Kiesler Building

In October 1899, John Baumann sold Lot 65 to Henry Kiesler for $3,000, and in December 1899 Henry sold part of the lot to his son, John H. Kiesler, for $300. A building on the property that housed a barber shop and saloon was razed in early 1905, and after John H. Kiesler announced the likelihood of a new bank in town, a new fireproof two-story red brick building was erected on the site and completed in September 1905, improving the west side of the square. It had steam heating, water works, tiled floors like those in the courthouse, and a granitoid sidewalk in front. The right side became the home of the newly organized Perry County Bank, with two cashier cages topped with marble, while the upstairs had two rooms occupied by Dr. W. H. Hatcher and attorney Charles A. Killian. In 1925, mismanagement and embezzlement charges brought about the bank's demise, and the building was sold to George and Lon J. Mecker, who opened Mecker's Saloon in the former bank space. In 1935, George Mecker sold the saloon to Louis Schnurbusch and John "Socks" Prevallet, and its name became City Tavern, which also sold kegs, half barrels, and full barrels of beer. In 1939, Lawrence Duvall bought the building as an investment and kept the same tenants. Later City Tavern owners included Art Berkbuegler and Oscar Schwent, Olive "Mitch" Michaud and Lonnie Newell, Alexander "Turtle" Nuyt, and Bob Boxdorfer and Terry Flentge; Gary Welch is the current proprietor of City Tavern and owner of the building. Since the building opened in 1905, barber shops have consistently occupied the south side, including Luckey and Bronnenkant Barbers, Ed Young's Barber Shop, Red Hayden's Barber Shop, Red and Tom's Barber Shop, and Hayden's Barber Shop. In the 1930's and 1940's, farmers coming to town often used the basement shower there for a nickel or dime before getting a haircut and shave upstairs. When Hayden's Barber Shop closed in 1985, Leroy "Willie" Elder and his brother George moved Elder's Barber Shop into the building, and in 2002 Wade Elder bought the business and continues to operate it. The Kiesler name once adorned the cornice above the building, but after the bank failed and new owners took over, it is believed the name was removed. In 2023, the building turned 118 years old.

Perryville, Missouri · United States