Hamburger Charlie
Charlie Nagreen was born in Hortonville, Wisconsin in 1870, where he spent his boyhood. He began his ground beef and onion career in 1885 at the age of 15. It was in August of 1885 when he loaded up his ox cart and traveled 20 miles to Seymour, Wisconsin to sell his meatballs at the fair.
The meatball was easy to assemble and the young lad knew people would be hungry after walking around viewing the agricultural exhibits at the Seymour fair. What he didn't realize was thet people wanted to keep moving and visit the displays.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention
Charlie was a resourceful young man with an outgoing personality. After not experiencing much success selling the meatballs, he had an idea and located some bread. He realized people could take this meal with them if he simply smashed the meat together between two pieces of bread. He called it a "hamburger" and yes, in 1885 the burger was born at the fair in Seymour, Wisconsin.
Sign on the road into Seymour, WI
Hamburger named
Many German immigrants lived in the Hortonville area. Ground up beefsteak was a popular choice at the dinner table. This steak was named after the German city of Hamburg where it was commonly consumed. Since the name was easily recognizable; "Charlie" used it to get attention. He then spread onions on top and the word spread to taste the gastronomical delight that Charlie had to offer.
Charlie returned to the Seymour fair for the next 65 years, but numerous other fairs were added to his summer circuit. Evidence indicates he brought his meat treat to fairs in Shawano, Green Bay, Weyauwega, New London and others. "Charlie's" stand was a popular spot and people in neighboring communities came to believe they couldn't have a fair without "Charlie."
Claim backed by evidence
Numerous communities from New York to Texas claim to be the birthplace of the burger, but no one can supply any evidence dating back to 1885 like Seymour. Early newspaper articles, interviews with contemporaries and Charlie's daughter all verify the first burger was served at the Seymour fair in 1885.
Go here for evidence that Seymour is the Home of the Hamburger.
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