Hoham-Klinghammer-Weckerle House and Brewery Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Hoham-Klinghammer-Weckerle House and Brewery Site
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Front of the house
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 Location in Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1715 Lake Ave, Plymouth, Indiana |
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| Built | c. 1880 |
| Architectural style | Stick and Queen Anne |
| NRHP reference No. | 12000338 |
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 2012 |
The Hoham-Klinghammer-Weckerle House and Brewery Site is a special place in Plymouth, Marshall County, Indiana. It is connected to three German families: the Hoham, Klinghammer, and Weckerle families. These families moved to the area between 1844 and 1865 and were all related by marriage.
From 1857 to 1888, these families started and ran the Plymouth Brewery. Many buildings were once part of the brewery site. Today, only one building remains: a house built in the Stick and Queen Anne styles.
We do not know the exact year the house was built or who built it. However, construction likely began before 1882, probably by the Klinghammer family. This house is mostly made of brick and has two full floors, plus a half-story at the top. It also has a basement that is partly visible, making the house seem taller. About 50 feet west of the house, there are two brick vaults buried underground. These vaults were an important part of the original brewery building.
Contents
History of the Brewery Site
Starting the Plymouth Brewery
John Hoham was born in Strasburg, Germany, on June 17, 1820. He came to the United States in 1840. In 1844, he settled in Marshall County, near a lake called Maxinkuckee.
In 1857, John Hoham and John Klinghammer bought three acres of land for $75. This land was about a mile southwest of Plymouth at that time. On this property, they built the very first brewery in Marshall County.
The Brewery Buildings
John Hoham and John Klinghammer built the large brick vaults that you can still find on the property. People believe that big vats inside one of these vaults were used to ferment the beer. This is the process that makes beer.
In 1867, John Hoham sold his share of the brewery to John Klinghammer. Official papers from that time called the land "brewery property."
The House and Its Age
A special map from around 1882 shows plans for new train tracks. One of these planned routes passed by the south side of the brewery property. On this map, the property is labeled "brewery." It also shows six buildings drawn on the land. One of these buildings, located along the east edge, looks similar to the house that stands there today.
Because of this map, we think the house was probably built around 1880. It was definitely built before 1887.
The End of the Brewery
By 1889, reports said that the "Old Plymouth Brewery" had not been used for about a year. In the 1890s, the brewery building was used to store eggs. Later, while someone named Beldon was using it for storage, the main brewery building was destroyed by a fire.
The House in Later Years
The house became well-known during the Prohibition Era. This was a time in the United States when making and selling alcohol was against the law. In 1923, the house was bought to be used as a "roadhouse," which was a place for people to gather. By 1928, this business, known as the Pine Tree Inn, faced problems and was closed for a year. It is not clear if it ever fully reopened as a regular business after that.
