The Hormel Historic Home in Austin, Minnesota, helps tell the history of George A. & Lillian Hormel, their lives together, their business, and their contributions to the community.
The bright yellow mansion is in a residential area of the city. Surrounded by lovely gardens, the morning I visited, the only sounds were birdsong and a few cars slowly driving by.
I am a fan of touring historic homes. I love the history, the artistry, and the individuals who centered their lives there.
The House
Built in 1871, the Hormel Historic Home’s mission, according to the website, is to honor and preserve the home and family legacy by celebrating, inspiring, and enriching the lives of everyone in our community.
As I walk in the front door, I am swept back more than a century to when the Hormels and their four children lived here. Built by John Cook, the home was a fine example of the Italianate style.
In 1901, George and Lillian purchased the home for $3,000. They remodeled extensively, importing many materials from Europe and incorporating George’s German heritage into the decor. They stuccoed the exterior and added columns to raise the roofline.
The tour is self-guided. Guests can take as long as they like to enjoy the home, learn about the Hormels by reading the many placards, and appreciate the artistry that went into creating the house.
The Heritage
George A. Hormel settled in Austin and began pursuing his dream of becoming a meatpacker, not just a butcher, in the late 1880’s. His vision became a reality when The Geo. A. Hormel and Company was officially established in November 1891.
His ownership stake in the company made him one of the wealthiest Americans during his lifetime. He married Lillian Belle Gleason on February 24, 1892. George credited her with being instrumental to the company’s success. The Hormel family is still involved in the business.
In 1927, George and Lillian retired and moved to California. The Hormels were generous supporters of many Austin organizations. They were passionate about the need for a permanent home for a Young Women’s Christian Association (Y.W.C.A.) to serve young women in Austin and those new to the city.
The Business
Canned food, in the early 20th century, was considered unnatural and foreign. Hormel changed this view when he introduced his line of canned meat.
It was in the 1920s that Hormel made the most significant breakthrough in the meat packaging industry. His company introduced America’s first-ever canned ham, Hormel Flavor-Sealed Ham. The product was so successful that Americans who were not used to canned food began buying it in bulk.
By 1924, Geo. A. Hormel and Company reached an industry milestone when it slaughtered 1 million hogs annually. In 1937, SPAM was introduced. Today, Hormel is a multinational food processing company. The company’s other brands include Planters, Columbus Craft Meats, Dinty Moore, Jennie-O, and Skippy. The company’s products are available in over 80 countries.
Hormel was a young man with a dream. Not only did he create a massive corporation, but he and his wife left a great charitable legacy to the city.
If you go:
Austin is less than two hours south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. The SPAM Museum and Jay C. Hormel Nature Center are also located in Austin.
For more information on Hormel Historic Home, click here. For information about visiting Austin, click here.
