Old Munichburg: Through a Lens of the Past
History can be discovered through many channels, but the objects left behind let us see through the eyes of the past. Throughout the 19th century, millions of Germans migrated to America, especially concentrating in Missouri. While searching through the State Historical Society of Missouri’s archives, I found several objects of interest that highlight Missouri’s history. This essay will examine a photo from Cole County that can provide a window into Missouri’s German heritage.
The above photo was taken by Harris B. Dickey, and can be found in the SHSMO archives. It captures a view of Jefferson City’s downtown area from the top of the Capitol’s dome, with the Missouri River behind. In the bottom left, you can see Missouri’s Supreme Court building. In the middle, as well as farther out to the right, you can see dozens of buildings in an area known as Old Munichburg. Many building here were made with red brick, a German style at the time. On the right, you’ll see the Central German Evangelical Church, with a wide gray steeple. Establishing churches like this was a central goal for the new German community when they established Old Munichburg. Today, this church still stands in downtown Jeff City, as shown below.
Cole County was rich with politically “progressive” German migrants, who established their community through this church and other community projects. One contributor was Fred H. Binder, an architect/builder, mayor/councilman, and and overall community leader. Not only did he lead the project to build the Central Evangelical Church, but he was also the president for awhile after. He took an idea from Germany, to create a building and loan association that helped the community find more affordable access to housing. Binder was but one of the many German’s who came to Cole County to build a strong community, and better future.
Harris Dickey, the man who scaled the Capitol, was born in Montgomery City, Missouri around 1903. His wife, Vera, helped him operate a film craft photo service in Jefferson City from 1935 to 1960. If you hadn’t noticed, this photo of Jeff City was apparently taken before Harris was born. The SHSMO database attributes the photo to Harris, as well as that it was taken in 1891. More information on his ancestry can be found here. There also isn’t any further ancestral data on who his parents were, or another Harris B. Dickey, but he definitely took some of the other photos in his collection. The collection was named after him, most of the pictures were taken during the time his photography studio was running, and also features the two locations we know he lived in. I think this particular photograph must have been handed down by a parent or older friend, and kept with his collection for some reason related to his experiences in Jefferson City. Something we know for sure, though, is how he passed down the photography trade. The Dickeys had one son, named after his father, and born in 1927. Harris Jr. worked in many different careers, but also attended photography school and did projects on the side. I believe he continued the legacy by creating the Harris Family collection of photographs found on SHSMO, because its photos were taken well after the original collection from his father.
There were a lot of things happening in Missouri around the time this picture was taken, with a focus on industrializing after the Civil War. By 1891, a lot of the migration to Missouri, especially from Germany, was already over. St. Louis and Jefferson City were starting to emerge as relevant cities nationally. In 1891, one of America’s first skyscrapers was designed in St. Louis. In 1899, the State Historical Society was established in Columbia, to begin its mission to collect history. By 1904, St. Louis hosted their first World’s Fair, drawing in awe from across the globe. The official Missouri Supreme Court building shown in the photo was rebuilt nearby 27 years after its creation. Soon after, an official Federal Post Office was established right in this area as well. More about Missouri’s historical can be found here. The timing of this photograph captured the core of Jefferson City right before a new period of development emerged.
The Germans weren’t just surviving in Missouri after their arrival, they were establishing their culture and developing it in a new landscape. Right outside the official Capitol of Missouri, these immigrants built a residential district that resembled their hometown. They originally called this area “Old Münchburg,” but too many Americans mispronouncing it led to “Old Munichburg” sticking as the title. In 2004, Münchburg actually became the official sister city for Jefferson City. By the end of the 19th century, right after this photo’s creation, the Old Munichburg area had become a self-sustaining community. They had schools, churches, and stores, built by Germans. In order to preserve cultural practices, use of their language, and just the overall community, having buildings specifically built by and for Germans was essential. Even during the Civil War, there was a fortification established right on top of Old Munichburg, due to the Germans being pro-Union. The Old Munichburg Association keeps more records of its history here. Examining the geographic area of a German community at as local a level as this helps explain why they were a part of historical events, and how they influenced the surrounding area.
I actually visited the downtown area of Jefferson City recently, on the way home from a camping trip. There are still tons of red brick buildings in the area, and Old Munichburg is labeled with signs. I didn’t manage to find any specific German buildings that used to be in this community, but I stopped for ice cream at Central Dairy, which used to have a German club right across the street from it.
There are many ways to understand and study history, but photographs specifically allow us to look through the eyes of those in the past. This photo of Jefferson City in 1891 captures the southeast area, known for its German businesses and population. Later photos can show how this community evolves, declines, or even infuses with the rest of the city throughout time. However, no one can capture the same moment in history Dickey did.
