Hermann, Missouri: A Walk Through History

A planned community by the Philadelphia Settlement Society, realized by German settlers in 1837, Hermann continues thriving today. It was originally intended to reach the size of Philadelphia, and after Market Street and First Street were surveyed, they were built with four lanes each to handle many horses and wagons moving through town at once. Although the ties to the Philadelphia Settlement Society were severed as time marched on, the original planning done by those who had no idea of the topography of Hermann continues to suit the needs of residents and visitors alike. Surviving Prohibition, the region is now an American Viticultural Area (AVA) and a destination for casual and serious wine purveyors. This designation has also attracted distillers, restaurateurs, and hosts of large and small events, especially weddings and tasting tours. Grab this book and use it to observe the heritage and the vibrancy of the most German town in Missouri.

Born in Hannibal and raised in Vandalia, Missouri, Dea Hoover knows her way around the back roads of Missouri. She’s accustomed to hearing the familiar mantra, ＂Are we there yet?＂-thus the name of her full-service tour operation in the city of St. Louis. In 2008, Are We There Yet?, LLC expanded its operations with the acquisition of St. Louis’s first local receptive tour operation, Discover St. Louis, LLC, founded in 1975. Most recently in 2024, she expanded operations and also serves as a full-service travel agency. She is the best-selling Reedy Press author of STL Scavenger and Hannibal: A Walk Through History. She loves speaking to groups and creating enthusiasm for the locale she presents. Dea and her husband, Declan, work together and live in The Hill neighborhood of St. Louis because it reminds her of a small town in a big city.