History
Townlot 180 was first known in 1852 as the Old School House Lot of the German Emigration Company.The property passed thru several owners until in 1867 when the title passed to Heinrich Wilke who was a wheelwright. In 1878 Charles F. Priess purchased the property and began construction of a large two- story limestone building with a basement, which was completed in 1883 and becane a general merchandise and hardware store. In 1919 Dr. Victor Keidel bought the property and began construction on a new hospital by adding a two-story wing. The new Keidel Memorial Hospital was dedicated on July 31, 1938. Dr. Perry purchased full ownership of the property in 1960 and it remains in the Perry family. Today the building is home to Der Kuchen Laden & Rathskeller Bistro (Basement). In Old Germany a rathskeller was the basement of the Town Hall (Rathaus), usually used as a restaurant or a tavern that sold beer.