Our Story
1980 Sembach Germany.
Bob & Michelle meet for the 1st time at the Otterberg Gasthaus.
She at the time is working for Mercedes in Stuttgart and Bob at the Sembach Class VI store.
Almost 30 years later we're living as our 1st meeting was.
Welcome to our home and the Kimmswick Gasthaus.
"Gemulichkeit" We're glad you're here.
History
Built in 1895, the basic outlines of the Gasthaus are original but there have been some changes, additions and renovations throughout the years.
The original staircase to the second floor ascended from the front parlor. The first addition came in the 1900-1920 time period. The kitchen and second floor bedroom addition brought an enlarged basement which is where the first indoor bathroom was located. There are remnants of the plumbing for a water closet and shower in the south end of the basement. This would not appear to be a very convenient location for a bathroom but better than dashing outside to the privy in bad weather! The water for the bath and the new kitchen pump was supplied by the newly constructed cistern. Ahh, life was good.
The rear section of the kitchen is fairly recent addition. In 1986, the original back door exited where the rear bank of kitchen windows are now. The lot originally sloped more precipitously to the creek which allowed rising waters to flood the basement. Periodic flooding and an unstable soil foundation caused the rear foundation to sink. The foundation was repaired with concrete block walls in place today. The present-day back yard has been raised to its present level with the addition of fill and construction of earthen levee. The kitchen and basement walk-out were reconfigured and the deck replaced an old porch.
The remodeling effort that brought the house into the 20th Century came after the house was purchased by Mrs. Lucianna Gladney Ross. Through her efforts the house was brought back from near doom. The “Flood of the Century” in 1993 brought the most recent restoration. The waters of the creek backed up with the flooding of the Mississippi River and at its crest, stood just below the windowsills on the main floor. After the clean-up, some sheet-rock, plumbing, wiring and woodwork had to be replaced.
If you look at the door moldings as you go from room to room, you can see the differences in the rosettes. The square bulls-eye rosettes are the replacements. There are five chimney openings throughout the house for woodstoves but for fire safety we have chosen not to put them to use. There is even a chimney opening in the basement. We suspect this was the location of an early “summer kitchen”. It was common to find detached kitchens in homes of this era because of the fire danger they posed. Once painted a decorous gray with blue trim, the “Lady” is now known affectionately to many as the “Pumpkin House” because of the distinctive color selected.
A flouring mill originally stood at the east edge of this property and was operated by Peter Bruhn and George Anderson from 1864 until 1875. Very little evidence of this structure (or the small cottage that existed just west of it) is visible today as it stood where the Windsor Harbor Bridge crosses Rock Creek. The entire property was purchased by Charles L. Gerard, who also owned the lumber yard across the street. In 1895, he and his wife Emily constructed the house at 102 Mill Street and operated both businesses until his death in 1925. He is buried in the Kimmswick Cemetery which is just west of Hwy. 61-67 at the end of Hwy. K.
The next year the Gerard Milling Company deeded the house to Emily Gerard and the businesses were sold. Emily kept the house until 1929. Although Emily remained in Kimmswick until her death, we do not know her final resting place as she is not buried with Charles.
The lumber company became Jefferson County Lumber, and the milling company became Joggerst Milling. Both businesses are still in operation at the intersection of Highway 61-67 and Imperial Main. One of Charles and Emily’s sons was Armand. Armand then had three sons; the youngest was Leroy. Leroy was married to one of our local shop-keepers, Virginia Joggerst (Pattington Station).
Emily Gerard sold the house to Charles F. Rebmann in 1929. Charles’ wife sold to the Harmons. The Harmons owned the house until it was sold to George and Florence Grimshaw in 1950. Georgia Crow was the second eldest daughter of George and Florence. She relates that when they moved in, the existing plumbing in the basement was not in working order and an outhouse was in use. When the Mississippi flooded in those early days and put the outhouse under water, her mother
made temporary facilities in a shed that then stood where you see the present garage. The nest indoor bathroom facility was created from a butler’s pantry conversion in the 1950s. Mr. and Mrs. Grimshaw resided in this house with 12 children, their Aunt and Grandmother. Their descendants are still residents of this area.
In 2008, Bob and Michelle Shea purchased the house and made several renovations. The house now features a wine room, beer garden and two guest rooms.