213 South Minnesota Street
New Ulm, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Melges Bakery

Statement of Significance:

Nineteenth century commercial buildings in the active southcentral Minnesota city of New Ulm have with rare exception lost their characteristics during two decades of urban re-development. One of the exceptions is the Melges Bakery Building at the edge of the business district. It is the last remaining 1800 structure on Minnesota Street retaining its integrity.

Prior to the Sioux War of 1862 most buildings in New Ulm were of frame construction. After two battles fought within the streets of the young community only a three-block area remained. Henry Spoerhase and John Spenner in 1865 erected on south 63, lot 11, ' now 213 Minnesota Street to be used as a sausage and meat market. A few months after opening in December of (1965 they sold to Francis Erd and the market was renamed the "Chicago Meat Market". It survived less than a year for before the end of 1866 the property was sold to Frederick G. Melges.

Melges converted the use to a bakery, ejected an addition to house his oven and baking equipment in 1871 and operated the business until 1891. The property remained in the family until 1919. His son Julius continued the business until 1894. William Eibner and Isadora Hainan operated the bakery from 1894 to 1903 and F.G. Heinze until it closed in 1919.

It was used as a residence by the August Pufahl family for 51 years and has been vacant for several years.

The Brown County Historical Society following restoration and stabilization of the building is developing plans to restore the nineteenth century bakery operation of the Melges family. Period bakery items would be produced on occasion by the society and other organizations in the community.