The Captain Wohlt, a Hermann, Missouri bed and breakfast inn, reflects the rich history and culture of the tenacious people who established this area of the Missouri River Valley. One of these diligent people was Captain Heinrich Wohlt, for whom the Captain Wohlt Inn was named. Come stay with us at our historic bed and breakfast, and discover how the old-town charm and hospitality of Hermann remains yet today.

Captain Heinrich Wohlt

1833-1899

In 1843, at age 10, Heinrich Wohlt came to "Rhine Country," from Germany, with his mother and stepfather. They lived at First Creek and at an early age he was apprenticed to a shoemaker, which was his trade for several years.

In 1852, at age 19, he married Miss Christine Burkhard. They continued living at First Creek for 10 years until they moved to Fredericksburg. It was here that he fell in love with the river and with steamboats in particular.

He built an impractical craft that was anything but a success. However, his industriousness attracted the attention of Hermann people and with their backing, he was able to build the steamer "Fawn" in 1880.

The "Fawn" did ferry service and also commanded the Gasconade River trade, proving to be a success and a good investment to his backers. It became the nucleus for the Hermann Packet and Ferry Boat Company with Captain Wohlt as a charter member of that group.

In 1882, his wife died and, due to ill health, he abandoned the river and steamboats.

In 1891, being of innate industrious habits, he engaged in the milling business at Spring Creek in Franklin County. He had, in the meantime, married Mrs. Frederike Krech.

The home at 123 East Third Street (now the Captain Wohlt Inn bed and breakfast) was built in 1886, as a prospective retirement home, with the 121 East Third Street property purchased to be an income property.

Ten years later, in 1896, his second wife died and he lived out his remaining days with a widowed daughter, Mrs. Mary Plattner.

After Captain Wohlt's death, the Hermann Packet and Ferry Company named a new steamboat in his honor and memory.