Interview with Louis Joseph Flamm, November 26, 2017

Interview Summary

Louis Flamm and MaryAnn Flamm share the story of their family’s lives in and around Over-the-Rhine from the late nineteenth century until after World War II. Their narrative centers on the Flamm Cafe and Saloon founded by Louis’ German immigrant grandfather Blasius Flamm. The Flamm Cafe later moved to a four story building at Elder and McMicken that was run by his father and his siblings that was also home for the Flamm extended family. Louis describes the house and living arrangements, the work roles of each member of the family, the impact of prohibition on their lives and when ‘beer came back’. He also talks about his education at St. Francis Seraph School while growing up and the dense tight knit community in which he was raised. He shares details of the many shops in the area and the daily rounds of work and family and judges that it was good life full of good memories.

Interview Keyword

Findlay Market Flamm's Cafe The Gaiety Bulesque House prohibition Over-the-Rhine family saloon business St. Francis Seraph Church and School German immigration to Cincinnati extended family living in Over-the-Rhine local merchants pre-WWII Over-the-Rhine

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Interview Usage

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