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Circa 1890
KRUG PARK
(Properly pronounced as kroog park)
In 1890, Henry Krug donated 20 acres of land for the park's creation
Krug Park was "officially" opened to the public on May 6, 1902
The Krugs donated 142 more acres in 1936, park size is now 162 acres
Krug Park has grown to 162 acres since it's creation
Krug Park is located at the northern end of the Parkway in St Joseph
It is a large city park with Italian Renaissance structures
The park has extensive landscaping and flower beds and an amphitheater
A lagoon filled with ducks, geese and fish is located at the entrance
There are rose gardens, picnic areas, an Italian style castle, scenic walking trails, and playgrounds for children
Also featured is a North American native animal exhibits
The fenced areas house buffalo, deer, and longhorn cattle
Krug Park "lights up" during the holiday season as Krug Holiday Park


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CHRONOLOGICAL OUTLINE
  • 1890 20 acres donated by Henry & Louisa Krug, & William Krug
  • 1902 Officially open to public. Stone gateway nearly completed.
  • 1902 Krug Park Cannon purchased by Superintendent Rau.
  • 1910 Charles Mulford Robinson recommends expansion of park.
  • 1912 Superintendent Rau completed entrance flower bed plans.
  • 1912 George Kessler's report urges expansion of park.
  • 1914 32 acre gift from Henry Krug Jr. & Selma Krug
  • 1918 "Robidoux cabin" was dismantled and restored.
  • 1919 Clark St & Myrtle Avenue placed under Park Board control.
  • 1919 New pedestrian entrance started.
  • 1919 New plans for Krug Park approved by Park Board.
  • 1922 Children's circus completed.
  • 1925 Grading for Krug Park Bowl completed.
  • 1926 Construction of Bowl completed.
  • 1928 6 acre gift from. Henry Krug Jr. & Selma Krug
  • 1928 Krug Park road paved.
  • 1928 Lagoon nearly completed; east wall and stone wall in place.
  • 1929 Curbs & inletsconstructed at the entrance.
  • 1929 Picnic area in southwest corner open.
  • 1929 Stone tunnel at south boundary completed.
  • 1932 Driveways constructed through "Circular Greeting"
  • 1936 Old stone entrance, "Krug Park Towers", demolished.
  • 1936 100 acre gift from Henry Krug Jr. as a memorial to his wife.
  • 1936 Purchased adjoining .94 acre tract from Agnes Kennedy
  • 1937 Stage for Krug Bowl to be constructed as WPA project.
  • 1939 Installed sidewalks and area lighting.
  • 1939 State WPA Officials approved plans for 28 acre lake west of Bowl
  • 1939 The lake was never constructed.
  • 1942 Krug Park Cannon sold for scrap.
  • 1944 Sunken garden area "revamped".
  • 1952 New picnic area at top of slope completed.
  • 1953 Resurfaced areas in Krug Park.
  • 1953 Hired Eckel & Aldrich for rehabilitation of Children's Circus.
  • 1954 Krug Park Drive resurfaced.
  • 1955 Restroom facilities constructed, Eckel & Aldrich architects.
  • 1956 Rehabilitation of Children's Circus.
  • 1956 New restrooms and repairs made to refectory.






  • Circa 1890
    KRUG PARK COMMEMORATION PLAQUE

    This plaque commemorates the gifting of the land
    In 1890, 162 acres were gifted by 3 Krug families
    Another 20 acres were gifted in 1890
    In 1936, 140 more acres were gifted by Krug




    1 2 3 4

    Circa 1890's
    ORIGINAL MAPS OF KRUG PARK
    & KRUG PARK PLACE

    Photo #3 - 1897 map of Krug Park features
    Photo #4 - The entrance to Krug Park Place, a little girl and a trolley on
    St Joseph Avenue




    1 2

    KRUG PARK AERIAL VIEWS





    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37
    RECENTLY OBTAINED KRUG PARK PHOTOS

    The above are Krug Park photos I recently obtained, they have not been sorted and placed in appropriate areas as yet
    Krug Park was officially open to the public on May 6, 1902. The impressive stone gateway was just nearing completion at that time. The conservatory, which had been constructed at least since 1900, was a very popular spot for park visitors during this period.
    Alligators were kept in the pond in front of the conservatory
    Several other exotic animals were housed around the park. Old war cannons were moved to the park, and the so-called "Robidoux cabin". A reporter in need of a story saw an old cabin being torn down, and claimed that it belonged to the town's founder, Joseph Robidoux. As a result, the cabin was moved to Krug Park and maintained for many years.




