Downtown in Fargo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Eddie and Hildegarde Kraus
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 2023
1. Eddie and Hildegarde Kraus Marker
Eddie and Hildegarde Kraus began their careers in the entertainment industry as teenagers (he as a waiter in an Opera House, and she as a pianist and organist).
Eventually, Eddie's career led to managing several Fargo-Moorhead theatres. As manager of the Fargo Theatre, Eddie brought many legitimate productions to the area including Boris Karloff in Arsenic and Old Lace, The Merry Widow, Verdi's La Traviata and Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie. He retired in 1960.
Hildegarde's contributions reached far into the entertainment industry. Her music accompanied a variety of productions, and her style made her one of the best-loved organists in the area. Eventually, she became a full time organist for WDAY Radio, retiring in 1954.
Together Eddie and Hildegarde's talents and influence would establish Fargo-Moorhead as a top performance venue. Eddie was able to bring high-quality productions to theatres and Hildegarde and Eddie were frequently invited to Hollywood as advisors to movie executives.
In a 1985 history of the Fargo Theatre, Daniel Cornejo wrote, "Together Hildegarde and Eddie have given Fargo-Moorhead audiences quite a show."
Fargo Theatre Management Corporation, Fargo Theatre
Topics. This historical
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Location. 46° 52.808′ N, 96° 47.277′ W. Marker is in Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Downtown. Marker is at the intersection of 4th Avenue North and Broadway North, on the left when traveling east on 4th Avenue North. The marker is located along the sidewalk near the northwest corner of the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Broadway North, Fargo ND 58102, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. ROCO & Powers Hotel (a few steps from this marker); Theaters of Fargo (a few steps from this marker); The Changing Faces of Entertainment (within shouting distance of this marker); The Wurlitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford Building & BNSF Railroad (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Lutheran Church & Cathedral of St. Mary (about 700 feet away); The Ford Building (about 700 feet away); Black Building & Fargo Theatre (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fargo.
Also see . . .
1. Ed Kraus.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 2023
2. Eddie and Hildegarde Kraus Marker
Looking south across 4th Avenue North.
Ed Kraus was a longtime manager of the Fargo Theatre and the husband of Hildegarde Usselman Kraus. Kraus came to Fargo in 1925 to handle advertising for several American Amusement Company-owned theatres, including the Garrick, Orpheum, Grand, and State. When the American Amusement Company bought the Fargo Theatre, Kraus moved his headquarters there, where he stayed until his retirement in 1960.(Submitted on January 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Hildegarde M Usselman Kraus (Find A Grave). Excerpt:
During the heyday of silent motion pictures, Hildegarde found work as a house organist at the Orpheum, State, and Fargo Theatres. In Fargo, she played on Barton, Marr & Colton, and Wurlitzer theatre pipe organs, and the last remaining of these is the Fargo Theatre Wurlitzer Organ. She was the third house organist of the Fargo Theatre, beginning in the summer of 1926, several months after the theatre opened. She married the Fargo Theatre manager, Ed Kraus, who disliked all things organ and by 1948, the Fargo Theatre Wurlitzer fell silent and she did not play it again until it was restored beginning in 1973. Throughout her years in the theatre industry, she met many celebrities who came to Fargo.(Submitted on January 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)She was also organist of St. John Lutheran Church in Fargo. She is still revered today by those who knew her as "The Incomparable Hildegarde."Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 4, 20233. Eddie and Hildegarde Kraus MarkerLooking southeast; Broadway and 4th Avenue North intersection is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 29, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 44 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 30, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
