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August & Olive Krenz House

 

This stick style house, with its fish scale shingles and craftsman detailing, was built for August and Olive ("Ollie") Krenz in 1903 by local contractor, William Bieging, at a cost of $1,500. The lot for the house had been split off from the lot next door at 320 South Holcombe, which was owned by Augusts’ father, Anton Krenz. (See the history of 320 S. Holcombe St.) Born in Stillwater in September, 1869, August grew up in the brick house at 320 South Holcombe, which his father, Anton, had built in 1874.

For most of his life, August worked as a mail carrier in Stillwater. The Stillwater Gazette of September 29, 1934, published the following tribute to August under the heading "A Faithful Mail Carrier."

"August H. Krenz, after 34 years and nine months of service, is to retire Sept. 30, 1934. Since January 1, 1900, Gus has carried the mail on Route 3, covering that area east of Third to Orleans street, walking approximately 12 miles a day distributing 500 letters and 300 newspapers and magazines daily. So regular were his habits that one could almost set his clock when he went by. Always a cheery good morning and a wish for a happy day. Yes, and never an unkind word for child or animal. Of high character and most honorable, he was a lovable companion and coworker."

The couple had only one child, Katherine, who was born shortly after the home was built.

The maple and oak wood floors are original to the house. In the early 1930s, an arched partition with French doors was added, and a new 8-foot-by12-foot glassed-in front porch replaced the old one.

In October of 1935, after Augusts’ death two months earlier, Olive paid local carpenter, Emil Bieging, $310 to convert the house to a duplex to accommodate her daughter Katherine and husband, Byron McMillan. In 1950, Byron and Katherine took legal possession of the house, but Olive remained there until her death in 1960. In 1966, Byron died, and Katherine continued to live in the house until 1987.

In the early 1990s, the house was completely redecorated, and a new European kitchen installed. Today the house is the residence of Patricia Savage and Perry Tholl.

Source(s): Information complied by Donald Empson, Empson Archives on 2/6/2009. City of Stillwater Applications for Building Permit #1146, 2355, 2383, 2440. 1910, 1920, 1930 US Census, 1927-28 Stillwater City Directory. August’s obituary is in the Stillwater Gazette, August 26, 1935. The current owners contributed to this history of the house.

Washington County Parcel Identification Number (PIN): 2803020340052

Common Property Name: August & Olive Krenz House

Neighborhood: Ferdinand Schultz 5 Acre Addition

State Historic Preservation Office Inventory Number: WA-SWC-1720

Construction Date: 1903

Builder:

Architect:

Architectural Style: Stick