    1 2

    Circa 1887
    KRUG PARK PAVILION
    or CONCESSION STAND

    The Pavilion was razed in later years as the park grew






    Circa 1889
    KRUG PARK AS IT APPEARED IN 1889

    A 1972 St Joseph News-Press article with some interesting facts




    1 2 3

    Circa 1890
    KRUG PARK TOWER

    Back in late 1890's, this tower stood at the crest of Krug Park before the roadway was created. It was called the highest point in the city at 1070 feet, so the view from this tower must have been magnificent
    The way up the tower was by right hand turns on a succession of square landings at the corners of the tower
    The tower was torn down when the wind and harsh weather made it unsafe
    Photos are St Joseph News-Press photos - April 5, 1953




    1 2 3 4 5 6

    CIRCA 1897
    BAND STAND

    In 1897 there was a band stand, it no longer exists
    Open air concerts were popular at the turn of the 19th Century
    Photo #5 was taken in 1910
    It was a band that played at the Band Stand
    The Band Stand stood near where the Castle is today




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21

    Circa 1898
    CONSERVATORY
    WATER FOUNTAIN
    AND FLOWER GARDENS

    The conservatory was built in 1898
    The conservatory was once located amongst the flower gardens
    Flowers for the gardens were grown inside the conservatory
    Over the years, the conservatory fell to despair and it was razed, it no longer exists
    The footbridge no longer exists
    Today there is still The Rose Garden & Gazebo
    It is a beautiful area of Krug Park

    Photo #1 - Vintage rose garden post card
    Photo #2 - Rose Garden & Gazebo today
    Photo #3 - The Conservatory
    Photo #4 - old conservatory interior
    Photo #5 - 1907 Photo of rose garden area
    Photo #6 - Vintage photo of footbridge
    Photo #7 - 1906 Postcard of flower garden
    Photo #8 - 1936 Easter Sunrise Service
    Photo #9 - The Conservatory
    Photo #10 - flower garden post card
    Photo #11 - 1910 postcard - conservatory
    Photo #12 - Henry Krug, Jr
    Photo #13 - An early view flower garden
    Photo #14 - the flower garden
    Photo #15 - the flower garden
    Photo #16 - The Conservatory
    Photo #17 - overview of the flowers
    Photo #18 - walkway by the Rose garden
    Photo #19 - 1907 Footbridge photo
    Photo #20 - Conservatory doorway
    Photo #19 - 1907 Mark Robreau's great grandparents on bridge
    Photo #21 - 1914 Krug Park Postcard of the fountain near Conservatory





    1 2

    Circa 1899
    KRUG PARK ENTRANCE & FLOWERS







    Circa 1910
    KRUG PARK LOVERS WALK





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    KRUG PARK WINTER SCENE
    Circa: 1910





    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

    Circa 1888
    TRANSPORTATION TO KRUG PARK

    As early as 1888, trolleys, also called street cars, stopped at Krug Park
    In 1891, there was several street car companies
    Through the years, trolleys and buses continued to stop at Krug Park
    Today, the only transportation is taxi cabs, personal vehicles or walking

    Photo #1 - 1891 advertisement
    Photo #2 - Electric powered Light & Power bus arriving at Krug Park
    Photo #3 - Electric powered steel wheel Krug Park trolley #42
    Photo #4 - 1888 Krug Park trolley
    Photo #5 - 1896 Krug Park trolley
    Photo #6 - 1918 Krug Park trolley
    Photo #7 - 1891 Which street cars to take to get to Krug Park
    Photo #8 - A Scalzo photo, long line of St Joseph buses parked at Krug Park




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39

    ORIGINAL KRUG PARK ENTRANCE
    & OTHER ORIGINAL AREAS

    The original towers at the park entrance were removed in 1936
    Evidently, the towers did not fit into modern times
    These are old photos of the original park entrance and areas that no longer exist or have been modified

