1860 photo taken 4 days after Mr.
Lincoln visited Lincoln, Illinois, for the last time. Info at 3 below.
This President
grew;
His town does too.
Link to Lincoln:
Lincoln & Logan County Development Partnership
Site Map
Testimonials
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission of Lincoln, IL
1.
Abraham Lincoln and the Historic Postville
Courthouse,
including a William Maxwell connection to the Postville Courthouse
2.
About Henry Ford and the Postville Courthouse,
the Story of the Postville Courthouse Replica,
Tantivy, & the Postville Park
Neighborhood in the
Route 66 Era
3.
The Rise of Abraham Lincoln and His History and
Heritage in His First Namesake Town,
also the founding of Lincoln College, the plot to steal Lincoln's
body, and memories of Lincoln College and the Rustic Tavern-Inn
4.
Introduction to the Social & Economic History of
Lincoln, Illinois,
including poetry by William Childress & commentary by Federal Judge
Bob Goebel & Illinois Appellate Court Judge Jim Knecht
5.
"Social Consciousness in William Maxwell's
Writings Based on Lincoln, Illinois" (an article published in the
Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, winter 2005-06)
5.a.
Peeking Behind the Wizard's Screen: William
Maxwell's Literary Art as Revealed by a Study of the Black Characters in
Billie Dyer and Other Stories
6.
Introduction to the Railroad & Route 66 Heritage
of Lincoln, Illinois
7.
The Living Railroad Heritage of Lincoln, Illinois:
on Track as a Symbol of the "Usable Past"
8.
Route 66 Overview Map of Lincoln with 42 Sites,
Descriptions, & Photos
9.
The Hensons of Business Route 66
10.
The Wilsons of Business
Route 66, including the Wilson Grocery & Shell
Station
11.
Route 66 Map & Photos Showing Lincoln Memorial
Park
(former Chautauqua site),
the Historic Cemeteries, & Nearby Sites
12.
Route 66 Map & Photos Showing Salt Creek &
Cemetery Hill,
including
the highway bridges, GM&O bridge, Madigan State Park, the old dam (with
photos & Leigh's memoir of "shooting the rapids" over the old dam), &
the Ernie Edwards' Pig-Hip Restaurant Museum in Broadwell
13.
The Historic Logan County Courthouse, Past &
Present
14.
Route 66 Map with 51 Sites in the Business &
Courthouse Square Historic District,
including locations of historical markers
(on the National Register of Historic Places)
15.
Vintage Scenes of the Business & Courthouse Square
Historic District
16.
The Foley House: A
Monument to Civic Leadership
(on the National Register of
Historic Places)
17.
Agriculture in
the Route 66 Era
18.
Arts & Entertainment Heritage,
including
the Lincoln Theatre Roy Rogers' Riders Club of the
1950s
19.
Business Heritage
20.
Cars, Trucks & Gas Stations of the Route 66 Era
21.
Churches, including the hometown
churches of Author William Maxwell & Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr
22.
Factories, Past and Present
23.
Food Stores of
the Route 66 Era
24.
Government
25.
Hospitals, Past and Present
26.
Hotels & Restaurants of the Railroad & Route 66
Eras
27.
Lincoln Developmental Center
(Lincoln State School & Colony in
the Route 66 era), plus
debunking the myth of
Lincoln, Illinois, choosing the Asylum over the University of Illinois
28.
Mining Coal, Limestone, & Sand & Gravel; Lincoln Lakes; & Utilities
29.
Museums & Parks, including the Lincoln College
Museum and its Abraham Lincoln Collection, plus the Heritage-in-Flight
Museum
30.
Neighborhoods
with Distinction
31.
News Media in the Route 66 Era
32.
The Odd Fellows' Children's Home
33.
Schools
34.
Memories of the 1900 Lincoln Community High School,
including Fred Blanford's dramatic account of the lost marble
fountain of youth
35.
A Tribute to the Historians and Advocates of
Lincoln, Illinois
36.
Watering Holes of the Route 66 Era
37.
The Historic 1953 Centennial Celebration of
Lincoln, Illinois
38.
The Festive 2003 Sesqui-centennial Celebration of
Lincoln, Illinois, including photos of LCHS Class of 1960
dignitaries & the Blanfords
39.
Why Did the State Police Raid Lincoln, Illinois,
on October 11, 1950?
40.
