Schmid Bros. Building
Brenham, Washington County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Swiss immigrant Josef Schmid began a mercantile business in Brenham in 1880. He was joined by his brothers Benjamin and Sigmund to form Schmid Bros. in 1889, and in 1899-1900 they erected this building to house their business enterprises. Built in the Renaissance revival style, it features multi-bay configurations on both floors and round-arched windows with hood moldings. Sold by Schmid Bros. in 1934, it has remained a vital part of Brenham's business district.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Swiss immigrant Josef Schmid opened a Brenham mercantile in 1880 and, joined by his brothers Benjamin and Sigmund, formed Schmid Bros. in 1889. At the turn of the century the brothers raised this handsome Renaissance Revival building — round-arched windows, hood moldings, and multi-bay fronts on both floors — to house their growing enterprise, a fixture of the downtown even after the family sold it in 1934.
Why it matters
It reflects how immigrant merchant families built the commercial backbone and architectural character of small-town Gilded Age America.
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Related people
- · Josef Schmid
- · Benjamin Schmid
- · Sigmund Schmid
Themes & tags
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