminded them of Germany, so they founded the city of Hermann.
Having been established by German Americans in an area that called to mind their native land, it was only natural for them to plant grapes and produce wine. With 12 wineries in and around the city today, Hermann is located in one of Missouri’s premier wine regions. Wine lovers will find many award-winning varieties to sample at the different wineries and tasting rooms.
The city’s oldest, most famous, and most awarded winery is Stone Hill Winery. Founded in 1847, Stone Hill soon ranked as the second-largest wine producer in the United States. Unfortunately, Prohibition forced the winery to cease production. Having the largest series of arched underground limestone cellars in the country, the winery did what came naturally and grew mushrooms. When Prohibition ended, the winery resumed production. Led by its flagship Norton variety, Stone Hill Winery retained its position as Missouri’s most-awarded winery. In addition to stopping by the tasting room and gift shop, visitors can take part in daily guided tours of the cellars.
Another of the award-winning producers in and around Hermann is the Adam Puchta Winery. This is the oldest continuously family-owned winery in the United States. Founded in 1855, it is under the leadership of the sixth and seventh generations of the Puchta family. Of the 75,000 gallons of wine produced there each year, the most popular is Adam’s Choice (a semisweet white similar to a German Riesling). The winery is open seven days a week except on Christmas Eve and Day, New Year’s Eve and Day, Easter Sunday, and Thanksgiving.
Any readers who have visited or lived in Germany know festivals are an important part of German culture. With multiple festivals throughout the year, Hermann has remained true to its German heritage. Kicking things off is Wurstfest, which is held during the fourth weekend of March. With German music, folk dancers, and Missouri’s leading wurst and sausage makers, the Wurstfest is a great start to spring.
The old city hall/police and fire station in the Hermann historic district was built in 1906.
Shortly thereafter is the Hermann Antique Show, which will take place this year on Saturday, April 15. Vis-itors can go to the Historic Festhalle, located at the Inn at Hermannhof, to chat with antique dealers and see their early-country wares.
As the weather warms, the next month brings Maifest, scheduled for May 19 and 20, 2023. This festival is a celebration of spring and Hermann’s German heritage. A maypole, carnival, parades, music, food, and drink are all part of this annual event. While you’re there, consider visiting the Volksplatz marketplace and beer gardens.
The Hermann Garden Tours, June 3 to 4, 2023, will invite visitors to walk through private gardens to admire early-summer flowers, vegetables, herbs, and other plants grown by local residents. The Garden Club conducts tours of public town gardens as well.
Later in the year, on August 19, 2023, is the Hermann Wine and Jazz Festival, an annual charity event held at the Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheater, a few blocks from the Amtrak Station. The city’s tourism department works in conjunction with the Hermann Music Boosters to produce the festival. Besides live music, activities include an amateur barbecue competition, whiskey samplings from local distilleries, craft demonstrations, and cigar smoking.
The largest of the annual festivals is — you guessed it — Oktoberfest. This month-long celebration will run from September 30 through October 31, 2023. With its beer garden, local wines, German food, and music, Oktoberfest attracts visitors from across Missouri and the United States. The beautiful fall colors are a bonus to the festive atmosphere.
With all of my comments about food and beer, it’s time for a couple of examples. One must-visit location is the Hermann Wurst Haus, a deli-style market and restaurant. You will find more than 62 varieties of award-winning bratwurst, German sausage, and house-smoked bacon.
The Gasconade County Courthouse, set along the Missouri River, was dedicated in 1898.
Beer lovers will want to visit the Tin Mill Brewery, which upholds the “Reinheitsgebot,” a series of German brewing purity laws dating back to 1516. In keeping with them, the brewery doesn’t use any corn or rice in the brewing, only barley grown and malted in Germany. Even the copper kettles are imported from Germany. It also has a rustic beer garden and serves typical pub food, including a variety of wurst.
In addition to having a National Historic District, Hermann is home to several museums. Among them is the Deutschheim State Historic Site, which preserves restored mid-1800s buildings; the Gasconade County Courthouse, the only courthouse in the United States built with private funds; the Historic Hermann Museum at the Old German School, with a tower clock that has been running continuously since 1890; and the White House Hotel, which has been restored to its original splendor and includes a speakeasy.
Six distilleries are among other places of interest in the area. Visitors also can walk or bike along the Hermann section of the Katy Trail, which follows the north bank of the Missouri River and leads into the city park. There you will find a swimming pool, as well as pickleball and tennis courts, next to the city RV park.
Whether visitors are looking for outdoor adventure or history, or would like to spend time sipping and savoring the town’s German heritage, they should feel welcomed in Hermann, Missouri.
Further Info
Hermann Visitor Information Center
Hermann Amtrak Station
301 Wharf St.
Hermann, MO 65041
www.visithermann.com
(573) 789-0771
Campgrounds
Hermann City RV Park & Campgrounds
118 W. 13th St.
Hermann, MO 65041
visithermann.com/listing/hermann-city-rv-park-campgrounds/
(573) 486-5400
Hickory Ridge Campground
99 Highway TT
Montgomery City, MO 63361
hickoryridgecampground.com
(573) 564-7993
Lazy Day Campground
214 Highway J
Danvillle, MO 63361
www.lazydaycampground.com
(573) 564-2949