Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 10, 1946.
Kouts Growing; Plan New Subdivision and Theatre
By HERB STEINBACH
KOUTSーKouts, which is fast labeling itself as a little town with a big future, has a 24-lot subdivision underway, and may boast a $25,000 moving picture theatre not too long hence.
Herman Kosanke, well-known businessman, purchased the Ernestine Rosenbaum estate recently for this project, and is dividing the land into 14 lots. Directly north of this property is a tract owned by Walter Danielson, who is supplying ten more lots.
Two returned servicemen, Robert McCuaig, Kosanke’s son-in-law, and his brother, James, are proposing to construct a $15,000 theatre building and the land and equipment will cost an estimated additional $10,000.
Feel Housing Shortage
Kouts, like almost every other community the country over, has a housing shortage, but the subdivision should help ease this considerably. Measuring 232 feet in width and 858 feet in depth, it lies a block east of state route 49 and runs from state road 8 north to Lyons street.
Some interested future home builders have already made inquiries relative to the purchasing of lots, and it is expected that the land development will have a ready market.
Kosanke says he is going to do everything in his power to aid returning servicemen in building a home on the lots. He will build homes in total or in part, for ex-GI’s, and let them repay him. If these men can do part of the work on their homes, or have friends who will help them, or if they wish to choose their own contractors, Kosanke will go along with them on any such basis, he said.
Start Clearing Land
Work on clearing the underbrush has already been started by Kosanke, with the help of his two sons-in-law, R. M. Weninger and Robert McCuaig. Within three weeks, providing the weather is favorable, the land is expected to be cleared and ready for staking of the lots.
A 40 foot north-south road is to be cut through the center of the subdivision. Four lots will front on route 8, and the remaining 20, 10 on each side, on the new street. Each lot will run approximately 67x141 feet. A 12-inch tile and water main will be laid, and other improvements are under consideration.
The southwest corner lot on route 8, which adjoins the Benkie property, is the proposed site of the McCuaig brothers’ theatre. Originally the veterans hoped to build in the downtown section, but were blocked by a state law which dictates that a theatre must be constructed outside a prescribed distance from a gasoline storage tank or pump. No building or lot on the main street meeting such requirements was found available.
There is a possibility that preliminary work might be started within six weeks, according to McCuaig. Architects George Allen and Son of LaPorte have been contacted for building plans, and it calls for a 38-120 foot structure.
Building materials and labor are the question mark. The brothers are currently investigating the possibility of a veterans commercial building priority.