    Photo #1 - The original entrance
    Photo #2 - The original entrance
    Photo #3 - Early 1900's near conservatory
    Photo #4 - Early 1900's near conservatory
    Photo #5 - 1980, entrance marker discovered
    Photo #6 - 1930's photo of entrance
    Photo #7 - 1917 photo
    Photo #8 - 1900 map of walkway entrance
    Photo #9 - 1908 Krug Park cannon at entrance
    Photo #10 - 1942 Disposal of Krug Park cannon
    Photo #11 - Original Krug Park entrance
    Photo #12 - 1917 photo
    Photo #13 - Early photo of entrance
    Photo #14 - Stone work at original entrance
    Photo #15 - cannon Balls
    Photo #16 - 1930's photo of the waterfall
    Photo #17 - Pile of removed cannons
    Photo #18 - Postcard of original entrance
    Photo #19 - Trolley outside of the entrance
    Photo #20 - View from inside the entrance
    Photo #21 - Looking towards the main entrance
    Photo #22 - 1912 Postcard - looking towards entrance
    Photo #23 - Civil War cannon - 1910 Postcard
    Photo #24 - New Buicks on display at the entrance
    Photo #25 - Original entrance postcard
    Photo #26 - Lady standing near entrance
    Photo #27 - Lady standing near entrance
    Photo #28 - Lady standing near entrance
    Photo #29 - Circa 1928
    Photo #30 - Circa 1928
    Photo #31 - Circa 1928
    Photo #32 - Circa 1928
    Photo #33 - Krug cannons
    Photo #34 - 1936 St Joseph News Press
    Photo #35 - 1936 St Joseph News Press
    Photo #36 - A stack of cannonballs
    Photo #37 - 1919 Family on cannon
    Photo #38 - Old Postcard, old cannons located at the park entrance
    Photo #39 - 1938 St Joseph News Press waterfall photo




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

    ORIGINAL KRUG PARK ANIMALS, ZOO & FOUNTAINS

    In the 1920's, there was a small animal zoo here
    Many people deny there was a zoo here but my father told me there was a small one here in the 1920's, he saw bears and lions in the castle, but it didn't last long
    The Krug Park fountains no longer exists
    Moila kept their camels here when not on tour
    On April 1, 1905 a baby camel was born in Krug Park

    Photo #1 - staircase and fountain leading to the path above
    Photo #2 - staircase and fountain leading to the path above
    Photo #3 - the original Krug Sign molded into a wall
    Photo #4 - Moila Camels that were kept in the Krug Park Zoo
    Photo #5 - the bears in the Krug Park Zoo
    Photo #6 - Fountain in Krug Park
    Photo #7 - 1900 circa, staircase & fountain
    Photo #8 - Camels and goats in the Krug Park Zoo
    Photo #9 - Moila Camels kept in the zoo when Moila was not on tour
    Photo #10 - Sculpture in Krug Park
    Photo #11 - Krug Park Fountain postcard
    Photo #12 - Baby camel born in Krug Park in 1905




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

    ORIGINAL CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND
    & THE ITALIAN RENAISSANCE CASTLE

    Photo #1 - Old photo of the Castle
    Photo #2 - Old photo of the Children's Playground
    Photo #3 - The old wooden gliders in the Castle
    Photo #4 - The 3 long slides that were later removed
    Photo #5 - One long slide has been removed
    Photo #6 - 1938 photo of swings and 3 long slides
    Photo #7 - Old playground equipment
    Photo #8 - A boy sliding down the wavy slide
    Photo #9 - Castle Pergola at entranceway
    Photo #10 - Old photo of the Castle Pergola
    Photo #11 - Color photo of the children's playground
    Photo #12 - Postcard of the children's playground
    Photo #13 - The wooden gliders in the 1960's
    Photo #14 - Circa 1946 - 4 ladies sitting
    Photo #15 - old photo of the repaired waterfall
    Photo #16 - The 3 sliding boards
    Photo #17 - Old postcard of the children's playground
    Photo #18 - Sliding boards
    Photo #19 - Playground loaded with people
    Photo #20 - The gliders
    Photo #21 - The 3 slides
    Photo #22 - Circa 1958,slides were moved, only 2 were moved
    Photo #23 - One slide, the middle one, was removed





    1 2 3

    Circa 1928
    KRUG PARK DRIVE COMPLETED

    Krug Park Drive circles through the park, going through 2 tunnels
    The 2nd tunnel goes beneath the Castle
    Originally it was a dirt road, in later years it was paved






