2004 Bywater Home Tour

8CHWEGMANN HOUSE

In 1869, John W. and G.A. Schwegmann opened Schwegmann's Grocery and Bar (now Bell's) at Piety and Burgundy. They later offered self-service shopping for a 10 discount (in a time when clerks filled customer orders). John W.'s sons John G-, Anthony, and Paul opened the first "Schwegmann Bros. Giant Super Market at 222 St. Claude in 1946. John G.'s son John F. took over in the 1970s. The latter attempted to purchase 28 National stores in 1995, but ran afoul Federal Trade Commission. The company was purchased in 1996, went bankrupt in March 1999, and was gone by July 1999.

Since 1998, Eric and Whitney Shuman have owned the Schwegmann house, as it is called after its original owners. The first Schwegmann house in this location was torn down and rebuilt in a more modem Mediterranean style around 1910-12. It is dear from a photo the Shumans are displaying that the second porch incorporates some of the original columns.

The garden includes a lush collection of potted plants on the cool front porch, as well as a goldfish pond in the back garden surrounded by tropical plants and an herb garden (complete with turtles). Be sure to explore the recently remodeled bathroom that was inspired by its two Balinese columns. The house was empty for years at one point and elements such as the fireplaces were removed.

Vestiges of the house's history remain, such as a buttonless toe bell in the dining room floor which could be rung, by stepping on it, to summon servants from downstairs.