Maplewood History: William Koester, an early builder of Maplewood

By
Doug Houser
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4
115

Mr. Koester built some of our finest early buildings.  While it would be interesting to know how many still survive, a tally has never been undertaken.

The first four photos originally were shown on the City of Maplewood’s Facebook page.

26 Koester, contractor27 Koester in front of his office copy28 Koester home29 Koester city hall

This collage was created by Yours Truly for Jim and Beth Abeln, the current owners of the Koester home. The floor plan and the sign are from the Abeln collection. The other images are from the Maplewood Public Library.
This collage was created by Yours Truly for Jim and Beth Abeln, the current owners of the Koester home. The floor plan and the sign are from the Abeln collection. The other images are from the Maplewood Public Library.
We lost this Koester home to a heartbreaking blaze in January of 2012. It had been owned by the Clifford family since the 1920's. It was located directly across Flora from Koester's own home.
We lost this Koester home to a heartbreaking blaze in January of 2012. It had been owned by the Clifford family since the 1920’s. It was located directly across Flora from Koester’s own home.
Judging by the similarities to the Clifford home it seems likely that Koester built this home for Dr. Cape. It was located at the SE corner of Hazel and Sutton, now a parking lot. The image is courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library.
Judging by the similarities to the Clifford home it seems likely that Koester built this home for Dr. Cape. It was located at the SE corner of Hazel and Sutton, now a parking lot. The image is courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library.
It is not known if Koester built the first M.E. church shown in this early postcard. His home can be seen just beyond it on the other side of Sutton. The number is just a stock number of the postcard. Image courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library, I think but it might have come from Donna Rakowski.
It is not known if Koester built the first M.E. church shown in this early postcard. His home can be seen just beyond it on the other side of Sutton. The number is just a stock number of the postcard. Image courtesy of the Maplewood Public Library, I think, but it might have come from Donna Rakowski.
As the clipping states the first Methodist church was lost to fire in 1914.
As the clipping states the first Methodist church was lost to fire in 1914.
The current Methodist church building was built by Koester in 1915. the historic image is from the Maplewood Public Library.
The current Methodist church building was built by Koester in 1915. The historic image is from the Maplewood Public Library.

4 COMMENTS

  1. Thanks to everyone who commented. This is fun to do and it’s my pleasure to be able to share it.

  2. Thanks to Doug and 40 South for these great pieces. So important to our sense of community.

  3. I enjoy reading Doug’s articles. They prompt us to remember those who have helped shape our communities as well as remember that we too can leave our own footprints.

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