The Gambling Raids in Lincoln and Logan County,
Illinois,
During the Late Route 66 Era (1950-1960)
_______
Pages
in this section tell about Leigh Henson's Lincoln years, moving away,
revisits, and career:
About Lincoln, Illinois;
This Web Site; & Me
A Tribute to Lincolnite Edward Darold
Henson: World War II U.S. Army Veteran of the Battles for Normandy and
the Hedgerows; Brittany and Brest; and the Ardennes (Battle of the
Bulge)
For Remembrance, Understanding, & Fun: Lincoln
Community High School Mid-20th-Century Alums' Internet Community
(a Web site and
email exchange devoted to collaborative memoir and the sharing of photos
related to Lincoln, Illinois)
Leigh Henson's Pilgrimage to Lincoln, Illinois, on
July 12, 2001
Leigh Henson's
Review of Dr. Burkhardt's William Maxwell Biography
Leigh Henson's Review of Ernie Edwards' biography,
Pig-Hips on Route 66, by William Kaszynski
Leigh Henson's Review of Jan Schumacher's
Glimpses of Lincoln, Illinois
Teach Local Authors: Considering the Literature of
Lincoln, Illinois
Web Site About
Leigh Henson's Professional Life
__________
Pages
in this section are about the writing, memorabilia, and Web sites of
other Lincolnites:
A Tribute to Bill and Phyllis Stigall:
Exemplary Faculty of Lincoln College at Mid-Twentieth Century
A Tribute to the Krotzes of Lincoln, Illinois
A Tribute to Robert Wilson (LCHS '46): Author of
Young in Illinois, Movies Editor of December Magazine,
Friend and Colleague of December Press Publisher Curt Johnson, and
Correspondent with William Maxwell
Brad Dye (LCHS '60): His Lincoln, Illinois, Web
Site,
including photos of many churches
Dave Armbrust's Memorabilia of Lincoln, Illinois
J. Richard
(JR) Fikuart
(LCHS '65):
The
Fikuarts of Lincoln, Illinois, including their
connections to the William Maxwell family and three generations of
family fun at Lincoln Lakes
Jerry Gibson (LCHS '60): Lincoln, Illinois,
Memoirs & Other Stories
Dave Johnson (LCHS '56): His Web Site for the
Lincoln Community High School Class of 1956
Sportswriter David Kindred: Memoir of His
Grandmother Lena & Her West Side Tavern on Sangamon Street in the Route
66 Era
Judge Jim Knecht
(LCHS '62): Memoir and Short Story, "Other People's Money," Set in
Hickey's Billiards on Chicago Street in the Route 66 Era
William A. "Bill" Krueger (LCHS '52): Information
for His Books About Murders in Lincoln
Norm Schroeder (LCHS '60): Short Stories
Stan Stringer Writes About His Family, Mark
Holland, and Lincoln, Illinois
Thomas Walsh: Anecdotes Relating to This Legendary
Attorney from Lincoln by Attorney Fred Blanford & Judge Jim Knecht
Leon Zeter (LCHS '53): His Web Site for the
Lincoln Community High School Class of 1953,
including announcements of LCHS class reunions
(Post yours there.)
__________
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Highway Sign of
the Times:
1926-1960
The Route 66
Association of Illinois
The Illinois
State Historical Society
Illinois
Tourism Site:
Enjoy Illinois
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Marquee Lights of the Lincoln Theater, est. 1923, Lincoln, Illinois |
A Tribute
to the Krotzes
of Lincoln, Illinois
In Memory of Karl Leo Krotz (1938--2010), LCHS
Class of 1956
I sometimes visited with Karl in his
store-museum in the early 2000s as I researched Lincoln's history. Karl was
always friendly and cooperative, sharing stories, showing me around the
historic Krotz Building, giving me good deals on memorabilia, and allowing
me free rein to take photos. May he rest in peace. -- Leigh Henson
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Four generations of
Krotzes have owned and operated various enterprises in Lincoln. G. Frank
Krotz bought 1010 N. Kickapoo in 1919 (across the street from the Stetson
China Factory outlet store during the Route 66 era). The Krotz Building and
the Krotz businesses depicted on this page are vivid examples of how the
past has continued to be "usable" in the first Lincoln namesake city.
The original red brick
building at 1010 N. Kickapoo (Business Route 66) was built in the first decade of the 1900s. Some of the material used in the construction,
including windows and doors, had been salvaged from the dismantled 1858
Logan County Courthouse, in which Abraham Lincoln practiced law. G. Frank
added 40' to the length of the original building's 60' (presently the
building is a large, two-story structure--100' x 25'-- with covered patios
at side rear). For many years, the Krotz family made its home above the
store.
