The Ungerer Block - just right of the electrical pole - early 1900s
No. 108 circa 1900
The interior of Sam Williamson's meat market, circa 1912.
Built in 1874 – Martin Michael Ungerer Mike Ungerer was a German immigrant and Civil War veteran who came to Independence in 1865 and bought this property. He opened Ungerer’s Restaurant & Saloon on the west side and rented out the east side and 2nd floor for additional income. His wooden building was completely destroyed by the Great Fire of 1874 at a cost of $5,500, which today would equal $125,000. He had no insurance, yet he was among the first to begin rebuilding. The facade of Ungerer's block is simpler in style than many of the buildings, probably to keep costs down. It has kept its original entrance layout with doors centrally located in each storefront and the stairway to the 2nd floor in between. The roof cornice has basic Italianate brackets. The brick lintels over the windows are arched but have no decorative cast iron moldings. The cast iron corner posts on the lower facade were added later. At the foot of one of the columns, you will find the imprint of Frank Megow's Star Foundry. This was a major foundry in Independence that became highly regarded for its decorative cast ironwork. Mike Ungerer re-opened his business in No. 108 after rebuilding and continued to run what was considered to be a respectable business. He retired in 1885, possibly due to temperance laws restricting the sale of beer and liquor. He functioned as a landlord until 1907 when he sold his property to the Wapsie Company. Following his retirement, J.W. Lamb Agricultural Implements, Flour & Feed opened at No. 108. In the early 1900s, Brooks & Courtnage Plumbing, Heating & Gas Fitting moved in to be followed by H.R. Marinus Plumbing in 1905. In 1910, No. 108 became the home of the Independence Conservative, the first city newspaper founded in 1854 as the Independence Civilian and renamed in 1864. It was owned by Warren F. Miller who also ran the Miller Printerie from this location through 1958. Ungerer rented No. 110 to a variety of merchants. Most significant in the early years were Charles F. Strohmeier’s Harness Shop (1880-1892) and Mrs. F.D. Rockwell’s Ladies’ Hattery. With the interest in horse racing during these years, both were essential businesses in the community – harnesses for the racing horses and hats for the ladies attending. In 1909, Samuel A. Williamson, a butcher, opened The Queen’s Market. Every year, Williamson welcomed high school students into his shop to teach them about the various cuts of meat. He remained in business until 1920. The Ensminger Bros. Riverside Photography Gallery occupied the entire 2nd floor of the Ungerer block soon after it was rebuilt. Proprietors J.C. and J.M. Ensminger established their business in 1870 and took many photographs of both the town and its citizens. They later became nationally known for their photographs of the Spanish-American War of 1898 taken while living in Sanford, Florida. In 1901, they closed their studio and moved to Florida permanently.