Idaho History: German brewer John Lemp thrilled early Boise with a well-stocked saloon

Boise’s pioneers included many Germans, of whom brewer John Lemp was certainly the most prominent.

A July 1868 item in the Tri-weekly Statesman tells us that Lemp had just had a 16-by-24-foot cellar built for his brewery, with an 11-foot arched ceiling. “The arch is a masterly piece of workmanship. Each stone is cut wedge or key shape, and placed in with mortar, leaving no possible show for caving.”

An ad in the paper on July 16, 1868, reads: “LEMP & STURZENACKER, Main Street opposite Overland House. BOISE BREWERY & SALOON. Keep constantly on hand the finest of WINES, LIQUORS, CIGARS and LAGER BEER. EVERYTHING KEPT IS FIRST CLASS in quality, and those who favor us with a call can rest assured they will not be disappointed in their expectations.”

In December that year Lemp bought out his partner, Sturzenacker.

In May 1869, the Statesman noted, “John Lemp took the precaution last winter to put up enough ice to supply this market during the warm weather.” The ice would have been harvested from frozen ponds along the Boise River.

The 1870 U.S. Census tells us that Lemp was born in the German state of Hesse and that he had some competition from other German brewers. Christopher Croner was born in Wurttemburg, and Joseph M. Misseld was born in Saxony.

On Jan. 6, 1870, the Statesman reported: “Lagered: John Lemp, of the Boise Brewery, unlimbered his caisson in front of his office the other day and stormed the boys with a keg of his best brew. The keg is now empty. John remembers his friends during the holidays, and they all hope he will brew his beer for many a day yet to come.”

On March 1, 1870, the paper noted, “A Turn Verein and Harmonia Society has been formed with 35 members, with John Lemp as its president.” In April of that year Lemp’s ad read: “Boise Brewery and Saloon. Main Street opposite Overland House. John Lemp, proprietor, keeps constantly on hand the finest and best brewed LAGER BEER! Wines, liquors, and cigars. Cold Lunch, with all kinds of nice cheese, served at any hour.”

In June 1870, the Statesman reported, “BOISE BREWERY: We had the pleasure of visiting John Lemp’s Boise Brewery on last Tuesday, where we found our old friend Chris, the Brewer from St. Louis.”

As Lemp’s business continued to expand, the Statesman reported it step by step. In April 1871: “John Lemp’s new fire-proof building nears completion. Workmen were yesterday putting on the roof and ceiling. The Messrs. Kellogg will occupy it with a stock of groceries as soon as it can be made ready.”

That Lemp was already one of Boise’s wealthiest citizens was shown when the Ada County assessment roll was published in the Statesman on Aug. 10, 1871. Lemp’s property was listed at $9,535, equal to $190,700 in today’s dollars.

In April 1873, John Lemp left by stagecoach for the East Coast to board a ship to Europe to visit the Vienna World’s Fair, the theme of which was “Culture and Education.” He was gone from Boise for three months.

We’ll share more of the John Lemp story next week.