Film “Krug’s Hotel: The Best Accommodations on the Course”
Lynne, you came to the right place. I have over 50 photos of your great-grandfather's hotel which was located right on the course of the 1904, 1905 and 1906 Vanderbilt Cup Races in Mineola. My favorite Krug's Corner Hotel photos were used to make this four-minute film.
Here's also some background on its history:
The hotel was built in the 1870s by John Buhler on the northwest corner of Jericho and Willis Avenue in Mineola. It was run in conjunction with a barber shop and "it was a favorite pastime for the farmer folk to stop for a haircut, shave and their favorite libation." Frank Krug bought it in the 1890s when it was confusingly called the "East Williston Hotel".
Located less than one-mile from the Mineola train station, the hotel was renamed Krug's Corner Hotel and became a favorite of spectators arriving on the Long Island Rail Road for the 1904, 1905 and 1906 races. The automobile garages on the site also attracted several racing reams to choose the hotel as their racing headquarters.
With the opening of the Long Island Motor Parkway in 1908, the Vanderbilt Cup Races course moved further east from Mineola,. However, Krug's Corner Hotel continued to be a spectator and racing team favorite. For the 1910 Vanderbilt Cup Race, seven racing teams made the hotel their headquarters; Marquette-Buick, Marmon, Oldsmobile, American, Lozier , Stodard-Dayton and Columbia.
The hotel was sold by the Krug family in 1926, in the same year Frank Krug passed away. Eventually, it became a fruit store before being taken down in the 1960s and replaced by several small retail stores. In 2002, the site for the "best accommodations of the course" had become a 1-800 Mattress store.
November 15, 2009 Update: A 1917 photo of Mrs. Frank Krug submitted by her granddaughter.
Comments
Oh My Gosh! I am so touched! Thank you for the time and care you put into creating this video and posting it, and the hotel history, on your website. This is fabulous and very meaningful to me and my family. I forwarded your link to my brother and sister, and showed the video to my parents who live close to me. My mom (grand daughter of Frank) and dad were both fascinated. Mom is 87 and my dad is 90 so not only did they like all of the hotel photos, they loved the cars, clothes, people and everything else. My aunt lives in Alabama (my mom’s only sister) and I’m going to ask a neighbor to show her the video. I’m sure she’ll be thrilled.
You provided us with a piece of family history we didn’t know much about and I know I’ll pour through the pictures when I get them.
Regarding the picture you sent to me via email (also on the website) - My mom and I are positive that the woman in the white dress who is in the parked car in front of the hotel, is my great grandmother - Jane Mollitor Krug. Mom is also sure it is her car. We’re not so sure if my great grandfather is in any pictures. I’m not real sure what he looked like.
I knew the hotel was no longer there because I found the mattress store on Google Earth. Too bad.
Thanks SO MUCH - again - I am thrilled!
Lynne
As Lynn mentioned in her comments, I am the aunt that lives in Alabama. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to view the video of the hotel and see the pictures and other material you have gathered. I first visited the hotel when I was 4 years old, I’m now 89.
Thank you very much,
Marion
Hi Lynne and Marion:
It has been a pleasure!!!
Enjoy,
Howard
Hesh:
You are the Great Pumpkin of genealogists.
This is beyond cool. And heartwarming to anyone with a pulse. Great way to learn history.
We’ll go back in time, make a reservation, and
have a stein of the dark ale of the time.
Best always,
H
As of Today, there is a photo listed for sale on ebay of this hotel, BUT if you go to look it up, it’s MISS-named: KRUD’S CORNER. It looks to be in pretty poor shape, but it was taken on the day of the 1906 race, so if you’re interested…go on ebay, search for “Krud’s Corner - and go for it. (Fun shot of tons of folks in chairs on balcony roofs, etc. )
I am also a relative of Frank P Krug. He was my dad’s great(?) uncle. My dad passed away recently and all of Uncle Frank’s memorabilia is still being proudly displayed in my brother’s home. My dad had displayed a key from the hotel and a personal drawing done by the same artist that drew Buster Brown. We also had many pictures of the hotel and the race cars. It was a great find to come across your books and dad enjoyed both the Vanderbilt Cup races and the Mineola edition. Thanks!
Hi Kathie:
Thanks for the comment. I would love to share the photos on VanderbiltCupRaces.com!
Howard