The WILLIAM F. SCHAEFFLER
HOUSE MUSEUM


n April 1887 William and Ida
Schaeffler opened a small dry
goods and grocery store in
Hillsboro.  By the end of the first
decade of the twentieth century,
their business had grown into the
largest mercantile in Marion
County.  Left to right: Robert,
Adolph and Ted, Front: father
William F., Louise and mother Ida.


he Historic William F. Schaeffler House and
Grounds Includes:

  • The elegant 1909 Edwardian Queen Anne
    style House, which is on the National
    Register of Historic Places.

  • A Carriage House, and spacious park like
    grounds.

Among other aspects, the historic Schaeffler
house features double parlors, a wonderful formal
dining room, and a turn of the century kitchen, all
remaining as the original occupants of the house
left them.

William and Ida Schaefflers were Lutheran
immigrants from Germany. William was trained as
a machinist and stationery engineer near
Stuttgart, Germany.  The couple founded the
Schaeffler Mercantile Co. in 1887 at Main Street
and Grand Avenue in Hillsboro with $500 cash
and a willingness to put in eighteen-hour days.  

The business was slow at first but, eventually the
business outgrew its wood structure, and in 1903,
they erected a new, spacious brick structure. The
store had five departments; groceries and meats;
men’s furnishings; women’s clothing; and dry
goods. Ida Schaeffler had a millinery shop located
in an adjacent building.

By 1940 "Schaefflers" had become the largest
department store in Marion County and was one
of the surviving early businesses begun in
Hillsboro.  William and Ida Schaeffler retired in
1929 and turned the operation of their business
over to their children and partner Peter H.
Schroeder.

Among other significant contributions to the
community, the Schaefflers were founders of the
Zion Lutheran Church in Hillsboro.

Their son, Robert (Bob) Schaeffler continued to
live in the house until 1980.  Bob Schaeffler kept
the house and grounds in original condition. The
house and its contents were donated to the City
of Hillsboro in 1981.  







Tour information can be found on the Contact Us /
Plan Your Visit page.
OPEN FOR TOURS BY APPOINTMENT
Adults: $3.00
Students and accompanying
Teachers: $1.00
GO:
A Schaeffler Store Album
comming soon
History is for everyone!