Osdorp in Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe
Willy La Croix
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, March 16, 2024
1. Willy La Croix Marker
Vreeland, 10 augustus 1906 - Sachsenhausen (Duitsland), 19 september 1944
Tekenaar/architect Willy La Croix werkte bij de afdeling Stadsontwikkeling van de Dienst Publieke werken van de gemeente Amsterdam. Hij was aanhanger van het Nieuwe Bouwen, een architectuurstroming die voor functioneel -dus zonder versieringen- stond. Net als veel vooraanstaande architecten in zijn tijd deed hij in 1936 mee aan de prijsvraag voor een nieuw Amsterdams stadhuis, gepland op het Frederiksplein. Het ontwerp van La Croix en collega Alexander Bodon werd afgewezen door de jury, maar kreeg complimenten van de beroemde architect Le Corbusier. La Croix was actief lid van de Com- munistische Partij en sloot zich tijdens de bezetting aan bij de illegale ambtenarengroep. Hij werd samen met zijn vrouw Grethe Hansen in 1942 opgepakt. Grethe was niet als Joods geregistreerd en werd vrijgelaten. Willy kwam in concentratiekamp Sachsenhausen terecht, waar hij in 1944 ziek en verzwakt overleed.
Draftsman/architect Willy La Croix worked at the Urban Development section of the Public Works Department of the municipality of Amsterdam. He was a supporter of Nieuwe Bouwen, an architectural movement that stood for functionality - i.e. without decorations. Like many leading architects of his time, he took part in the 1936 competition for a new Amsterdam town hall, planned for Frederiksplein. The design by La Croix and colleague Alexander Bodon was rejected by the jury, but received compliments from the famous architect Le Corbusier. La Croix was an active member of the Communist Party and joined the illegal civil servants group during the occupation. He was arrested together with his wife Grethe Hansen in 1942. Grethe was not registered as Jewish and was released. Willy ended up in Sachsenhausen concentration camp, where he died ill and weak in 1944.
Erected by Geef
this page online
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Give Streets a Face / Geef Straten Een Gezicht, and the Heroes of the Dutch Resistance (GSEG) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is September 19, 1944.
Location. 52° 21.101′ N, 4° 46.86′ E. Memorial is in Amsterdam, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Osdorp. It is at the intersection of Willy La Croixstraat and Ernst Cahnsingel, on the left when traveling north on Willy La Croixstraat. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: Willy la Croixstraat 64, Amsterdam, Noord-Holland 1069 PB, Netherlands. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Benelux Low Countries, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Leendert Schijveschuurder (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Lodewijk van Duuren (about 90 meters away); Geertruida van Lier (about 90 meters away); Karl Grφger (about 150 meters away); Jan Peppink (about 150 meters away); Joop Woortman (about 180 meters away); Irawan Soejono (about 210 meters away); Trijn Hulleman (about 210 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Amsterdam.
Also see . . . Ambtenaar in verzet (Gemeente Stadsarchief Amsterdam, in Dutch). Introduction to Amsterdams archival holdings for Willy La Croix.
Excerpt (in translation): After the Netherlands was occupied in 1940, Public Works official Willy la Croix joined the illegal civil servants group. In 1942 he was arrested and transferred to Camp Amersfoort because of his resistance activities. Later he ended up in Sachsenhausen via Camp Vught and Rothenburg-Sandbostel, where he died in September 1942 as a result of 'weakness and serious illness'.(Submitted on April 13, 2024.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2024. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 162 times since then and 11 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on April 13, 2024, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