    Circa 1970
    Guard Rail Installed

    This guard rail was installed ahead of the Castle tunnel
    Photo - February 1, 1970 St Joseph News Press photograph




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

    Circa 1928
    KRUG PARK DRIVE & CASTLE PHOTOS
    MANY PHOTOS TAKEN ON MAY 28, 2012

    The Castle was constructed 1921-1922
    I took a drive through Krug Park today to take some photos
    I took various photos as I drove through the park
    I also wanted to see if any repairs had been made in the past year
    Nope, none at all, but more damage such as the broken swing was observed
    The long steps up to the gliders are also in need of repair

    Photo #1 - Picnic area
    Photo #2 - Picnic area
    Photo #3 - Approaching the 1st tunnel
    Photo #4 - Approaching the 1st tunnel
    Photo #5 - Looking back at picnic area prior to entering the 1st tunnel
    Photo #6 - Backside of the 1st tunnel you never see
    Photo #7 - Backside of the 1st tunnel you never see
    Photo #8 - Playground and picnic area
    Photo #9 - The Castle and 2nd tunnel
    Photo #10 - The Castle and 2nd tunnel
    Photo #11 - The Castle and 2nd tunnel
    Photo #12 - The Castle playground as it is now
    Photo #13 - Steps leading up to the waterfall in need of repair
    Photo #14 - Another area of the playground
    Photo #15 - Upper level of the Castle where the gliders are
    Photo #16 - The wading pool that was filled with water in the old days
    Photo #17 - One of the gliders - note it is in need of repair
    Photo #18 - One of the gliders - note it is in need of repair
    Photo #24 - Honk the Horn Daddy - a beautiful painting by Diana Perry, note Chase Candy case




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

    Circa 1926
    KRUG PARK AMPHITHEATER
    aka KRUG PARK BOWL

    Construction of the Krug Bowl completed in 1926

    The Krug Bowl is directly west of the formal garden in a partly man-made depression which rises to the west, north, and south

    Krug Drive encircles the entire bowl area serving as a boundary for three-quarters of the Bowl

    A large parking lot is located off of Krug Drive just west of the Krug Bowl amphitheater, with grassed medians dividing the lot
    Here is some interesting information about photo #19 which is a 1928 postcard. The natural amphitheater at the park is capable of seating 40,000 people, and in August 1928 the city united to host a seven-day event. Some 150 individuals and businesses subscribed to bring 60 performers from Freiburg, in the German state of Baden, to perform the Passion Play. Between 70,000 and 80,000 people attended the show, which was performed in German since the actors spoke little or no English.

    Photo #1 - The Bowl
    Photo #2 - The Bowl
    Photo #3 - 2012 photo, rose garden & Amphitheater
    Photo #4 - 2013 photo of the Amphitheater
    Photo #5 - 1939 Postcard
    Photo #6 - Natural Amphitheater
    Photo #7 - Old postcard
    Photo #8 - Side view of the seating
    Photo #9 - Current view of the theater
    Photo #10 - Crew working on dirt roadway
    Photo #11 - Circa 1926 - The Bowl nearing completion
    Photo #12 - Circa 1928 seating
    Photo #13 - Crowd watching a performance
    Photo #14 - The Bowl
    Photo #15 - The Bowl
    Photo #18 - July 1950 KP Bowl Show advertisement
    Photo #19 - 1928 Postcard: The Pageant Theater at Krug Park Bowl






    GROUND KEEPER'S COTTAGE

    This was Superintendent Rau's cottage in the park
    The structure no longer exists




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

    KRUG'S PINE RIDGE HOME
    BUILT IN 1872

    Located several blocks south of the park

    Photo #1 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #2 - Another entrance to the property
    Photo #3 - Krug Pine Ridge Home as it looks in 2012
    Photo #4 - 1954 Newspaper Article
    Photo #5 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #6 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #7 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #8 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #9 - Krug's Pine Ridge home
    Photo #10 - Krug's Pine Ridge home




    1 2 3 4 4 4 5 6 7

    HENRY KRUG Jr'S HOME
    & Krug Park Place Homes

    This is the original Krug home, it has been totally restored

    Photo #1 - Henry Jr and Selma Krug home in the 1890's
    Photo #2 - The Henry Krug Jr home in 2012
    Photo #3 - The Henry Krug Jr home in 2012
    Photo #4 - 1890's view of park, observation tower and Krug Home




