Schmitt Photo * Rentals *

At the bottom of page fourteen surrounded by news of the American Expeditionary Force in France, one month before Germany signed the armistice that ended World War I, was the modest ad that marked the beginning of what would become Schmitt Photo. On Christmas day, 1918, George W. Schmitt with several other partners co-founded The Photo Shop. With in a year Schmitt would leave to start his own store, out of his home on Garfield Ave. called Schmitt Photo Service. Schmitt Photo Service gave new meaning to family business when the living room was the display floor and his son's bedroom was the darkroom.

Eventually the store out grew its humble beginnings and moved to a new location on Illinois St. near downtown Evansville. Schmitt offered photography supplies, film processing, copy work and enlargements along with cosmetics, groceries and assorted sundries. You could even get a sandwich at the lunch counter or have a bike messenger deliver sandwiches and ice cream to your door.

Through all the changes, family was always part of the equation with Schmitt Photo. George Schmitt, Jr. has been involved since his room was the darkroom. In 1946, he took over. "I was around photography for all my life, but I really got enthused about it after the war. I was in the air force (in World War II) and wished I had some pictures", he said. Schmitt is in its fourth generation. President Stephen Polley (George's son-in-law), and his daughter, Heather, work full-time at Schmitt Photo.