©2008 Historic Downtown Association-St. Charles

1864, Ludwig Meyer
Meyer's Jewelry, 1834-1966

Ludwig Meyer immigrated through New Orleans to St. Charles in 1834 from Brunsloh, Kingdom of Hanover, Germany. Skilled as a Watchmaker, he established Meyer Jewelry at Main and Madison Street upon his arrival. He became naturalized citizen in 1838 and the same year bought this lot, with a frame house, from Jesse Morrison. In 1864, Meyer built this building with living quarters for his wife and two children on the upper floors. Originally a three story building, the top floor was damaged beyond repair in the tornado of 1876 and never rebuilt. Over 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed and four citizens were killed by the storm as "it moved through our devoted city".

Meyer's jewelry business passed on to his heirs and continued in business here until 1966. During all those years, a clock Meyer had made in Germany and brought with him aboard ship, hung on the shop wall and ticked off perfect time.

Originally a three story building, the top floor was damaged beyond repair in the tornado of 1876. At 1:30 in the afternoon, Sunday, February 27, "The terrible cloud column worked its way toward the city....Deliberately, but erratically, it moved through our devoted city, death in its roar and destruction in its touch." St. Charles Cosmos Monitor - Special Edition. Four persons were killed and over 150 buildings were damaged or destroyed.