In the summer of 1930, Oswego businessman August Korte put the finishing touches on his brand new service station. Located on the “hard road” at the corner of Madison (today’s busy U.S. Route 34) and Jackson Street, the modern station quickly became a community landmark.
As the Kendall County Record’s Oswego correspondent reported on July 9, 1930: “August Korte opened the new Tydol oil service station at the corner of Jackson and Madison streets on July 1. This beautiful new building of English type architecture, erected this summer by Mr. Korte, is quite an addition.”
Korte’s classic Tudor Revival commercial building, now the home of My Sister’s ‘Lil Donut Shop, is the subject of the Oswegoland Heritage Association’s 2012 limited edition commemorative crock. The annual crock sale is the association’s major fundraiser.
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The building was used as a gasoline station for several years before being turned into a private residence. Then Zentmyer Ford purchased it for use as their used car lot office. Over the years since then, the building has housed a variety of businesses including today’s My Sister’s ‘Lil Donut Shop.
The 3-quart lugged crocks, featuring a sketch of the Korte-Zentmyer Building, are $45 each. As in past years, this year’s commemorative crocks will only be available through the end of this year’s PrairieFest community celebration. Orders must be submitted or postmarked no later than Sunday, June 17. Crocks will be delivered for pick-up at the museum in late September.
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This year’s crocks will again be hand made at the Maple City Pottery in Monmouth, Ill.
Proceeds from this year’s crock sale will be used to fund the operations of the Little White School Museum.
To order this year’s commemorative Korte-Zentmyer Building crock, send a check for $45 for each crock made out to the Oswegoland Heritage Association in care of 2012 Crock, Box 23, Oswego, IL 60543.
In addition, crocks may be ordered throughout PrairieFest at the Little White School Museum, 72 Polk Street, Oswego; and at the Oswegoland Park District Information Booth at the PrairieFest Expo Village on the PrairieFest Park grounds through Sunday, June 17.
Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. Sunday. Museum admission is free.
For more information, call the Little White School Museum at 630-554-2999, send an e-mail to info@littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org, or visit the heritage association’s web site at www.littlewhiteschoolmuseum.org.
