ABOUT US - OUR STORY
It was a remarkable day when German-born, Georg Heringer, first cast eyes on The Sherman in May of 2015. It wasn’t that the weather was particularly remarkable as it was actually raining and quite cold. It was remarkable in that a dream against all odds was born and a vision began to take shape of what The Sherman could be after a comprehensive renovation. After too many years of neglect, the building had fallen into serious disrepair and was in much need of some TLC. But Mr. Heringer saw past all that and was mesmerized thinking about the original German immigrants who had walked the streets of early Batesville and in Johann Brinkmann particularly, also from Germany, who had built the hotel tavern in 1852.
Mr. Heringer and his wife bought the building in late March of 2016 and started comprehensive renovations the next day.
Today, The Sherman Inn 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, fully equipped with modern conveniences, wood floor, marble bath floors, custom white shutters, firm mattresses and other details right down to the glass door handles.
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.
