Industrial Exposition Building
| Industrial Exposition Building | |
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The Industrial Exposition Building as seen from the Pillsbury 'A' Mill, c. 1890
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| Alternative names | International Stock Food Company Warehouse |
| General information | |
| Status | Demolished |
| Location | 101 Central Avenue Southeast, Minneapolis, Minnesota |
| Coordinates | 44°59′9″N 93°15′24″W / 44.98583°N 93.25667°WCoordinates: 44°59′9″N 93°15′24″W / 44.98583°N 93.25667°W |
| Completed | 1886 |
| Destroyed | 1940 |
| Height | |
| Roof | 240 ft (73 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 8 |
The Industrial Exposition Building was located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The building stood from 1886 to 1940 and was briefly the tallest structure in Minneapolis. In addition to smaller local exhibitions, it was the site of the 1892 Republican National Convention, the only major party convention to be held in Minnesota until the 2008 Republican National Convention.
The idea for an exposition in Minneapolis arose in 1885, when it became known that St. Paul had secured the permanent home of the Minnesota State Fair. Prominent citizens of Minneapolis such as Minneapolis Tribune owner Alden Blethen felt slighted, and an open meeting was called to gauge public support for an annual Minneapolis industrial fair, or exposition, to rival St. Paul's agricultural one. Supporters raised funds throughout the fall of 1885 and reached their goal of $250,000 on December 15.
The structure was built on the site of the Winslow House Hotel (today the area bounded by Bank Street SE, Central Avenue SE, Main Street SE, and Ortman Street SE). Designed by Isaac Hodgson, the building had eight stories. Its modified Renaissance exterior was dominated by a 240 foot corner tower. The exterior walls were masonry and the interior had metal support structures. The building's capacity was estimated at between 11,000 and 15,000.
The entire building was completed in just over three months: the cornerstone was laid on April 29, 1886 and the building was finished on August 3. On August 23rd there was a grand celebration for the opening of the new building and its first exposition. 50,000 people were estimated to have attended and much of downtown was turned over to the celebration. Local dignitaries such as Senator Cushman K. Davis and Archbishop John Ireland spoke at the dedication. US President Grover Cleveland and his wife Frances could not attend. However, they sent a congratulatory telegram that was read publicly, and then in a dramatic moment, Mrs. Cleveland touched a special button in her New York location that started all of the machinery in the building.
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