Hurkamp Park (Fredericksburg, Virginia)

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Farmer's market

John G. Hurkamp(1818—April 1886)
John Hurkamp immigrated from the German kingdom of Hanover to Fredericksburg in 1843 at the age of 25. He was a highly skilled leather worker (currier) whose related pursuits included tanning and manufacturing.

His house at 406 Hanover Street was used as a headquarters by Federal Major General John Sedgwick. Late in the fighting, Hurkamp was one of 55 local people taken prisoner and sent to Fort Delaware Prison although he was able to secure a quick release due to his friendship with Sedgwick.

Hurkamp's creativity and business acumen led to a Centennial Medal in Philadelphia in 1876 and a Paris Exposition Medal in 1878 for a tanning agent he developed using local sumac. Previously, sumac for tanning had all been imported to the United States from the Mediterranean.

He served on City Council and chaired a post-Civil War committee on public improvements, which included developing the water supply system that was used by the City until World War II and converting a long abandoned cemetery at William and Prince Edward streets into a city park. He provided part of the financing, and it was named in his honor.

Mr. Hurkamp is buried in the Fredericksburg City Cemetery.