By Kit Zinser

Caroline’s lineage harkens back to the 1400s in Northern Europe.  And those daring, adventuresome folks surely have something to do with their descendant who worked hard and loved all things Washington.  More recently, we shall begin with her parents: Harriet Heiple (1874-1939) and Dr. Harley Augustus Zinser (1871-1942), who were married in 1895.  The home at 105 Zinser (formerly known as Washington Street) saw three generations grow and thrive.  Caroline had one brother, Eugene (m. Bernice Bradle, children Patricia, Steele and John). Their upbringing was about as ideal as one could experience with Gyp, the Airedale dog, Miss Mary Italin as a favored teacher, grateful patients who left fresh meats and vegetables for the family table on the porch steps, to rides in the Glide automobile on hospital and home visits.  The yard between her home and the newly built (1916) doctor’s office was the place where Gyp was laid to rest complete with his own marker, handmade coffin, and published obituary.  She always said that her father, the doctor, probably loved Gyp as much as he did his kids, and she was fine with that.  

Caroline ("Cal") was born in Washington in 1905 at her Grandmother Heiple’s home. Harley and Harriet then brought their newborn to the Federal-style brick home just ½ block off the square, where Caroline resided until her death in 1994.  She and Harley were close, and wherever he went, she usually was in tow.  School years were a treasure for Caroline and Eugene.  He was in sports and Caroline mastered not only good grades, but the grand piano.  Enter August Meinhardt ("Aug") Martini  (1903-1976) – a dashing young man who lived across the street during their entire childhood. Caroline and Aug were married on December 26, 1925, at 105 Zinser – she in a simple dress of satin trimmed in rhinestones and lace complemented with a silver head dress and silver slippers.  She came down the curved steps on the good doctor’s arm into the West room decorated with smilax, roses and mistletoe.  The newlyweds left on a train for their new home in Amarillo, Texas where Mr. Martini held a solid position with a pipeline company.  Both of their daughters, Marilyn (1930-2003) and Roslyn ("Roz") (1935-2019), were born in Texas.  After Harriet passed away, and Harley’s eyesight was failing, the Martini family moved home to care for him.  The grand piano she received on her 16th birthday became a center for songs of the era, and Cal, with her extensive musical talent, brought joy to every party she hosted. 

But, Caroline left a legacy that reads like a “How to Succeed” book.  1. As a lifelong learner, she was heavily involved in the P.E.O. – a philanthropic education association.  2.  She followed city government and when the city wanted to pave over the bricks on Washington Street, she appeared and said: “You’ll pave this road over my dead body.”  The bricks remain.  3.  Her support of Elinor Hallinan and the Garden Club during the state’s push to remove the square was unwavering.  4.  A name change for Washington Street was in the works since it was often confused with Washington Road.  Caroline attended a meeting set for a fight.  When the city asked if she would be OK with “Zinser Place”, she approved and did not have to go to war again with the city.  5.  She provided the now-empty doctor’s office (formerly occupied by Doc Zinser and Doc Monroe) to the newly formed Washington Historical Society. Cal was a founding member along with this partial list of notables: Frances Whittaker, Alba Ryan, Roger Saunders, Gary and Terry Duchein, Fannie McCoy, Marguerite Lucas, Carl McBride, Jean Keely. 

In that year, WHS bought both the 1850s brick home and the doctor’s office.  Designated a historic landmark by the Central Illinois Landmark Foundation, it was a perfect setting for the WHS, which restored the home to 1920s fashion and established a Doctor’s Museum on the NW corner of N. Main and Zinser Place.  These locations were the center for events, tours and programs until the year 2020 when WHS sold both properties and moved to Washington Square.  WHS is thriving due to founders like Caroline.