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    EVENTS IN KRUG PARK

    Photo #1 - 1956 Easter Egg Hunt
    Photo #2 - 1936 Easter Sunrise Service
    Photo #3 - 1981 Release of ducks into the Lagoon
    Photo # 1 - St Joseph News-Press photo - 1956 Easter Egg Hunt




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34

    Circa 1929
    KRUG PARK LAGOON

    The Lagoon was completed in 1929
    As the terrible photo #31 states, as of January 3, 1929, the lagoon was not yet finished. Water was pumped in for people wanting to ice skate
    The Krug Park Lagoon at one time was loaded with Mallard ducks, domestic ducks, Snow & Blue geese & Canadian geese as well as swarms of catfish and carp
    People would bring bread to feed the ducks, fish and the large gold fish (carp)

    Photo #1 - 1981 Release of 65 ducks & geese
    Photo #2 - 1999 The entrance to Krug Park
    Photo #3 - 1999 Lagoon Photo
    Photo #4 - 1999 Lagoon Photo
    Photo #5 - 1999 Lagoon Photo
    Photo #6 - Postal card
    Photo #7 - The Lagoon
    Photo #8 - The Lagoon in 2012
    Photo #9 - The Lagoon in 2012
    Photo #10 - 1935 photo of the Lagoon
    Photo #11 - The new Lagoon Guard Rail
    Photo #12 - The Lagoon
    Photo #13 - 1946 A group of lovely ladies
    Photo #14 - 2014 Spring photo of the lagoon
    Photo #15 - Ducks and geese in the lagoon
    Photo #16 - Larry Morse running R/C boats
    Photo #17 - The Lagoon filled with Canadian Geese
    Photo #18 - Taken in July 2014
    Photo #19 - Taken in July 2014
    Photo #20 - Taken in July 2014
    Photo #21 - The Lagoon in the winter
    Photo #22 - Geese out for a stroll
    Photo #23 - Feb 2015 - American Eagle visiting
    Photo #24 - Catfish still in the lagoon 2014
    Photo #25 - Circa 1969 the original stone guard rail
    Photo #29 - Lagoon entranceway
    Photo #30 - Early 1950's photo
    Photo #31 - Jan 3, 1929 St Joseph News Press photo
    Photo #32 - Looking south from Clark Street towards St Joseph Avenue
    Photo #34 - 2019 photo of the lagoon & some ducks




    1 2 3

    KRUG PARK ANIMALS

    From time to time, the park department fences off park areas creating large pens
    I have seen buffalo, longhorn cattle, deer on occasion in the park pens




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33

    KRUG PARK'S HOLIDAY PARK

    When the Western Tablet Company pulled out of St Joseph, the Park Dept obtained their lighted Santa Claus, sled and reindeer display that were once mounted on the roof of Western Tablet at 11th & Mitchell Avenue every Christmas season for as many years as I can remember
    The St Joseph Park Dept now displays this lighted display every Christmas season at the top of Krug Park
    During the Christmas season, numerous Optimist Clubs and volunteers in St Joseph decorate the 2 mile long roadway in the park including the Castle
    From the beginning to the end, the park is highly decorated with Christmas lights, figures and animals and the is totally outlined in lights
    Each year, as more donations are obtained, more decorations are added, some of the decorations are now animated
    The project is solely funded by public donations, without donations the Holiday Park could not exist
    At the end of the 2 mile drive, Optimist volunteers collect donations as cars come past them
    They usually offer free small Cherry Mash candy bars in return for your donation

    Photo #1 - Glen Roberts creating wooden camels
    Photo #2 - News-Press article - Holiday Park
    Photo #3 - The Castle outlined with lights
    Photo #4 - Lighted display
    Photo #5 - Christmas display
    Photo #6 - Christmas display
    Photo #7 - Christmas display
    Photo #8 - Lights - a roadway tunnel effect
    Photo #9 - Optimist Club collecting donations
    Photo #10 - Santa Claus sleigh and reindeer
    Photo #11 - Santa Claus sleigh and reindeer
    Photo #12 - Lights create a tunnel effect
    Photo #13 - Santa Claus sleigh and reindeer
    Photo #14 - Christmas around the world
    Photo #15 - Inflatable decorations
    Photo #16 - Handmade decorations
    Photo #17 - Handmade decorations
    Photo #18 - Inflatable lighted Frosty
    Photo #19 - Handmade wooden camels
    Photo #20 - The manger scene
    Photo #21 - Santa Claus sleigh
    Photo #22 - Frosty the snowman
    Photo #23 - Welcome sign at park entrance
    Photo #24 - Daytime view of light tunnel
    Photo #25 - Salvation Army tower
    Photo #26 - Wooden soldiers at entrance
    Photo #27 - The 1st tunnel & Frosty
    Photo #28 - Constructed tunnelway
    Photo #29 - Santa Claus sleigh mounted
    Photo #30 - Lighted snowman
    Photo #31 - Lighted tunnel
    Photo #32 - Glen Roberts' Rocking Horse
    Photo #33 - Newspaper article on Glen Roberts




