Simon “The Pieman” Hubig: New Orleans Tradition’s Roots Are in Cincinnati
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I love finding links between the city I grew up in and the one I live in now. There are a number of interesting commonalities between Cincinnati and New Orleans, but this one takes the cake- or in this case, the pie.
Everyone in New Orleans knows the sight of Hubig’s pies. The lemon ones, the chocolate ones, all the small fried pies bursting with flavor that have been a fixture in neighborhood stores since my grandfather’s time. Little did I realize that this icon of the Crescent City came to us via the Queen City. You see, Simon Hubig was an amazing and groundbreaking baker and he was huge in Cincinnati long before he came to New Orleans
Here is an excerpt from a story by Becky Retz, for the New Orleans Times-Picayune:
Hubig continued working as a baker until his early 30s, when he opened the Hubig Pie & Baking Company in Cincinnati, which over the next two decades grew to the point of producing 30,000 pies-per-day with Hubig’s patented machinery, an “output larger than that of any other bakery in the United States,” according to Goss.
The company also developed patented pie bags and crates that, for the first time, allowed for shipment of its goods over long distances.
During this time, Hubig served as president of the National Association of Master Bakers, a post he held for nine years and through which he became a passionate lobbyist of the federal government on issues such as the price of flour and eggs.
So here is the fun part. There is a lot more about Hubig that is now yet known. Some colleagues of mine in NOLA are involved in the research on this and asked that I put the word out up here. Hubig’s operation started in Price Hill in the 1890′s and as a boy he grew up in Newport, KY. There has to be more that we can unearth to piece together the story of this ground breaking baker and marketer.
Hubig was an amazing baker. He revolutionized his industry by being the first to develop a way of shipping his product across long distances. He was incredibly adept at presenting and marketing his wares. A true story of industry and entrepreneurship in the classic American mold. Help us piece together his tale!
Please, share this around and contact us here at CincyVoices if you’ve got any leads or information.
The Times-Picayune excerpt is from one of a series of stories from University of New Orleans history students offering invaluable insights into New Orleans’ community. Student researchers are recovering fascinating stories about the city’s past, often drawing upon newspaper articles from The Times-Picayune. For more information about the UNO Community History project, please call 504-280-6611.
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I was just in Toledo, Ohio, this past weekend and my brother handed me a small pie tin with “Hubig’s Pies Price Hill” on it. Having lived in Price Hill now for almost 20 years, he thought I should have it. I did a quick search and the article about the New Orleans/Cincinnati connection came up. I wish I had a pic handy to send, but I don’t.
Next time I am in NOLA, I will be looking for the pies!
David
Hey David, that’s great! Let me know if you ever A) get picture you can share and B) if you head down to NOLA. I’m originally from there and can make sure you not only find the pies but also the pie factory should you wish.
Thanks for sharing that, very cool!