Zehnder's of Frankenmuth History

Only 11 years after German missionaries founded the settlement of Frankenmuth, the Exchange Hotel began serving meals to local people and travelers in 1856. The Exchange Hotel was built by Henry Reichle, and his wife (as was always the case in those days) was the cook. As traveling salesmen stopped in the small village, they carried word back home about excellent meals served in Frankenmuth at very reasonable prices. In those early days, a weary guest could buy supper, breakfast, and lodgings for himself and his horse for 75 cents. The most popular food served in those days was chicken dinners. A series of operators took over ownership of the Exchange Hotel after the original owner, Reichle, had run it for the first 20 years. In 1900, under owner John L. Hubinger, the original Exchange Hotel was dismantled and a new Exchange Hotel was constructed. After a series of innkeepers owned the Exchange during the first decades of the 20th century, William Zehnder, Sr. purchased the Hotel in 1927 and began remodeling the building.

Zehnder acquired the Hotel, which had been vacant for four years, by trading a farm he owned, plus $4000 he borrowed. Both the exterior and the interior were extensively remodeled. The front of the exterior was made to look like Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. The place, renamed Zehnder's Hotel, opened on Mother's Day, 1928, with a seating capacity of 60. On that day, 312 diners were served family style chicken dinners for $1 per person.

Prohibition Era

During the Prohibition era, Frankenmuthers continued to drink homemade beer and wine. Some of the Hotels, including Zehnder's, secretly served home brew to local people and out-of-town friends. But the practice led to one of the blackest days in Zehnder's history.

On July 30, 1930, toward the end of Prohibition, federal agents raided Zehnder's and Fischer's Hotel across the street. Fearing that agents in Bay City might tip off the Frankenmuthers, 10 agents from Detroit conducted the raid. When proprietors William Zehnder, Sr. and Herman Fischer went to trial on August 4, 1930, people speculated that the penalty would not be very stiff, especially since both men were community leaders and this was their first offense. However, Judge Arthur Tuttle had other ideas. He fined Zehnder $5,000 and socked Fischer with the maximum penalty of $10,000. The kind judge was willing to deduct $1,200 from the fines if the offenders were willing to have their bars and back bars, both crafted of beautiful oak, smashed. The bars were smashed on November 15, 1930. Fischer's fine of $8,800 was the highest paid in the history of Prohibition in the United States.

For Zehnder, an outspoken man of strong convictions, there was a further matter. Should Zehnder apologize to members of his church for his error or not? At a crowded meeting held Sunday, February 1, 1931, Zehnder told members of the St. Lorenz Lutheran congregation that he was willing to apologize, providing all other members of the church also would be willing to apologize for violating the same law. A silence of guilt and embarrassment hushed the congregation. Finally, Pastor Voss broke the silence, calling it a crazy law and saying that Zehnder should not apologize. The congregation concurred.

Depression Era

During the depression years, because of Tuttle's fine (which had to be borrowed to pay) and a lack of customers, Zehnder almost failed. But with the assistance of his wife, two daughters and six sons, the bank and friends, he pulled through. Records show that on one day during the depression, receipts totaled seven cents. On that day, Fred Goetzinger bought a "Speckled Sport" cigar and remained in the barroom to smoke it to its tip.

Post World War II

After World War II, the business grew rapidly, and on March 10, 1947, Zehnder turned over the business to his children. Sons Edwin and Leonard were appointed managers. The business incorporated, and in the early 1950's, Zehnder's purchased Fischer's Hotel across the street. This establishment was managed by William Zehnder, Jr. and became the Bavarian Inn.

In 1965, William Zehnder, Jr., manager of the Bavarian Inn (formerly Fischer's) and Edwin Zehnder, manager of Zehnder's Restaurant, purchased the interests of Zehnder's, Inc. from their brothers and sister.

Only in recent years have Zehnder's and Bavarian Inn become held by separate corporations.

Conclusion

Several years ago, Edwin Zehnder remarked that he was very proud of the many accomplishments his family has made in Frankenmuth, but there was no time to rest on their laurels.

"What would hurt me the most if someday people came here to Frankenmuth and said, "I remember when they had a good restaurant," said Edwin Zehnder. "I don't ever want to look back and see that happen. We've worked too hard to let that happen." Thanks to the long-time heritage of hard working Zehnder family, it is more likely that many future generations will delight in the total "Zehnder's Experience".

What is the mystique that makes Frankenmuth the No. 1 tourism center in Michigan, and Zehnder's the state's top eatery?

Herman Zehnder, brother of Edwin, and author of the 1970 publication, "Teach My People the Truth", the story of Frankenmuth, found part of the answer in a statement made by a University of Michigan psychologist, who was visiting the restaurant.

"These folks," the psychologist declared of the diners around him, "don't drive 2,000 miles for an extra chicken wing or another pat of potatoes. They find here a cordial, unassuming small town atmosphere - a suggestion of the bountiful old-time farm dinners many of them enjoyed in their youth. There's a contagious feeling here of content and liking for your fellows, which is beyond price. The food is only part of what the folks find here.""