Mount Vernon in Rockcastle County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Fritz Krueger Building

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

1. Fritz Krueger Building Marker

Inscription. Fritz Krueger and his family emigrated from Germany to America in 1885. The family settled in Mt. Vernon in 1891 and quickly Fritz became a prominent businessman and contractor. At this site. Krueger constructed a building with bricks from his Mt. Vernon kiln. He operated the Fritz Krueger & Son business which carried general merchandise that included apparel, furniture and hardware. Krueger's primary business remained in construction and he built many prominent buildings such as the Houk & Adams Building in Mt. Vernon, the Stanford Courthouse (1909) which is still in use, banks and college buildings. In 1913 Fritz doubled the size of his building and The Boone Way Opera House opened. It was the first theater in Mount Vernon and the proprietor was George Owens. He was locally referred to as "The Picture Show Man". The theater contained a player piano which was operated by J.G. Machal and during the film, Mrs. Ruth McFerron would accompany the silent pictures by playing appropriate songs on the piano.

In 1926, fire destroyed the Krueger & Son merchandise store and The Boone Way Opera House.

In 1927 the Kruegers

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sold the property to a group of local investors who built a new brick building for use as a union hall for the Junior Order United American Mechanics, Mount Vernon Council No. 45. The Junior Order Hall, as it was known, was short lived, closing its doors in 1933. The property then passed through several hands, being split in 1959 with an additional building constructed on the western portion.

Erected by City of Mount Vernon.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings.

Location. 37° 21.22′ N, 84° 20.441′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon, Kentucky, in Rockcastle County. It is on West Main Street east of CS-1009, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 W Main St, Mount Vernon KY 40456, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in The Knobs.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

2. Fritz Krueger Building Marker

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Triangle Park (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Routes In Rockcastle County (within shouting distance of this marker); Longhunters / George Washington's Deer Park (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Triangle Park (within shouting distance of this marker); City of Mount Vernon - 1800's (within shouting distance of this marker); Stephen Langford (within shouting distance of this marker); How the City of Mount Vernon was named (within shouting distance of this marker); C.C. Williams Home (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon.

Photographed by Darren Jefferson Clay, April 7, 2024

3. Fritz Krueger Building Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 8, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 273 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 11, 2024, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • James Hulse was the editor who published this page.