✅ SOLVED Wauchenheim Hotel Token

[Spats]

I found this token in a Civil War campsite near Raymond, MS. The front reads "PALACE CAFE ANNEX TO WAUCHENHEIM HOTEL". The reverse says "GOOD FOR 5 IN MERCHANDISE". Any information on the location and time period for this hotel will be greatly appreciated.

Also, I have been relic hunting for 35 years and have many relics that I need help identifying. I discovered TreasureNet through searching for information and have solved several mysteries based on other peoples' posts that have been solved on this forum. I recently set up a TreasureNet account so I could post finds for identification. I posted a button a few days ago and got some great information that solved its identity. Can anyone give me a rule of thumb as to how often to post without overdoing? I plan to post one item per week unless that is considered to be too often. Please advise as to how often is too often. Thanks.

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

DR.ÖTEK Metal Detector, Waterproof Gold Detector, Pinpoint & Terrain Modes, Professional Metal Detector - Grab it through Amazon!

[Bigcypresshunter]

Post as much as you wish. There are members that enjoy solving mysteries and helping others of similar interests still others love learning about history from relics discovered. Post away!


Note: Your photo will come out better with a dark background like blue or green. And outdoor lighting is best. Watch your shadow and use the close-up Macro lens setting.

Nice oval trade token

 

[SkaBa]

Agree with Bigcypresshunter.

Please just have one item per post.

 

[nhbenz]

It looks to be a flattened penny, and if so that would at least indicate an earliest date it could be, whenever the machine that flattened small cents came into popular use.

 

[cudamark]

I think they started them in the late 1800's.

 

[idahotokens]

That is a nice maverick trade token (not an elongated cent). A maverick is a token without town/state. I'm guessing ca. 1910 plus or minus a decade. I can't find reference to the Wauchenheim hotel or even many people named Wauchenheim in the references I just checked. The word Wauchenheim may be a corruption of the German town name Wachenheim and may be the hometown of the person who owned the hotel. With a name like that and with the coming of WWI in the time period I think, the owner may have decided to change the name of the hotel to a less Germanic-sounding name.

I'd encourage you to take good close-up photos as Bigcypresshunter suggests, then post them to tokencatalog.com to get more exposure to folks who can figure out where it is from.

John in the Great 208

 

[tamrock]

Post some more of your unsolved stuff and put up the items that are easy for me to solve, cuz that really strokes my ego when I get things right. Gosh! I wonder how much Mama would be impressed with me on that? Probably not much, but it's still worth a try.

 

[Bramblefind]

There are references in the newspapers and city directories for Vicksburg, Mississippi to various members of a Wachenheim family that were involved in industries there.

The "Garden saloon and restaurant" was evidently a big attraction in 1879-

Also known for whiskey:

WACHENHEIM & GILBERT VICKSBURG MISS gallon whiskey jug 1900 (04/18/2013)

I did find a reference where the name was also spelled "Wauchenheim" and there is this brief mention in a 1911 newspaper about a story of a missing bridegroom visiting Vicksburg who had been staying at "Wachenheims Hotel".

 

[Spats]

Thanks to everyone. I will work on the photos as suggested. As mentioned, I have 35 years worth of unsolved pieces so you guys will be seeing a lot of stuff from me going forward. Thanks also for the help on the token. I like the Vicksburg hotel theory. It was found about 45 -50 miles from Vicksburg so this is very possible.

 

[idahotokens]

I think Bramblefind is onto something with this one and the Vicksburg, MS connection. The 1880 Census lists Simon Wachenheim as "keeps saloon". The 1900 Census shows him as a furniture dealer (I get the impression that he was into a lot of businesses). The 1906 Vicksburg City Directory shows Simon Wachenheim in a wholesale liquor partnership. Unfortunately 1906 is the earliest directory I have access to - Spats, you might check to see if the Vicksburg library has anything between 1880 and 1906. According to a Jewish online burial registry, he died in 1911. At least some of his children are buried in the Anshe Chesed cemetery in Vicksburg - I'd wager he is as well.

Okay - I think I just found the key - the obituary of Simon Wachenheim appeared in the Times-Picayune of New Orleans 14 Jul 1911. And if I did the attachment thing correctly, it will be attached.

John in the Great 208

 

[idahotokens]

Here's the news article from the Richmond, VA Times Dispatch also on 14 Jul 1911

 

[Spats]

I'm gonna call this one solved. Thanks again to everyone who helped. Mr. Wachenheim apparently had several restaurants in Vicksburg over the years and at least one hotel. Could be that the maker of the token misspelled his name by adding a "u".

 

[Spats]

Here are what i hope are some slightly better pictures.