Celebrating Founder’s Day: 181 Years of Frankenmuth Tradition

Every August 18, Frankenmuth has a special reason to celebrate.

Founder’s Day honors the beginning of the community we know and love today — a place built on tradition, determination, family, and a whole lot of hometown pride. In 2026, Frankenmuth marks 181 years since its founding in 1845, giving us the perfect opportunity to look back at how Michigan’s Little Bavaria came to be.

And here at the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus, we’re especially proud to be part of that continuing story.

The Journey to Frankenmuth

The story of Frankenmuth’s German settlement begins thousands of miles away in Bavaria.

In the spring of 1845, a group of 15 German settlers began a long journey to America under the leadership of Lutheran pastor Friedrich August Craemer. They departed Germany, crossed the Atlantic aboard the Caroline, and reached New York Harbor after approximately 50 days at sea. From there, their journey continued by steamboat, train, wagon, ship, and eventually on foot as they made their way toward Michigan.

The settlers originally came with a religious mission to work among Native people in Michigan. Long before their arrival, the region was home to the Anishinaabe, including Ojibwe communities, whose history is an essential part of the story of the land on which Frankenmuth developed.

After spending time in Saginaw while a permanent settlement location was selected, the group prepared for the final portion of their journey.

On August 18, 1845, the 15 settlers loaded their belongings into an oxcart and traveled roughly 12 miles through forests, thickets, and swamps to reach their new home. The area reminded them of their native Franconia, and the settlement became known as Frankenmuth — “Courage of the Franconians.”

That August 18 journey is the reason we celebrate Founder’s Day today.

From a Clearing in the Woods to Michigan’s Little Bavaria

Life in early Frankenmuth looked very different from the bustling Main Street we know now.

The settlers purchased 680 acres and immediately faced the difficult work of clearing dense forests, establishing farms, and building places to live and worship. A combination church, school, and parsonage was among the community’s earliest buildings, and more German immigrants followed the original settlers beginning the next year.

Over the generations, Frankenmuth grew from a small agricultural settlement into a community known around the world for its Bavarian heritage, hospitality, food, festivals, architecture, and family traditions.

Yet even as the town has changed, one thing has remained remarkably familiar: Frankenmuth loves bringing people together.

A Tradition We’re Proud to Be Part Of

The Frankenmuth Cheese Haus joined the Main Street story more than a century after those first settlers arrived.

Our doors first opened on May 23, 1968, when Bavarian Inn's William “Tiny” Zehnder established the Cheese Haus. Today, the business is in its third generation of family ownership and management, and we continue to share a little piece of Frankenmuth with visitors through hundreds of cheeses, Haus-made specialties, Michigan products, gifts, and, of course, Klaus the Cheese Haus Maus.

For us, Founder’s Day is about more than looking at an old date on the calendar. It’s a reminder that the Frankenmuth people enjoy today was shaped by generations of families, businesses, traditions, and stories.

We’re proud that the Cheese Haus gets to add another chapter to that story — preferably with a little cheese involved.

Celebrate Founder’s Day in Frankenmuth

If you’re in town on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, there’s an especially fitting way to learn more about Frankenmuth’s beginnings.

In honor of Founder’s Day, the Frankenmuth Historical Museum is offering free admission from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visitors can explore the history of the community and learn more about the people and events that shaped Frankenmuth over the past 181 years.

And while you’re exploring Main Street, make a stop at the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus. Whether you’re a lifelong local, returning for another family trip, or discovering Frankenmuth for the first time, we’d love to have you celebrate with us.

Here’s to 181 years of courage, community, tradition — and plenty of cheese.

Happy Founder’s Day from Klaus and the Frankenmuth Cheese Haus family! 🧀

• Frankenmuth history / founding story:
  https://www.frankenmuth.org/about-frankenmuth/history/
• Frankenmuth Historical Museum – “Founding of Michigan’s Little Bavaria” PDF:
  https://www.frankenmuthmuseum.org/uploads/1/4/1/2/141283309/k-6__founding_of_michigans_little_bavaria.pdf
• Frankenmuth Founder’s Day / Free Museum Admission event:
  https://www.frankenmuth.org/events/free-admission-to-the-frankenmuth-historical-museum-2/
• Frankenmuth Cheese Haus – About Us:
  https://www.frankenmuthcheesehaus.com/pages/about-us