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Throwback Thursday: S. Sack Tailor Shop
By: Eric D. Tudor
One of Downtown Lebanon’s early businesses, now long forgotten by many, was Sebastian Sack’s custom tailoring shop. Wondering where it once stood? Right about where the U.S. Post Office is located today on West Commercial Street!
Sebastian Sack and his wife Mary (Loibl), along with other family members, emigrated from Bavaria, Germany to Lebanon around 1884. Born in 1834, Sebastian was already an accomplished tailor when he arrived in Lebanon at the age of 50. In 1885, he opened his shop in a 25’ by 50’ wooden building, offering finely crafted custom suits, pants, and shirts, as well as imported clothing of exceptional quality. His business thrived for 25 years before he sold it in 1910 to Christ Hellwig, who continued the trade for some time.
The Sack family lived at 423 Monroe Street. Sebastian passed away in 1912 at the age of 78. His wife, Mary, lived until 1939, and their son Otto, who was born in 1893, later relocated to Warren, Indiana, where he died in 1937.
While the exact closing date of the tailoring shop is unclear, records show it was still in operation as late as 1925. The building was gone by 1931, likely destroyed in one of the fires that swept through downtown Lebanon around 1928–1929, and eventually replaced by the current U.S. Post Office.
This week’s Throwback Thursday is another gem from local historian Eric Tudor, who has worked tirelessly to bring Lebanon’s hidden stories to light. As Eric faces some significant health challenges, we ask you to keep him in your thoughts and thank him for his contributions to preserving our local history.
