The Hofer Brewery was established in LaSalle in 1927, and architects Sheppard & Masson designed the brewery building on Front Road shortly after.
The brewery was founded by the former Mayor of LaSalle Vital Benoit, and the brewery was created for the sole purpose of brewing beer for “export”. During the boom years of Prohibition, the brewery was cranking out 4,500 bottles of beer a day.
Following prohibition the smaller breweries could no longer compete with the big breweries that reopened, and the Hofer was one of those victims, closing its doors in 1939.
Brewmaster Joseph Hofer found work after this however, becoming the brewmaster of the Pfieffer Brewery in Flint, MI in the early 1940’s.
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Anything happening in the building today?
About the most interesting building in LaSalle, besides a few churches and a few larger older homes (including Vital Benoit’s just down the street from this building).
I believe Mr. Benoit was a mover and shaker in LaSalle. He also owned what is now the Chateau LaSalle next door to the brewery. (I can’t remember the name of the roadhouse way back when but I have a picture taken out front of the old place with Mr. Benoit as a young man with his children). He was also the post-master of LaSalle (Petit Cote) about 1920. There used to be a store/post office between the brewery and the Chateau. It was torn down a long time ago and is now the driveway into the Chateau.
I agree with Tom. I always look at his former home when I drive through LaSalle. I heard it had a tunnel to the river for rum running.
What is with the Alice In Wonderland telephone pole rig up on the left hand side? That set up can really mess with your sense of perspective and depth.
The telephone pole “rig” actually overlaps the remains of a hoist on the side of the building. There is the stub of a similar hoist on the right front of the building. Lots of older industrial buildings have/had similar hoists, probably because there was not enough internal space for lifting supplies, etc..
Upon further inspection, it is a bit of an optical illusion – it looked like the phone pole was connected to the hoist remains – and was arching back from the street. Just the way the photo is framed – Google St. View shows they are not attached.
I also heard that there was a spur off the trolley tracks and a custom house around this location. The trolley not only transported people, but delivered freight cars as well. Not sure if it was exactly here.
Also, I don’t have it in front of me, but I think the Essex County Historical Society is planning a publication of area breweries. Hofer should be featured I’m sure.
Anyways, obviously I’m a fan of LaSalle history if you ever find anything else regardind the Town.
I’d buy this building in a heartbeat if I could. This would make a wonderful open-air market, fresh vegetables fruits and meats. Fresh baked pies and breads, home-made jams and such. A small craft section, candles, that kind of thing. I’ve never been more sure of anything. It would fly for sure.
I am married to John Benoit~the great grandson of Vital Benoit. My daughter is wanting some information for a Grade 5 Heritage Fair Project at her school here in Prince Edward Island. We have a book with Whitey Benoit’s information in it. But we would like to focus on Vital, just because of the age group!
I am having a hard time finding info on him and his business….Where and who could I contact? If anyone can help with pictures or information about his brewery days that woudl be great! Thank you!
Paula- I am wondering if our family could get a copy of that picture you have of Vital with his children? AS our family doesn’t have alot of photos like that?
My Grandfather was Henry Benoit from Windsor ON. He was related to Vital and used to work for him. Can you please also send me some information and pictures please
cb7023@hotmail.com
i am the current owner of what was the bondy house/wellington/chateau now rosas italian restaurant and would love much more info on my place as it was in those early years pease if anyone has any info contact me my number is 519-734-7439 or email thx
I thought the person who bulit the building was JacK Major who could neither read or write but made a fortune during America’s Prohibiton. I remember seeing beer flow out an ordinatry faucet in a room thee.
I thought the building shown was first owned by Jack Major who could neithe read or write but made a fortune during Prohibition. The road next to the building was Major Lane that ended at what had been known for many decades as Major Island.
I am one of Vital’s Benoit granddaughters. My Dad, Allan was the second youngest
of Vital’s children. I would also appreciate the picture of my Grandfather posing with
his children.