Springfield Then & Now: Ihrig and Sons

The Ihrig family came to America from Germany in 1854, eventually settling in Springfield in the 1860s. In the 1880s the family ran several stores in town, including the one here at the corner of West Main and Sigler Street, opened by Peter J. Ihrig. The store specialized in “staple and fancy groceries, provisions, notions”, and harnesses. Shown standing in the center around 1890 are, from left to right, John Booser, John F. Walter, Peter Ihrig and Romaldus Schmidt (Smith). By the early 1900s all of the local Ihrigs worked for John I. Ihrig and Sons, which was located until the early 1970s across the street from this original store on West Main.

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

The Ihrig family came to America from Germany in 1854, eventually settling in Springfield in the 1860s. In the 1880s the family ran several stores in town, including the one here at the corner of West Main and Sigler Street, opened by Peter J. Ihrig. The store specialized in “staple and fancy groceries, provisions, notions”, and harnesses. Shown standing in the center around 1890 are, from left to right, John Booser, John F. Walter, Peter Ihrig and Romaldus Schmidt (Smith). By the early 1900s all of the local Ihrigs worked for John I. Ihrig and Sons, which was located until the early 1970s across the street from this original store on West Main.
Lifestyles
By Michael Tyler
Jan 18, 2017
X

The Ihrig family came to America from Germany in 1854, eventually settling in Springfield in the 1860s. In the 1880s the family ran several stores in town, including the one here at the corner of West Main and Sigler Street, opened by Peter J. Ihrig.

The store specialized in fancy groceries, provisions, notions, and harnesses. Shown standing in the center around 1890 are, from left to right, John Booser, John F. Walter, Peter Ihrig and Romaldus Schmidt (Smith).

>>THEN AND NOW: Downtown Springfield

>>THEN AND NOW: Fountain Avenue

By the early 1900s all of the local Ihrigs worked for John I. Ihrig and Sons, which was located until the early 1970s across the street from this original store on West Main.

Today, while the business is long gone, the original building is still standing and looks almost the same.

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About the Author

Michael Tyler