November 23, 2016
History looking for a home Around Town
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Boeing celebrates history
Special Section
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Holiday shopping guide
Photo courtesy city of O’Fallon The city of O’Fallon is looking for a buyer for the Krekel House, a downtown landmark on the corner of Main and Civic Park Drive that has been identified as the first building in O’Fallon.
School
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Wentzville Middle receives grant
The city of O’Fallon is looking for a buyer for the historic Krekel House, identified as the first building in the city By Brett Auten The city of O’Fallon just isn’t sure what to do with the Krekel House. A downtown landmark, the white, two-story building parked on the corner of Main and Civic Park Drive has been identified as the first building in O’Fallon. Built by Nicholas Krekel, who was also the town’s first resident in 1856, the building sits at 103 North Main Street. Krekel was a literal a jack of all trades and the face of the town, serving as O’Fallon’s first postmaster, railroad agent and business owner. John Griesenauer is the administrative services director with the city and his great-grandmother lived in the house before the family eventually sold it. During – and after – Krekel’s time the space was a general store and then for decades Happy Time daycare facility. The building has been standing empty since 2007.
“We would love to see someone wiling to buy it and restore it to its former glory,” Griesenauer said, “or at least the desire is to keep the outside original and not have it torn down. The city wants to see it remain. The Krekel House was important to our growth.” With its high ceilings, large rooms and downtown location, Griesenauer believes the historic home could be anything from a small business to fully-restored living quarters. “It would take somebody who has a love for old homes or restoring,” he said. “It’s a unique home and it will take someone who can see what it can become.” In 2007, the O’Fallon City Council authorized the spending of $275,000 to buy the house for historical preservation. Soon the recession hit and delivered blows to the town’s budget. Hopes and ideas for renovations were either delayed or never came to fruition. “There were talks of a possible mu-
seum or meeting space,” Tom Drabelle, O’Fallon Director of Public Relations, said. “The cost benefit just wasn’t there.” The Request for Proposal (RFP) is See HISTORY page 2
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