The City of Hermann, Missouri takes its name from Hermann the Cherusker.
Hermann the Cherusker (the Romans called him Arminius) is a German folk hero of the first century who annihilated three Roman Legions in the Battle of Teutoburger in 9 A.D. at the ripe old age of 27 years old. Historians say his victory was the beginning of the end of domination by the empire of the Ceasars over Germany as well as the British Isles. To many Germans, he is understandably a symbol for strength.
In his honor, the Germans erected a tall monument of him near Detmold, Germany in 1875, and a similar monument in New Ulm, Minnesota, was erected in 1897. Pictured at right is statue of Hermann that guards the entrance of Spassberg, a German village at Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio.
Hermann, son of Sigimer, was one of the Germanic princes of the Cherusci (also known as the Cherusker tribe). He and his brother, Flavus, were educated by the Romans, and Flavus ultimately would take up arms against his own people. Hermann became an officer in the Roman military forces, but when he returned to his native land of Germany, he soon objected to the imposition of Roman law upon his people. Hermann was determined to prevent his country from being delivered up to Rome. Hermann knew that the Romans were superior in their equipment, organization, and numbers, but he was convinced that if the Romans came and fought in his home country, his knowledge of the land would be enough of an advantage to overpower the Romans. His attacks were successful, and he swiftly defeated the Roman Army, causing people far and wide to rebel against the Romans.
Hermann's heroics for his people were not without extreme cost to him. In vengeance, the Romans captured his pregnant wife and took her off to slavery in Rome. A son was born to his wife in Rome and had to remain a slave for the rest of his life. Hermann never saw his wife again or his son. Hermann died 12 years after his great military victory.
German, Roman, and British historians recognize Hermann as one of the most ingenious personalities who precipitated the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of a Germanic Europe.
HUNDREDS OF YEARS LATER.... In 2007 skateboarders from nearby city St. Louis took over a valley close to Hermann to make a massive bowl hole.
Hence the name... "HERMANN'S HOLE"
