ABOUT US - OUR STORY
Welcome to The Sherman, almost 175 years young, it is one of the oldest buildings in Batesville and a significant landmark in community history. Thanks to continued modernization, the Sherman House has evolved gracefully from its origins as a coaching tavern to the unique and popular hostelry it is today.
The pages of history have not recorded all the events of the past, but it is known that German immigrant Johann F. Brinkmann built the hotel and opened its door to guests in November of 1852. The original building included porches on Main Street which were favorite lounging spots. An outside stairway was the access to guest rooms upstairs.
Originally the hotel bore another name, believed to have been The Brinkman House. During the early years, the inn was renamed at the time of General Sherman’s contributions to victory in the War Between the States.
Recently comprehensively renovated, The Sherman today maintains its integrity as a historic location, but is designed for the modern traveler. Located ideally in downtown Batesville between Cincinnati and Indianapolis, the hotel offers 22 unique rooms adorned with historical photographs and fully equipped with modern conveniences delivering a unique experience and a great overnight rest.
BUILDING HISTORY
Restored to grandeur greater than any time in its 170-year history, The Sherman is a historic 22-room boutique hotel. It’s been a favorite resting place for travelers since Lincoln. Located between Indianapolis and Cincinnati, The Sherman is a convenient meeting point, a well-loved locale for the town and an important Indiana landmark.
The Sherman’s rich history starts before the Civil War, through the taming of the West, the golden era of Hollywood and the election of 34 Presidents. The site of hundreds of celebrations, it is also where serious business was conducted, deals were made and contracts were signed. The very foundation echoes with the cheers and toasts of generations celebrating Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Halloween, birthdays and more.
The Sherman started as a modest hotel and expanded gradually to its current size. The original two-story frame building featured clapboard siding and shuttered six-over-six double hung windows. An outside stairwell provided access to the upstairs which has since been incorporated into the building just behind the front desk lobby area. By the 1930s, five neighboring structures had been incorporated and remodeled with German Tudor style half-timbering which is part of the exterior building to this day.
With a history dating back to 1852, The Sherman is one of America’s few historic properties that has always had the same purpose. The building was constructed by German immigrant Johann Brinkmann as an inn and tavern next to the railroad depot.
BUILDING HISTORY CONTINUED
Brinkmann changed the name of his hotel in 1865 in recognition of General William T. Sherman and to honor the 83rd Indiana Volunteer Infantry which participated in Sherman’s March to the Sea, an important campaign of the Civil War.
At least seven individuals owned the building before August Bloemer purchased it in 1900; he owned it for ten years. In 1912, porches transformed the building into a favorite lounging spot for locals as well as travelers awaiting trains. During this time, the building housed about 35 regular boarders and/or hotel guests. In those days, it was not unusual for guests to share rooms with strangers. The tavern menu would have been modest; nothing like today’s elaborate menus.
In 1923, John Hillenbrand purchased the property as he had just built his furniture factory behind the hotel and was fearful that the tavern stove might catch fire and subsequently burn down his factory. His original intention for the hotel was to turn it into a specialty manufacturing area for high-end furniture.
Rumor circulated through the town that he was going to close the hotel. The residents implored Hillenbrand not to eliminate their beloved hotel and social spot. Hillenbrand agreed to postpone his redesign plans until such time as another hotel was built in Batesville. The towns' people conspired and no other hotel was built. In the interim, Hillenbrand came to enjoy running a hotel and the hospitality it engendered. He changed his plans and soon purchased the adjacent structures converting the whole half block bringing The Sherman to its current floor plan and configuration.
