Jodi Miller
Special to The Journal-Standard
Happy Fourth of July! Independence Day is the celebration of nationhood and commemorates the passage of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
Eighty-one years ago on July 4, 1940, the Koenig Amphitheater, fondly referred to by many as the Band Shell at Krape Park, was used for the first time to celebrate our nation’s independence with a concert by the Freeport Concert Band, directed by Karl Kubitz. In 1939, Cheeseman Construction of Freeport built the shell for approximately $8,000. It was presented to the Freeport Park District in 1940 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Koenig in memory of Wilbur T. Rawleigh’s son, who died during service in World War I and all Stephenson County men and women who died in defense of the flag. The amphitheater has since been used for musical performances, weddings, movies and many events for groups that enjoy Freeport’s parks. Thank you to the Koenig family for this genero