Charlie Nagreen

HamburgerCharlie

Charlie's Chant

The Charlie Burger

Charlie Nagreen (1870–1951), also known as "Hamburger Charlie," was an American entrepreneur credited with being one of the inventors of the hamburger. Born in Hortonville, Wisconsin, Nagreen first sold hamburgers at the Seymour Fair in 1885 when he was just 15 years old. His innovation was to flatten a meatball and place it between two slices of bread, making it easier for fairgoers to eat while walking. This simple yet revolutionary idea marked the beginning of the hamburger's popularity in the United States.

Early Life

Charlie Nagreen was born in 1870 in Hortonville, Wisconsin, to German immigrants. Growing up on a farm, he was accustomed to hard work from a young age. This work ethic would play a crucial role in his later success as a food vendor.

Career

In 1885, Nagreen set out to sell meatballs at the Seymour Fair, but he quickly realized that the meatballs were not selling because they were too difficult for people to eat while enjoying the fair. In a stroke of ingenuity, he flattened the meatballs and placed them between two slices of bread, thus inventing the hamburger. He continued to sell hamburgers at the fair for the next 65 years, earning him the nickname "Hamburger Charlie."

Throughout his life, Nagreen was a prominent figure at the Seymour Fair, and he is remembered for his contribution to American cuisine. The town of Seymour, Wisconsin, claims to be the "Home of the Hamburger," largely due to Nagreen's early efforts.

Legacy

Charlie Nagreen's contribution to the creation of the hamburger has made him a notable figure in American culinary history. The Seymour Community Historical Society of Seymour, Wisconsin, holds an annual "Burger Fest" in honor of Nagreen's invention. This event features a hamburger cooking contest, a parade, and the world's largest hamburger.

Despite the debate over who actually invented the hamburger, Nagreen's story remains an important part of the narrative. His approach to making food more accessible and convenient for fairgoers has had a lasting impact on American food culture.

See Also

• Hamburger
• Seymour, Wisconsin
• Culinary history of the United States