G. Frank's son, Anthony "Tony" Krotz, and Tony's sons, Edward, Karl (LCHS Class of 1956), and Bob (LCHS
Class of 1947), and daughter, Barb (LCHS Class of 1960), continued to operate a grocery
store in this building into the early 1970s. The Krotz & Sons grocery was
the main business of its type in north Lincoln during the vibrant years of
the North Lincoln Mine and the establishment of such major factories as the
Illinois China Company (later Stetson's). In the mid 1900s, Author Robert
Wilson's parents operated a smaller grocery store nearby on Burlington
Street.
Besides the Krotz & Sons
market, the other grocery stores on Business Route 66 in Lincoln were the
Heinzel market on Keokuk Street and the H.F. Wilson & Son grocery on west
Fifth Street. The Krotz Building is the only one remaining.
Following survival law
#1, the Krotzes have adapted with the changing times. At one time Tony sold
fried chicken for carry-out. From about 1974 to the late 1990s, the family
business became Krotz & Sons Lawn & Garden, Pet Supplies & Gift Center.
In the last few years,
Krotz & Sons is what I would describe as an "extreme" curiosity shop. Its
inventory includes Crosley vintage auto parts because Karl Krotz is a
collector. The inventory also includes rare, large photos of Lincoln scenes
and merchandise of the Stetson China Company. Some of the store's
thousands of antiquities, including printed materials relating to Lincoln's
businesses, are not for sale. The establishment thus also serves as a free
museum--one of the best-kept secrets of present-day Lincoln, Illinois, and
all of central Illinois.
This page is a tribute to
the Krotzes and was produced with the cooperation and permission of Mr. Karl
Krotz. Photos on this page are by Leigh Henson unless otherwise noted. A
special thanks to Fred Blanford for obtaining, scanning, and emailing some
of Karl's photos.
When you visit Karl,
please tell him I sent you. (I am hoping he will give me a discount for
producing this promotional page on the Web.)
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1: 1010 N. Kickapoo in 2004
|
2: Window from 1858 Logan
County Courthouse
|
3: Sidewalk
Folk Art at Krotz's
|
4: The Sign
Says It All
|
5: Undated Store Front
(Photo courtesy of Karl Krotz and
transmitted by Fred Blanford)
|
6: Karl Krotz at 7 (circa
1945):
First Day at Work
(Photo courtesy of Karl Krotz and
transmitted by Fred Blanford)
|
7: Krotz Delivery Truck Stuck
on Pulaski Street on the Square
(Click image for larger version. Undated photo courtesy of Karl Krotz and
transmitted by Fred Blanford)
Tony Krotz handles the shovel while two
unidentified men push.
|
8: North
Side Exterior with Crosley Body
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9: Patio at
Rear with Vintage Signs |
10: Front
to Back Just Inside the Front Door
|
11: Krotz Promo Model
Airplane
|
12: Photo Wall Featuring Paul
Powell Portrait
|
13: Karl
with Two Beauties
|
14: Before
the Colonel Came to Town?
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15: Karl Krotz, "The Shabby
Sheik," in 2004
|
16: Official Business Card
Note: Karl has no email address, and his
phone number is private. Karl's local celebrity status leads him to value
privacy in off hours. If you need him, you know when and where to find him.
|
17: Crosley
Front
|
18: Crosley
Interior
|
19: Interior Doorway of the
1858 Logan County Courthouse
The doorway is at the back wall of the main room.
This view looks toward the front. When Abraham Lincoln walked through this
doorway, was it high enough that he at 6' 4" did not have to duck?
|
20: Iron Ring on Floor at
Rear of Building--
Used to Secure Hogs at Slaughter
|
21: Monument in Front of
Krotz Building
|
22: Krotz
Clan Portrait in 1999--75th Anniversary of Krotz Enterprises in Lincoln
(Click photo for larger version. Photo courtesy of Karl Krotz and transmitted with names of subjects by Fred
Blanford)
Front Row-L-R--Karl Krotz, Edward Krotz, Cecile (he wasn't sure of the
spelling--widow of Edward I believe he said) Krotz, Robert Krotz, Barbara
Krotz Kirk.
Back
Row-L-R--Mark Krotz, Edward Krotz III, Frank Krotz III, and Steven Klemm
(son of Barb). The occasion was the 75th year of operation--the why for the
tombstone. |
Email comments, corrections, questions, or suggestions.
Also please email me if this Web site helps you decide to visit Lincoln, Illinois:
dlh105f@smsu.edu.
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"The Past Is But the
Prelude" |
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