Coming off the massive success of the Schlitz Pavilion at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition in 1898, Fritz Mueller built an Italianate commercial structure in the heart of the Spring Lake neighborhood that stands out from the houses that surround it.
After immigrating from his native Germany, Fritz spent his first few years in South Omaha working in a brick and lumber yard while learning English. Beginning in 1890, he constructed multiple buildings along what is now the Vinton Street Historic District, from 16th to 19th Streets. Among these were two movie theaters: the Favorite at 1718 Vinton Street (present-day Louie M’s Burger Lust) and the Mueller at 1702 Vinton Street (now Restaurant Y Pupuseria).
Fritz also built the Spring Lake commercial building at the corner of 16th and B Streets (then referred to as Canton). As impressive as that building is, an older and even more impressive two-story brick building sits behind it. A review of newspaper archives suggests it may have been built in the 1890s – possibly earlier. I failed in my attempts to find additional information, but it may have served as a carriage house and is now used for storage.
By 1902, Fritz constructed the two-story, multi-use building that faces 16th Street. Located at 3704 S. 16th Street, it was designed by architect Joseph Guth and built by Bridges & Hoye. The structure features brick with cut-stone details, including columns, a denticulated cornice, finials, a cast-iron column at the corner storefront, and multi-pane windows with a recessed entryway.
Like his Vinton Street buildings, this property served as an investment, operating as a neighborhood grocery store in its early years with second-floor apartments above. Businesses over the years included the Welnehl and Kocourek Bakery, as well as Steil and McGuire Grocery, among others. More recently, it housed Las Artes Galeria, an art gallery operated by Jose and Linda Garcia.
Influential among his fellow countrymen, Fritz is said to have wielded considerable influence over the German vote while maintaining a vast real estate portfolio. This included his Vinton Street buildings and 25 to 30 houses he built in the Spring Lake neighborhood, where he resided at 3715 S. 16th Street.
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