Name/Title
Krug Park Initial Drive Construction Photo, c. 1890sEntry/Object ID
P1962.12.14Description
Krug Park Initial Drive Construction Photo, c. 1890. sepia. Original photo taken of workcrews with horse teams/wagons and shovels creating the Krug Park Drive. History of the photo is detailed below. A copy of this photo was printed in a 1950 St. Joseph Newspaper and readers were asked if they could identify the photo. The daughter of one of the men in the photo replied and her description is transcribed below. See 93.1H.137 for documents related to story below.
Original newspaper inquiry by Mrs. Benton Calkins, daughter of Henry Krug.
"Krug Park Development: Does anyone know just what part of Krug Park was being shaped when this picture was taken? It is owned by Mrs. Benton Calkins, who says the photo is about 60 years old. That would place it about four years after the original park of ten acres was given to the city by Mrs. Calkins father and uncle, Henry and William Krug, with the stipulation that the city spend $1500 in improving the park..."
In answer: Reply by Mrs. Bertha Johnson,'
"Tjabe Bernard Johnson...with 1890s Krug Park Work Crew.
Tjabe is in the front row of men standing on hill with shovels. He is the far man on the right with shovel in his right hand. He is leaning on shovel
1890's construction work at Krug Park, St. Joseph, MO. Construction work is on the beginning of the upper drive on the hill. This information according to Bertha Johnson, daughter of Tjabe. The photo appeared in a 1950's St. Joseph newspaper. This photo is a copy of that Newspress photo.
Reply to NewsPaper Photo by Mrs. Bertha Johnson...
...I am writing in regard to the picture of Krug Park, the picture of laborers with a wagon and mules. My father is the man in the extreme right with the shovel. The picture was taken up on the hill when they first began to make the drive. You will note the white boardwalk above the upper men in the wagon that led up to the old wood tower. This picture was taken about 55 or 60 years ago. Our family was in possession of a similar picture but somehow it has been lost.
I recognized the picture at once when I saw it. I grew up in St. Joseph, and Krug Park was our most enjoyable place of that day. I love St. Joe, and I wish I lived there now. I married in 1902 and have lived here ever since. Oh. yes, my father's name was J. B. Johnson, and my home was at 820 Green street. Many old residents there will remember my father. He worked at the park quite a lot for Mr. Rau, who was the caretaker....Mrs. Bertha Johnson, Stewartsville, MO"
(The above must have been submitted to the Museum by Phyllis Sutton Brooks, Great-granddaughter of Tjabe Johnson. her address appears on the transcript).
Original digital scan located on History CD 06Made/Created
Date made
1890Place
City
St. JosephState/Province
MissouriLexicon
Nomenclature 4.0
Nomenclature Secondary Object Term
Print, PhotographicNomenclature Primary Object Term
PhotographNomenclature Sub-Class
Graphic DocumentsNomenclature Class
Documentary ObjectsNomenclature Category
Category 08: Communication ObjectsSearch Terms
Krug Park, Krug Park Initial ConstructionRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Tjabe Bernard Johnson