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

    KRUG PARK'S 1st STONE TUNNEL

    This is the 1st stone tunnel that you encounter, everyone loves to honk their horn while driving through the tunner
    When exiting this 1st tunnel, you will see a beautiful overview of the lagoon
    A 2nd tunnel lies ahead a short ways, it lies beneath the Castle
    Some of the facial rock on this tunnel is beginning to loosen and fall away
    I hope the park department attends to this before it worsens

    Photo #1 - 1955 photo of the Lagoon
    Photo #2 - 2012 photo of the Lagoon upon exiting the 1st stone tunnel
    Photo #3 - 2012 photo of the Lagoon upon exiting the 1st stone tunnel
    Photo #4 - A distant view of the 1st stone tunnel
    Photo #5 - The Lagoon, the amphitheater can be seen in the background
    Photo #6 - Postcard - The Lagoon
    Photo #7 - The Lagoon
    Photo #8 - Close-up of the 1st stone tunnel
    Photo #9 - Stairs on south side of the Lagoon
    Photo #10 - Close-up of the 1st stone tunnel
    Photo #11 - 2013 photo of Birch Trees submitted by Terry Turbak
    Photo #12 - 2013 photo of the 1st stone tunnel submitted by Terry Turbak
    Photo #13 - The approach to the tunnel
    Photo #14 - The first tunnel entrance

    >




    Circa 1950
    KRUG PARK PICNIC GROUNDS





    1 2 3

    Circa 1958
    A 2ND KRUG PARK PLAYGROUND AREA

    After the 3 long sliding boards were removed from the Castle, 2 different long slides were installed in another location somewhere above the Bowl and parking lot area
    As seen in photo #2, these are much shorter slides. There is also a swing set and a jungle gym
    This area no longer exists in 2014

    Photo #1 - circa 1962
    Photo #2 - circa 1974
    Photo #3 - circa 1958




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    Circa 1950
    KRUG PARK LILY POND

    At one time, Krug Park had a very shallow lily pond
    The park department converted it into a rarely used parking lot
    Photo #8 - 1979 News-Press photo of my son Steve & I metal detecting in Krug Park near the pool

    Photo #1 - Old photo of the lily pond
    Photo #2 - Recent photo of steps leading to the Lily Pond
    Photo #3 - Very old postcard
    Photo #4 - 2013 photo of steps leading to the lily pond
    Photo #5 - Lily Pond is gone it is now a parking lot
    Photo #6 - 2013 photo of lily pond, it is now all a concrete parking lot
    Photo #7 - 1955 photo of lily pond
    Photo #8 - St Joseph News-Press photo of Rick & Steve Drozd metal detecting
    Photo #4 & 5 - submitted by Rodney Keyes
    Photo #3 - submitted by Michael Miller
    Photo #6 - 2013 photo taken by Terry McGinnis




    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

    Circa 2015
    KRUG LAGOON & WATERFALL RESTORATION

    Over the years, the waterfall has deteriorated and has ceased working
    As of July 2014, the Lagoon was noted to be in a state of despair
    The aerator is no longer working and moss is floating on the water

    The natural waterfall on the north side is not working properly
    The water is a dark green color and looks very unhealthy for the fish
    Many of the fish have died and only a few ducks and geese remain

    In December 2014, City Council approved a Lagoon restoration project that will include construction and rehabilitation of the waterfall that previously existed in the northeast corner

