1916: Krause is planning to replace burned-out hotel

Feb. 1916

HARTINGTON - Several plans for the proposed new Grand Hotel have been submitted to John Krause by local contractors and it is hoped the much needed structure will be erected during the coming spring.

On account of the location, the building must be of brick or concrete to comply with the fire-proof specifications of the city ordinances.

Henry Stuckenhoff has submitted a design for a brick building covering the two full lots. It is two stories high. It would contain a small store on the north side of the building and two basement store rooms suitable for a barber shop, tailoring or similar establishment. It would have a large lobby on the corner and would contain 52 sleeping rooms and they would be much larger.

Some difficulty is being experienced on account of the length of the building as the roof would have to be nearly 20 feet higher in front than in the rear in order to get proper fall. This would necessitate a wall extending about that height along the south side in order to give the building a uniform style, and this is not regarded with favor by contractors and builders.

The work of cleaning up the site is progressing and if the weather remains favorable it is thought it will be completed in another week.

Mr. Krause is expected to select from among the plans submitted the one that comes nearest to his idea. He will probably come at once to Harlington and arrange the details. According to his son, J.A. Krause, he will remain here during the summer and personally oversee the construction of the building.

Feb. 17, 1916

HARTINGTON - The movement for the new City Hall was given a good strong boost by Martin Nelson in an address at the smoker and get-together meeting given by the fire department to the city officials and other guests last Saturday evening at the MidWest Hotel. The versatility of some of our firefighters was shown by the manner in which they served a substantial meal that far exceeded many that are dignified with the title of “banquet.”

After the meal had been disposed of, Fire Chief Fred Huismith, acting as toastmaster, called the meeting to order and called on Mayor Walz to address the meeting.

Mayor Walz said that he felt he was merely expressing the feelings of the entire community when he said that the difficulties under which the fire boys were working were realized by most of the citizens, who appreciated their effort to the fullest extent. He expressed the hope that the city’s finances would some time permit the Council to carry forward to execute many plans for the betterment of the town which were now out of the question owing to a lack of finances.

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