Last existing Schurmeier Building
The building pictured above is the last existing Schurmeier manufacturing building located in St. Paul, MN It was converted at first into the Schurmeier Lofts, a condominium structure. That developer failed, and the new developer, while still calling it the Schurmeier Lofts, converted it into luxury appartments. The developer honored the history of the building by having the "Schurmeier Wagon Company" painted along the top of the building. He also had a stone carved with the Schurmeier name that is located above the entrance door.
John H Schurmeier
John Schurmeier, with his family, moved from St. Louis, Missouri to Minnesota in around 1840. He started the J. H. Schurmeier Wagon Company shortly there after. Schurmeier wagons and carriages were sold nationwide and were considered a top producer of quality products. Schurmeier's products were also supplied for the Civil War. Once motor vehicles were introduced into the market, the company evolved with the industry and started to make custom truck bodies. At this point, the companies name changed to the Schurmeier Whitney Company.
Celebrating 75 years in business
A book was published celebrating the 75th Year of the Schurmeier Whitney Company. I have include some additional pictures of Schurmeier wagons and truck bodies.
Schurmeier Catalog
Schurmeier Mansion
The Schurmeier mansion was located in the Crocus Hill neighborhood of St. Paul, MN. It was featured on the cover of "Once There Were Castles." by Larry Millet..
The Black Maria
The Black Maria
The Black Maria was a paddy wagon built by the Schurmeier Wagon Company. It is one of the only known survivor to exist. It is located at a St. Paul Police station that has a small museum on display, to include the Black Maria. It is located on Hamline avenue between Interstate 94 and University avenue.
Internet Article that lead to my 1928 Schurmeier Whitney Truck
After months researching the Schurmeier Wagon Company, I found this article on the internet. I saw the picture of my now truck and as I read the article, realized that it was located in Stillwater, Mn, a suburb of the Twin Cities. It listed the name of the owner, Rex Perry, who saved it from a barn collapsing on it up in Forest Lake, MN. Rex brought it home and kept in his garage for safe keeping. I googled Rex and found his phone number and soon connected with him. Rex was excited to meet the Great Great Grand son of John Schurmeier and was happy to sell it to me as he knew I would restore it to it's original state. Rex and I are great friends to this day and it was Rex that introduced me to the Twin Cities Model A group.
Schurmeier Advertisements
The first two pics is an original two page advertisement that I purchased from Roger Anderson a fellow Twin City Model A group member. I scored the metal sign out of Ohio on ebay. The tan binder was also scored on ebay.
Schurmeier Realty Company
While Schurmeier was well known throughout the Nation for it's wagons, carts, and truck bodies, they also had a realty company and built many of the neighborhoods in the St. Paul, MN area. At one time Schurmeier owned one third of the land in what is now Downtown St. Paul, MN.
Tragedy struck at the Schurmeier Lodge
In 1890, a tornado struck the Schurmeier Lodge at Lake Gervias.
Six people died from this tragedy, John's wife Caroline, John's son Charlie, John's brother-in-law George Miller and their Chauffeur. Unsure of the other two victims.
John dedicated a cut glass window of John Wesley the founder of the Methodist church in memory of Caroline. This window has been moved three times due to expansion of downtown St. Paul. It now resides at Fairmount United Methodist Church in St. Paul. It is the only known window in the country of John Wesley.
The picture of the tornado is actually an oil painting that to this day is displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Six people died from this tragedy, John's wife Caroline, John's son Charlie, John's brother-in-law George Miller and their Chauffeur. Unsure of the other two victims.
John dedicated a cut glass window of John Wesley the founder of the Methodist church in memory of Caroline. This window has been moved three times due to expansion of downtown St. Paul. It now resides at Fairmount United Methodist Church in St. Paul. It is the only known window in the country of John Wesley.
The picture of the tornado is actually an oil painting that to this day is displayed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
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