A Sausage Stuffer and Memorabilia from a 1950s Dance Teacher
- Katarina Volchek
- Oct 14
- 3 min read
Updated: 7 days ago
New Donations to IHM
Fischer Meats Sausage Stuffer
This sausage stuffer is the original appliance used by John Fischer at Fischer Meats in the 1910s. A sausage stuffer is used to load ground meat into the casing. By turning the hand crank the piston pushes the meat down the canister, through the stuffing tube, and into the casing. This process creates a consistent, uniform sausage, minimizing air pockets and producing a better-looking final product than hand stuffing.
Recently, John’s grandson, Geoff Fischer donated this stuffer to the museum. His father and uncle, George and Nick, passed the stuffer down to him after it was retired from use at Fischer Meats. According to Geoff, as food safety regulations became more stringent, they had to say goodbye to the original– likely due to concerns about lead paint.
Adding to our collection from Fischer Meats, we also have a decorative panel from one of their meat display cases. This green sign-featuring a parade of playful pigs- was in use from 1956 to 2007. Not sure you remember it? Come take a look: it's currently on display in the Depot Museum.
But, do you know when Fischer Meats opened? Actually, we aren't quite sure either. The most common date used is 1910, and the Fischer family supports this. However we've yet to find historical records to confirm this. Over the years, writings in the Issaquah Press and from the Historical Society have suggested a few different histories. One claims John opened Fisher Meats in 1910. Another, that he started his business in May Valley in 1910, later moving to Issaquah. A third suggests he worked at Finney’s Meat Market in 1910 before opening his own shop around 1913. The timeline remains a bit murky.
Here’s what we do know according to the 1930 census. John Fischer was born in 1884 in Munich, Germany, and immigrated to the United States in 1907. Historical accounts suggest he worked elsewhere in the country or state before settling down in Issaquah around 1910. One version of the story claims he worked in San Francisco first--and there’s some evidence to support that. The 1910 census lists a John Fischer, born in Germany in 1884, who arrived in the U.S. in 1907, and was employed as a butcher in San Francisco. Is that the same John Fischer?
Most likely John Fischer established a butcher business in 1910 but the shop on Front Street may have opened on a later date. While we haven’t pinned down the exact year Fischer Meats opened, the addition of this original sausage stuffer to the Issaquah History Museums’ collection is a meaningful tribute to the town’s early history. Thanks to Geoff Fischer, we can all admire another piece of early Issaquah History!
Memorabilia from a 1950s Dance Teacher: Elaine Brockman
Charlene Faircloth recently donated a collection of photographs and memorabilia from her mother's time teaching dance between 1954 and 1956. A true entrepreneur, Elaine Brockman launched her dance school out of her own home in 1954, advertising in the Issaquah Press that she taught Ballet, Toe, Character, and Acrobatic dance-ten lessons for just five dollars. In that brief span, she taught approximately 50 students.
Though Elaine only taught for three years, her recitals quickly became a must-see event. For her first recital in 1954 at the Issaquah Theater, tickets sold out before the show. The performance featured music by Ms. H. Francher, choreography by Elaine herself, and costumes by A.J. Cline.
Each recital showcased themed dances that reflected Elaine’s creativity and flair. In 1955, audiences enjoyed pieces titled, A Wee Bit of Switzerland, The Four Seasons, and Parisienne Promenade.
We’re thrilled to add Elaine Brockman’s story to the history of the arts in Issaquah. Click here to see the full collection.
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