Knox in Starke County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Koffel Building
1891
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2021
1. Koffel Building Marker
The Koffel Building was constructed in 1891 by H.R. Koffel to house Koffel's Drug Store (also known as Modern Drugs) and Farmers State Bank. It was located in the Courthouse Historic District on Main Street in downtown Knox, IN. The two ground floor units were divided by a brick partition wall down the middle of the building — allowing the two upper floor units to share a common staircase. This "Two-Part Commercial Block" was the most common type of construction for small and medium sized commercial buildings during this time. In 1892, the brick streets were laid and wooden sidewalks replaced with concrete. City water became available in 1908. The building was razed in 2013. There were six other "Two-Part" commercial block buildings constructed in downtown Knox.
Erected 2015 by City of Knox; and Starke County Economic Development Foundation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1891.
Location. 41° 17.856′ N, 86° 37.389′ W. Marker is in Knox, Indiana, in Starke County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Lake Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is located near the northeast corner
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Starke County Honor Rolls (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The 18 Pounder Long Gun (about 400 feet away); PFC Frank H. Ono (about 400 feet away); Lincoln's Gettysburg Address (about 400 feet away); Veterans Memorial Plaza (about 400 feet away); These Surplus Guns (about 500 feet away); Starke County Bridge #39 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Site At Which Starke County Was Organized (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Knox.
Also see . . . Historical Marker Commemorates Knox Drugstore Site.
The building was a drug store under various owners for many years before being turned into the Knox Eagles Lodge. During that time, a fire damaged the structure, and it was never fully restored. After that the building was briefly opened as a movie theater. The City of Knox now owns the lot where the building once stood. A group of Knox High School students is developing the land on which the building sat into a pocket park with benches and a gazebo.(Submitted on April 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Marker detail: Koffel Building (wooden sidewalks)
3. Marker detail: Koffel Building (concrete sidewalks)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2021
4. Koffel Building Marker
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, June 22, 2021
5. Koffel Building Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 75 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 4, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
