Every year since 1999, the Ferdinand Historical Society produces a Christmas ornament replicating a unique feature of the community. Our ornament for 2023 pays tribute to both an early innovator and the non-profit now occupying his former home.
The 900 block of West 9th Street includes some of Ferdinand’s stateliest homes, all built by members of the Müller (or Mueller or Muller) family. Peter Müller, Jr., was the first to erect his dream home in 1867 (although some accounts put the date at 1865) at 314 West 9th. Peter was also the first person in Ferdinand to own an automobile (more on this later).
This brick manse, featuring Georgian/Italianate architecture with corbelled brick pilasters and dentil cornices, now serves as the home of Traditional Arts Today, a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of traditional arts. Opening in 2018, the shop inside the former home sells the work of more than 100 artists, most of whom hail from southern Indiana. The creations include a wide range of hand-crafted items, including paintings, pottery, ceramics, fiber arts, woodworking, and much more. For those inspired to make their own creations, Traditional Arts Today offers a broad range of classes, including textiles, pottery, plants, food, and many others, espousing the philosophy that exploring creative talents improves well-being and quality of life through creating connections and a sense of belonging.
Peter Müller, Jr., born in 1839, was a native of Rascheid, Kreis Trier, Prussia. He came to this country with his parents and his father, Peter Sr., who purchased a horse-powered grist mill established by Michael Spath soon after the town of Ferdinand was founded in 1840. Peter Jr. continued his father’s business, using an existing burr mill, and in the early 1860s he partnered with Mathias Gerhard and Franz Quante to add a sawmill. In 1886 he built a red brick building with Italianate architectural details on the southeast corner of the 9th and Missouri intersection, catty-cornered from where he had built his home. This building housed his roller mill. Today that historic building is owned by Weyer Electric.
According to the business stationery, the company name in June of 1897 was Ferdinand City Roller Mills, with Peter Müller as proprietor. The brands of flour included Belle Queen, White Lilly, and Ferdinand Favorite. In March of 1898, the name changed to Peter Müller & Sons and was used until 1909. His sons, Frank, Edward, and Joseph, took over the business when Peter retired. He passed away on March 26, 1922. After his death the name of the business changed to Mueller Brothers, and the flour brands were White Lilly and Morning Glory. The Müller, Mueller, Muller brothers eventually sold the mill to the Wallace Milling Company, which went bankrupt. Brothers Frank and Edward Mueller then turned the building into an auto services shop and sold various makes of new cars.
The car depicted in the ornament, taken directly from a historic, archival photo and dubbed the first automobile—a Eureka—in Ferdinand, was purchased by none other than Peter Müller, Jr., on Sunday, July 11, 1909. This was before the streets were paved; so during wet weather, automobiles would sink axle-deep into the mud roads. While Peter owned the car, the driver in the ornament is Joe Mueller (wearing goggles). Next to him is Ed Mueller, and in back, from left, are John Russ, Charles Metzger, and Herb Mueller.
The Ferdinand Historical Society thanks the multiple owners over the years who have cared for and preserved this unique, living part of Ferdinand's history. We're especially thrilled about the vision of the current owners, Ann Knebel and Ed Kornegay. Not only are they preserving the iconic structure, but they have opened its doors to benefit all ages as a vibrant and fun cultural arts center. Traditional Arts Today embodies the community values that help to make Ferdinand special.
The annual ornaments are listed below and can be purchased at Tin Lizzie’s Home Décor & Gifts at 430 Main Street, Ferdinand, IN or at the Christkindlmarkt every November or by calling Ann at 812.367.1266. [email protected]