Carluccis Pizzaria (Mishawaka, Indiana)

USA / Indiana / Mishawaka / Mishawaka, Indiana
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Former home of Kamm Brewery. Now Holds many shops.

History:
The original brewery was built in 1853 by John Wagner who made a "fine grade of corn whiskey" which sold for 25 cents per gallon. In 1870 the brewery was purchased by a German immigrant, Adolph Kamm.

A dam to harness the water power from the St. Joseph River was constructed in 1873 from the mainland to the island directly to the rear of the brewery. In addition to brewing beer, ice was made and used in preserving the beer. The brewery prospered with the latest machinery and plant improvements producing a superior quality of beer.

In 1880 Adolph Kamm's brother-in-law, Nicholas Schellinger joined the company which became the Kamm and Schellinger Brewing Company. Extensive improvements and additions were made to the brewery as the original wood frame buildings acquired brick fronts. The brewery workers themselves built the ice house, ice storage and malt and yeast rooms. Also constructed was a large vault deep below the surface of the ground and under the brewery. In this vault charcoal was made which was used in the brewing process to filter the beer. As the beer was made it was stored and kept cool in wooden kegs.

The workers lived in the brewery and were served meals at the Kamm home on Lincolnway by Mrs. Kamm.

The brewery had become one of the largest commerical enterprises of the area when prohibition stopped the production of beer. The brewery soon converted the distillation processes into producing various soft drinks and distilled water.

In 1927, the Schellinger family withdrew from the company and Adolph Kamm along with members of his family continued the operation.

In 1933, with the repeal of prohibition the firm was the first in Indiana to have beer on the market and the brewery continued to prosper.

In 1950 a serious fire swept through the building and the brewery was closed in 1951. The various buildings which comprise the brewery complex were used periodically for warehousing.

Several years ago, however, a group of local businessmen, seeing the potential of once again returning the brewery to productive use, set out to convert the complex into a family oriented shopping, dining and entertainment center. That effort to bring the brewery back to life continues today.

As a result of this $5 million development the brick and masonry buildings representing an era of 150 years past are being preserved and enhanced to become part of the living fabric of the community. the multi levels inside the brewery have been redesigned and renovated to provide the setting for a wide assortment of unusual specialty shops, restaurants, art galleries, movie theaters, professional offices, apartments, and convenience shops make the 100 center a place to live as well as to play.
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Coordinates:   41°39'43"N   86°11'19"W
This article was last modified 7 years ago