Vicksburg in Warren County, Mississippi — The American South (East South Central)
Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane
Photographed By Mark Hilton, May 25, 2017
1. Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane Marker
Inscription.
Koestler Bakery's Christmas Tree Lane. . In May 1908, Leo C. Koestler opened Koestler's Bakery on Washington at Belmont Street. The first ovens were coal fired and "Mello-Toast Bread" was delivered to households by a horse-drawn dray. In about 1918, Leo became the first in the state to deliver in a motor truck, a Studebaker, and to sell bread wholesale in Vicksburg, the Mississippi Delta, and east Louisiana, to wrap bread, and to install a slicing machine. In 1919, a new bakery was constructed at Washington and Bridge streets and then in 1949, the building in the mural was constructed at Clay and Hossley streets. Leo died in 1923, leaving the bakery to his children Charles, Leo, Luke, Ann, and Marguerite. The Koestlers believed in giving back to the community and in 1949, this commitment resulted in one of Vicksburg's most enduring memories. Christmas Tree Lane. The bakery lawn was decorated with evergreen trees and then evolved into the scene above. Charles H. Koestler, Jr., built the snowman and, along with family and employees, decorated the lawn every year. While the bakery closed in 1975, the memory of Christmas Tree Lane lives on in the minds of members of the family and brings smiles to all who came.,
Sponsored by The Koestler family and friends in memory of Leo C., Charles H. , Sr., Leo, Luke, Ann and Marguerite Koestler, the Koestler family, and , former Koestler Bakery employees..
In May 1908, Leo C. Koestler opened Koestler's Bakery on Washington at Belmont Street. The first ovens were coal fired and "Mello-Toast Bread" was delivered to households by a horse-drawn dray.
In about 1918, Leo became the first in the state to deliver in a motor truck, a Studebaker, and to sell bread wholesale in Vicksburg, the Mississippi Delta, and east Louisiana, to wrap bread, and to install a slicing machine.
In 1919, a new bakery was constructed at Washington and Bridge streets and then in 1949, the building in the mural was constructed at Clay and Hossley streets.
Leo died in 1923, leaving the bakery to his children Charles, Leo, Luke, Ann, and Marguerite.
The Koestlers believed in giving back to the community and in 1949, this commitment resulted in one of Vicksburg's most enduring memories. Christmas Tree Lane. The bakery lawn was decorated with evergreen trees and then evolved into the scene above.
Charles H. Koestler, Jr., built the snowman and, along with family and employees, decorated the lawn every year.
While the bakery closed in 1975, the memory of Christmas Tree Lane lives on in the minds of members of the family and brings smiles to all who came.
Sponsored by The Koestler family and friends in memory of Leo C., Charles H. Sr., Leo, Luke, Ann and Marguerite Koestler,
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the Koestler family, and former Koestler Bakery employees.
Erected 2008 by the City of Vicksburg Riverfront Mural Committee.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1908.
Location. 32° 21.135′ N, 90° 53′ W. Marker is in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in Warren County. Marker is on Levee Street south of Grove Street, on the left when traveling north. The Vicksburg Riverfront Murals are located on the Yazoo Diversion Canal levee wall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Vicksburg MS 39183, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 25, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 405 times since then and 25 times this year. Last updated on January 24, 2022, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2017, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
