2009 BCOA National Specialty •
Frankenmuth, Michigan • “Michigan’s Little Bavaria”
Frankenmuth History
GIT 'EM WHILE YOU CAN!
Order your t-shirt now! This fundraiser is for a beautiful shirt (long-sleeve or short-sleeve T or a sweatshirt) featuring a beautiful head study by artist Yvonne Sovereign. Deadline to order is May 31, 2008. Download an order form HERE.
Frankenmuth was founded in 1845, led by the Reverand August Craemer,
a Lutheran minister. The small band of settlers came to the area from
Neuendettelsau, Germany, for the purpose of teaching Christianity to
the Chippewa Indians. “Franken” represents the province from which
the settlers came and “Muth” means courage in German. The name
Frankenmuth means “Courage of the Franconians.”
Today, Frankenmuth is a thriving community of 4,900 residents who take
great pride in preserving the German heritage. Area homes, businesses
and surrounding farms remain neat and clean reflecting this German ethic.
Well-tended flowers and lush greenery abound in what many visitors
describe as the most authentic Bavarian architecture to be found
anywhere in the United States.
Economy
Tourism drives the local economy. Frankenmuth draws over three million tourists annually to its Bavarian-themed shops and restaurants. The most well known of these are Zehnder’s and Bavarian Inn restaurants, and Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland. Frankenmuth also attracts tourists with festivals and other events throughout the year. As a tourism measure, the city uses German-style signage for roads.
Architecture
The strong influence of Franconian-style architecture can be found in most areas of the city. Most
buildings in the commercial district, as well as many homes, feature stylistic interpretations of the
timber-framed buildings found in the Franconia region of Germany. This style is marked by the
use of timbers in “square” and “X” patterns on the outside of buildings, as well as the use of “X”
patterns on windows, doors, and other building features. The city currently requires Franconianstyle
facades for the majority of new commercial construction within the main tourist areas.
The Bavarian Lodge has been host to the Scottish Deerhound National Specialty, the Newfoundland Club of America National Specialty (over 500 dog entry), the Bernese Mountain National Specialty, Great Pyrnees, and Old English Sheepdogs.
