Friday, May 29, 2015

Bevo



Our Bosnian population is centered around the old Bevo Mill, a landmark German restaurant on the south side. It was built in 1915-16 by August Busch, Sr., one of the founders of Anheuser-Busch. The location was chosen because it was about half way between the brewery and Busch's country estate, now known as Grant's Farm. (Apparently Ulysses S. Grant once lived there.) The name of the mill may be a variation on pivo, the Czech word for beer, since its pilsner-style brew was growing in popularity at the time.

(I learned three phrases in Czech when I visited Prague years ago: pivo, prosim - beer, please; jedno pivo prosim - another beer, please; and ucet, prosim - the bill, please. Somehow I failed to learn how to ask directions to the WC. Fortunately, the waiters were always able to tell from the expressions on the tourists' faces. But back to our story.)

The neighborhood was still primarily German and Dutch when I started living on the south side in the mid-70s. Times change, people in the area moved to the suburbs and A-B eventually closed the restaurant. Someone bought it a few years ago and did a fine restoration. Now it is a special events hall, weddings and such, and has a grand Sunday brunch. The neighborhood later filled with Bosnian refugees, who have revitalized the area.

Little Bosnia 7

Little Bosnia 8

10 comments:

s.c said...

What a strange combination, the building with the mill. Not something you see often even in the land of the windmills.

Luis Gomez said...

Great post Bob. Would love to visit. It is interesting how places manage to come back.

Norma said...

I love the windmill!

I lived in that neighborhood very briefly, over twenty years ago. I haven't been back there since we moved out.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

G'day Bob.. Love the look of the windmill restaurant and even more, enjoy seeing people happy and having a good time!

Halcyon said...

It's the American version of Germany/Netherlands. Sort of kitschy, but I like it!

Unknown said...

Not the kind of architecture I would expect finding there. :-)
By the way, your Czech is much better than mine, I don't remember a word... :-)

Sharon said...

Fun photos that brought back some memories. When I was working there a group of us went there for dinner. It's looking good. I'm glad it has a new purpose.

William Kendall said...

The Bevo Mill certainly stands out quite well!

cieldequimper said...

Now that's a surprise, but a really nice one. Love it!

Stefan Jansson said...

A bit of a surprise with that fine windmill!