Middlebury in Elkhart County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Krider Nurseries

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

1. Krider Nurseries Marker

Inscription. These gardens, displayed in the 1934 Chicago “A Century of Progress” World’s Fair, gave Krider Nurseries nationwide prominence. After showcasing an immaculately designed garden as a promotion at the fair, Krider Nurseries brought parts of the exhibit back to this 2.4 acre plot of land. Closely resembling the original design, these gardens have been restored for future generations to enjoy. The display at the World’s Fair costs approximately $10,000, but the investment yielded a 250,000 name mailing list of visitors to the Fair promotion. Using this list, Krider Nurseries grew into a worldwide mail-order business.

Founded as a two acre farm in 1896 by Vernon H. Krider, the nursery grew by 1926 into a 420 acre operation headquartered across the street from these gardens. For decades, Krider Nurseries was the largest industry in Middlebury, employing over 100 people. The offices, packing house, greenhouses, and salesroom (all built in 1923) are shown in the picture above at left, along with the original entryway to the gardens where you are now standing. The picture above to the right shows the World’s Fair

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garden in the foreground, and some of the nursery’s growing fields.

In 1924 Clarence Wesdorp, a nurseryman born and educated in Boskoop, Holland (world center of ornamental horticulture), was hired as plant propagator and general superintendent of the nurseries. Under the direction of founder Vernon H. Krider, his son Kenneth Krider, and Clarence Wesdorp, Krider Nurseries became one of the most diversified nurseries in the country. On the nursery’s 420 acres, one-half million evergreens, shrubs, and trees, and over 100,000 hardy phlox were propagated annually. 165,000 rose bushes were contract-grown each year for Krider’s wholesale and retail sales.

Among the items offered in the Krider Nurseries’ “Glories of the Garden” catalog was “Festival”, Krider’s own patented thornless rose, which was the first of its kind in the nation and sold exclusively by Krider Nurseries.

This picture display was given in memory of Clarence Wesdorp by his wife Catherine, and children Cecilia Zubler, Karen Wesdorp, and Henri Wesdorp.
August, 1995

Erected 1995 by Clarence Wesdorp Family.

Topics. This historical

Krider Nurseries image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

2. Krider Nurseries

At south end of Krider World's Fair Gardens

marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.

Location. 41° 40.698′ N, 85° 42.543′ W. Marker is in Middlebury, Indiana, in Elkhart County. It can be reached from the intersection of Bristol Avenue and Krider Garden Lane, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located at the south end of the Krider World's Fair Gardens. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Middlebury IN 46540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Northern Indiana

and in Greater South Bend.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Vernon H. Krider (here, next to this marker); Krider Nurseries World's Fair Garden (within shouting distance of this

Statue of Hebe, the Goddess of Youth image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

3. Statue of Hebe, the Goddess of Youth

Marker at end of pathway behind statue

marker); Dan West (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 9/11 Survivor Tree Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Middlebury World War II Roll of Honor (approx. ¼ mile away); William Tuffs Memorial (approx. 3½ miles away); Bonneyville Cemetery (approx. 3½ miles away); Chief Shipshewana Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Middlebury.

Upper Left Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

4. Upper Left Photo on Marker

Offices, packing house, greenhouses, and salesroom of Krider Nurseries. The entrance to the Krider World's Fair Gardens (and the location of today's marker) is at the lower center right of the photo.

Site of Former Krider Nurseries Offices image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 12, 2014

5. Site of Former Krider Nurseries Offices

View to southeast from Marker across Bristol Avenue

Upper Right Photo on Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

6. Upper Right Photo on Marker

Some of the growing fields of Krider Nurseries. The Krider World's Fair Gardens are at the bottom of the photo.

Site of Former Krider Nurseries Growing Fields image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 12, 2014

7. Site of Former Krider Nurseries Growing Fields

View to west from Krider World's Fair Gardens

Dutch Windmill image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Duane Hall, April 1, 2014

8. Dutch Windmill

Windmill from Krider's Diversified Garden at 1934 Chicago World's Fair

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 4, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,553 times since then and 64 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 4, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 15, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. 8. submitted on April 4, 2014, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas.