The Arhelger Bathhouse stood behind the Arhelger Barbershop on East Main Street. Between 1910 and 1930, dusty travelers frequently stopped in for a haircut, shave, and a hot, sudsy bath. Donated by Kenneth and JoAnn Kothe, the bathhouse has been part of the Pioneer Museum since 1995.

Barbershop & Bathhouse: A Dusty Traveler’s One Stop Shop

March 26, 2010, written by Liz Brookshire, former Pioneer Museum program director

Need a haircut, a shave, and a hot, sudsy bath? The Arhelger Bathhouse, located on the Pioneer Museum grounds, once sat behind the Arhelger Barbershop on East Main Street. Between 1910 and 1930, Alexander (Alex) Arhelger operated the shop, serving travelers and locals alike. The bathhouse has served for years as an exhibit room, highlighting a treasured tool collection and miniature train exhibit. Once in a while a bathhouse needs some grooming itself. Updates are currently being made to the interior to showcase the house as both bathhouse and barbershop in one. This reinterpretation will give visitors to the museum an idea of what furnishings and paraphernalia would have been found in each during the early 1900s. How much do you suppose a haircut and a shave cost in 1920? Around 25 cents!

Our refurbished “Theo A. Koch” barber chairs came out of the “Loth & Land Barber Shop,” once located at 111 E. Main Street in the Maier Building. Mr. Seekatz first opened the barber shop in 1912. In 1927 or 1928 the shop was named “Loth and Land Barber Shop,” after Adolph Loth and Erwin Land. Raymond Wilke bought Land’s interest in the shop. Wilke barbered here for 30 years from 1966–1996. Raymond’s wife, Mable Wilke, and their daughter, Raynell Wilke, kindly donated the chairs for the Arhelger Bathhouse/Barbershop exhibit.

Alexander “Alex” Arhelger’s barbershop, located in the 100 block of East Main Street, 1910-1930.	The Arhelger bathhouse, interpreted as both bathhouse and barbershop, located at the Pioneer Museum.

Our sincerest thanks to the following for donating the wonderful materials exhibited in the Arhelger Bathhouse/ Barbershop: Bill and Vicki Beasley, Richard Bristol, Liz Brookshire, Jeneva Bryans, Buddy and Gladys Frels, Family of Kurt Keidel, Phyllis Ann Keidel-Burkett, Beatrice Klein, Jim Knutson, Jimmie and Linda Langerhans, David and Dee Lawford, Dr. Marie Marschall-Fuller, Glen Treibs, Brent Waldoch, Raymond and Mable Wilke.