Subdeacon Joe Posted February 21 Posted February 21 Found on FB Missouri History · Join Alex Hales · opSsetorndal2b5iif4e068l c M:y8ma2all204rm499119A1cur 2u5tgF · Here is a really nice photo of The Hawken Rifle Factory, probably taken sometime in the 1870's or 1880's; it was located just to the right of the western approach to The Eads Bridge. According to Wikipedia, brothers Jacob and Samuel Hawken opened their first gun shop in St. Louis in 1815 (probably not in this location, though). Jacob passed away in 1849- a victim of the infamous St. Louis Cholera Epidemic- and Samuel continued to operate the business until his retirement in 1855, after which the business was taken over by his son William and his business partners Tristram Campbell, William L. Watt, and J. P. Gemmer. J. P. Gemmer continued with the business in St. Louis until he closed the shop in 1915 and retired (again, I am unsure if it remained in this location until 1915). In their day, Hawken rifles were very famous- and much sought after- owing to their excellent craftmanship, reliability, and accuracy. They are mentioned many times in western literature, and enjoyed renewed interest and appreciation after the release of the 1972 film "Jeremiah Johnson", starring Robert Redford. Jacob Hawken's burial location is unknown. Samuel Hawken lived to the ripe old age of 91 and passed away in 1884; he is buried in St. Louis' historic Bellefontaine Cemetery. 1 3 Quote
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