Frank Kienly and Kienly Island

A PLACE OF AMUSEMENT & RELAXATION WITH A BOAT TO FERRY VISITORS.

It was similar to what we consider a "vacation spot" or "weekend getaway" today. 

This is the island which occupies a space in the middle of the Wabash River – east of the 18^th Street Bridge in Logansport, Indiana. It was named for Frank Kienly, who purchased the island in 1905.

1910 Post Card Image

THE MAN AND HIS FAMILY

Frank G. Kienly, pictured,  was born in LaPorte, Indiana in 1869 and came to Logansport around 1890. On November 23, 1898 he married Mary M. Gleitz. The couple had one son and two daughters: Francis, Florence and Alice.

Frank on his island with family.

SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSMAN

Frank owned a service station on W. Market and Front Streets in Logansport and a saloon on W. Market near the bridge. He also worked at the wine importing company of Kreuzberger in a four-story building that stood on the SW corner of 3^rd and E. Market in those days.

MUSIC MAN

Frank was also a well-known musician and composer. He was the director of the local Elks Band and the Citizens Band. He wrote two march tunes, one titled “Selective Service March” and the other titled “Bagpipe March”. Both were published. The “Selective Service March” was performed by the Legion and the High School bands. (Pictured below - The Elks Band)

Above: Frank in his band uniform

RESORT DREAM

Logansport matured from an Indian trading post center and railroading town to a cosmopolitan area with culture, opera, art, formal parties with dancing and political gatherings.

Frank Kienly dreamed of a summer place where a family could escape from the hustle and bustle to spend an entire weekend enjoying nature, relaxing and picnicking.

He purchased the island in 1905 with the idea to have a park with a beer garden, but he decided against any kind of liquor sales. Instead he discussed plans for a bath house, making the island a “bathing resort”.

Above left to right: Frank, Florence C. Kienly (child), Mary M. Kienly and Mary's sister 

Emma Gleitz Wolf

Frank, in white shirt, and Charles A. Smith, standing near a cabin on the island.

By 1910 “a few” summer cottages had been built on the island to meet a demand by a very interested public.

Above: Far left is Frank. Far right - Mary M. Kienly holding Francis G. Kienly, Emma Wolf holding Alice Kienly, Florence Kienly sitting on chair. This was taken on the island. The identity of the people around the table are unknown.

THE "COLETTA"

In 1908 local newspapers announced that Kienly was building a big motor boat. The “Coletta”, as the boat was named, would transport visitors across from the river bank. People could take the interurban street cars to the junction just east of the island and be ferried over. During the island days he was affectionately referred to as “Admiral” Kienly. Even before the island days he was known for boating both the Wabash and the Eel Rivers, and mentioned in the local newspapers for boating as early as 1898.

Above is a rather poor photo, but it is an actual photo taken on the Coletta early 1900s. 

Kienly house on the island

Same photo as above - not cropped

A couple of boys having fun on the island.

LATER LIFE

Frank Kienly served on the selective service board in 1940, when it was formed. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, the Knights of Columbus, the Notre Dame Retreat Club and an active member of the L’Anguille Valley Memorial Association as well as the Elks. He was also secretary of the St. Vincent Cemetery Association for many years. He died of a sudden heart attack in 1945.

At left - Frank plays tuba with some band members at the Pennsylvania depot, Logansport.

THE ISLAND TODAY

At some point after Kienly's death the island came to belong to Charles Smith and family. Judge Leland Smith willed the property to his son, who owns the island at the time of this blogging update. I am told no one visits the island these days unless the son, who lives out of the area, happens to come to Logansport.