    Part of the project also includes dredging out and cleaning the existing lagoon trying to deepen it a little bit and taking out loose silt that has accumulated over the last several years
    As of March 2015, it was discovered to contain silt of a depth of 2.5 to 3 feet which will be removed allowing the lagoon to have a finished water depth of 6 feet
    The limestone walls along the shoreline will be stabilized and improved and the island refuge for wildlife also will be rebuilt

    Plans for the project also included adding a new hiking trail connecting the sidewalk near the amphitheater to the roundabout sidewalk

    In December 2014, the St. Joseph City Council approved a work order to drain and dredge the Lagoon with Snyder & Associates Inc., not to exceed $67,500
    The Lagoon project should be done by Fall 2015 at a cost of $867,000

    In February 2015, several hundred fish were caught and transferred to Corby Pond. The ducks and geese were caught and stored in a safe area
    In February 2015, draining of the Lagoon began since the weather was above freezing

    The last time the lagoon was dredged and cleaned out was 30 years ago, so this project is overdue and will help with water quality in the lagoon and re-establish the shoreline and waterfall

    The project also will improve the quality of life of the fish and wildlife in the park
    Photos will be posted in this section as the work progresses

    Since the Lagoon draining, a frequent visitor has been an American Bald Eagle
    The Bald Eagle has been nicknamed Kreagle, people visit the Lagoon just to see him

    Photo #1 - Lagoon waterfall
    Photo #2 - Lagoon waterfall
    Photo #3 - Lagoon waterfall
    Photo #4 - Lagoon waterfall
    Photo #5 - Feb 2015 Lagoon draining
    Photo #6 - Feb 2015 Lagoon draining
    Photo #7 - Feb 2015 Lagoon draining
    Photo #8 - Feb 2015 Lagoon draining
    Photo #9 - Feb 2015 Lagoon draining
    Photo #10 - Kreagle Feeding on frozen fish
    Photo #11 - Kreagle landing
    Photo #12 - Kreagle landing
    Photo #13 - Distant view of Kreagle
    Photo #14 - Feb 28 2015 Lagoon drained
    Photo #15 - Feb 28 2015 Lagoon drained
    Photo #16 - Feb 28 2015 Lagoon drained
    Photo #17 - A great Blue Heron visits
    Photo #18 - CIP restoration sign
    Photo #19 - Superb photo of Kreagle




    CLICK ON THUMBNAILS TO VIEW FULL PHOTOS

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    Circa 1921-1922
    THE REFECTORY
    KRUG PARK CASTLE
    2010-2014 PHOTOS

    The Refectory is currently referred to as "The Castle"
    It's construction was never completed as originally planned
    It is a two-story red brick structure of Italian Renaissance design

    The playground area at the Castle used to be called Children's Circus
    Kids played in a wading pool in the early 1950's, it no longer is used

    For over 50 years, there were 3 fifty-two foot long sliding boards
    They were the longest slides I had ever seen
    All of the children loved the sliding boards

    As seen in several old photos in an earlier section, two slides were straight and the other slide was up & down wavy

    They were removed, possibly due to liability reasons

    Back in the 50's & 60's, there were some nice wooden gliders on the upper level

    Rather than repairing and restoring these high quality wooden gliders, they were replaced with modern metal gliders

    Photos #14 & #15 show the current metal gliders as they were in 2011

    The building's top level was originally to have one large room to be used for a recreation hall or banquet room. The Great Depression in 1929 brought it's construction to a halt

    In 1980, the Parks Dept divided the room into offices for the department's use

    Photo #30 - 1921 St Joseph News Press photograph




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    KRUG PARK CASTLE DETERIORATION

    Deterioration and physical damage is noticeable throughout the castle area
    One photo shows massive damage on the castle entrance stairs
    How hard would it be to repair the broken glider?
    The city's park department doesn't seem to be up keeping the park's structures
    Areas that are have been repaired appear to be have done very sloppy






    KRUG PARK CASTLE SIGN

    The Park Department made & mounted a sign on a Castle wall
    It contains a brief history of the Krug Park Castle
    It would have been a good idea if it was low enough to easily read
    It was not very professionally done, I could have made a better one
    It is placed so high up that we got a crick in our necks looking up at this sign
    We also had to strain our eyes trying to make out the wording
    The lettering should have been filled with white paint to make reading easier







    PLEASE SIGN MY GUESTBOOK



    Feel free to email me with any photo donations, comments or questions
    Rick Drozd rickdrozd@gmail.com


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