Southern Illinois hunters are rallying to protect their cherished tradition of duck hunting during the Christmas holiday, as proposed changes by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) threaten to exclude this seasonal pastime.

State Representative Charlie Meier of Okawville has emerged as a passionate advocate, highlighting the deep roots of holiday waterfowl hunting in family life across the region.

The proposed 2026-2030 waterfowl season dates leave out Christmas, causing concern among local hunters and prompting the IDNR to recognize the holiday’s special significance in the South Zone, which covers areas south of Interstate 70, including the metro-east.

In response, the IDNR will hold public meetings in November throughout Southern Illinois, inviting feedback to ensure future regulations reflect local values.

Ducks will remain fair game over Christmas in 2025, but hunters remain vigilant, determined to defend their seasonal tradition.

The Dahmer Home: A Window Into Columbia’s German Heritage

Built in 1850 by John Dahmer (1827–?), this historic home stands as one of Columbia’s earliest links to its German immigrant roots.

Dahmer came from Wernings, Germany—part of the same district as Gedern, Columbia’s present-day Sister City. At just 15 years old, John boarded a sailing ship from Bremen, Germany, and set out for a new life in Illinois. Upon settling in Columbia, he opened a blacksmith shop on the city lot just north of his newly built home. Between the two structures, he also operated an agricultural implement dealership, serving local farmers as the community began to grow.

Joining him on that same voyage was Christian Dahmer (1830–1904), a 12-year-old boy from Wernings. The exact relationship between the two Dahmers remains uncertain, but Christian also became a blacksmith and worked in John’s shop.

Wernings sent many families to Monroe County in that 1842 wave of immigration—names such as Rueck, Lofinck, Koch, Erd, Reifschneider, Kuemmel, Schenk, Acker, Hergenroider, Gleiber, Kaufmann, Schaefer, Scheuermann, Hilger, and Mack.

Of all these settlers, only four photographs are known to exist, including one rare image of Christian Dahmer standing at the forge inside the shop.

Christian was among the first trustees of St. Paul German Evangelical Church, founded in 1851. He later married Margaretha Schneider, a fellow immigrant from Bayern, Germany, on December 6, 1855. John Dahmer married Louisa Donner on January 8, 1852, in Monroe County.

In 1857, John and Louisa sold the home to Peter W. Miller (1836–1921), as recorded in Monroe County Deed Book #5.

Architectural Details

The Dahmer Home is a vernacular German cottage with Italianate influences, built of brick on a limestone foundation. The one-and-a-half-story structure features segmental-arched brick lintels over all original windows and secondary doors, as well as a recessed main entrance with a transom and sidelights.

A secondary recessed entrance on the west side leads to an upstairs staircase, which opens into two large bedrooms and a central stair to the main level. The home’s design made it suitable for two families, who shared a summer kitchen in the backyard. Later renovations added a rear kitchen and a small bathroom beneath the secondary staircase.

In the 20th century, the west entrance landing even housed a newspaper and tobacco stand, serving the neighborhood.

Later Years and Preservation

The final residents were sisters Delores Fiege (1908–1993) and Winnifred Fiege (1917–2008), third-generation descendants of Peter W. Miller. After their passing, the City of Columbia purchased the home and its family antiques in 2008, preserving this vital piece of local history.

Today, the Dahmer Home stands as a testament to Columbia’s immigrant beginnings, craftsmanship, and enduring community spirit.

Thank you Columbia Historical Society for all of your efforts to perserve our heritage.

YMCA Sponsors Medicare Event

"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful." - Albert Schweitzer

"Believe you can and you're halfway there." - Theodore Roosevelt

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