Brunswick, Indiana - Back in Time ==== A Glance at History

 

HENRIK EDSENIUS | THE TIMES | The house of Frank and Donna Wachter located on Calumet Avenue in Brunswick. The house once served as a post office and general store.

 

Did you know? A violin string factory that once operated here shipped its products nationwide.

For more than a century, the hamlet of Brunswick has been locked in time - its pristine landscape undisturbed by an influx of traffic, noise or major developments.

And Donn Hylek, owner of Reichert's Tavern, one of only two businesses still operating in the community founded by German immigrants back in the mid-1800s, says he wouldn't have it any other way.

"This is the land time forgot, and frankly, I'm really happy with that," said Hylek, who claims his pub, centered at a single three-way stop at the intersection of 135th and Calumet avenues, is "a one-man band operation that caters to those who want to stop and take a time out for a cool brew."

Hylek, who has operated the establishment for 10 years, admits while he's not getting rich, he's "managing to stay alive" and enjoys the variety of patrons that filter inside the small tavern

"We have our regulars, motorcyclists and some snowmobilers in the winter, but most of our trade are commuters just passing by on their way to Chicago," Hylek said.

Since he's lived here, he's seen only one small subdivision crop up on the north end of Brunswick that might give a hint of impending growth.

"But ask anyone who lives here. Most of us are perfectly happy with the lack of progress. It's no big deal. We don't mind having wells or the septic tanks. What we don't want is to see this land eaten up by a lot of subdivisions and developments," Hylek said.

Donna and Frank Wachter, who live in the two-story white frame house purchased by Wachter's grandfather in 1949, agree.
The historic residence, built in 1860, once housed the Brunswick post office and general store, and it fits perfectly in the quaint community.

And north of the three-way stop is the Zion Evangelical Church built in the 1800s. A one-room schoolhouse converted into a community center. And an old Hudson car dealership with a gas pump outside, antique tools and antique cars, circa 1948 and 1949.

To the south of the intersection are a number of farms and a few unique octagon-shaped barns.

There was a time when Brunswick was a bustling community that boasted of having three creameries, two wagon wheel shops and even a violin string factory, which shipped products nationwide and didn't close until the 1980s.