Set of architectural drawings shows both exterior and interior features of the Nicollet Hotel in St. Peter. The hotel opened in 1873 as the Nicollet House, and was one of the finest hotels in southern Minnesota. Edward P. Bassford was the hotel's architect. The building ceased to be used as a hotel in 1974. Saved from impending demolition following the 1998 tornado in St. Peter, the building survived to become an apartment building, as well as the home of various businesses.
Looking to the south along South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, the Nicollet Hotel is visible as the tallest building on the right side of this photograph. The undated photo was taken prior to the 1887 fire that destroyed many of the buildings that are shown.
The appearance of South Minnesota Avenue has changed considerably since this photograph, which looks to the north from a location between Nassau and Grace Streets, was taken in 1968 in St. Peter, Minnesota.
Buildings along the west side of the 100 block of South Front Street are shown after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The photo was taken from Levee Park, near the Park Row intersection.
The spire of Christ Chapel at Gustavus Adolphus College was knocked over by a tornado that caused extensive damage in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo, which looks to the west, and was taken near the intersection of South Seventh Street and College Avenue, also shows the first building to be constructed on the college campus, Old Main.
A number of structures in the vicinity of the intersection of North Fourth and West Chestnut Streets were destroyed in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This view looks mainly to the north from the intersection.
The severely damaged home of George Lesnar at 302 South Washington Avenue is visible beyond a damaged station wagon after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota.
The Mark and Judith Ahlstrom home at 202 North Third Street suffered extensive damage from a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house was later restored. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Ritt's Electric Center, the Skelly Service Station, and the State Theatre are among the businesses that have disappeared since this 1968 photograph was taken. The view looks to the south along South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, from a location between West Nassau and West Grace Streets.
These apartments along West Jefferson Avenue were severely damaged in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The Arboretum at Gustavus Adolphus College is across the avenue to the north.
Property at 522 North Minnesota Avenue is shown at the far left in this photo taken after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The pink house in the distance is at 520 North Third Street.
Willard and Odelia Hoehn lost their home at 522 West Evenson Street in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo looks to the east from North Washington Avenue.
The severely damaged house to the right of the center of this photo was located on the west side of South Fourth Street prior to a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The photo was taken from West Skaro Street, near its intersection with Fourth.
A large amount of debris from a March 1998 tornado accumulated on Park Row, between South Front Street and South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, including a crumpled grain bin. The crane visible in the distance is beside the Nicollet Hotel on the Avenue.
In March of 1998, the Community Center, which was originally constructed as a high school, was destroyed by a tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo was taken from South Washington Avenue at its intersection with West Nassau Street.
An amphibious vehicle can be seen heading westward along the flooded Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951. The Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue is along the left side of the photo, and the Mission Covenant Church at 215 Belgrade Avenue is at the far right. Texaco and Pure service stations can be seen in the distance, closer to the Minnesota River.
These homes along Center Street, across from the Tanley Field ballpark in North Mankato, Minnesota, had severe damage from the flood water of the Minnesota River in 1951.
The grain elevators of the Hubbard Milling Company in Mankato, Minnesota, can be seen in the lower right corner of this 1951 aerial photograph. The bridge across the flooded Minnesota River connected Mankato with North Mankato. Most of North Mankato, which suffered extensive flood damage, is visible in the distance.
The old water tower was removed not long after the new water tower was constructed in the early 1900s in Nicollet, Minnesota. This postcard shows both of the water towers.
These houses along Center Street in North Mankato, Minnesota, were flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951. Part of the Tanley Field ballpark can be seen at the far right of the photo.
The Municipal Building at 443 Belgrade Avenue and Howard Helgerson's service station at 503 Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, Minnesota, were among the many businesses and residences that were flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951.
Much of North Mankato, Minnesota, was flooded by the Minnesota River in 1951, as can be seen in this aerial photo. The Tanley Field ballpark is visible in the upper left quadrant of the photo, and the grain elevators of the Hubbard Milling Company in Mankato, Minnesota appear in the upper right corner.
Boats were used for transportation in flooded North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951. The spire of the Mission Covenant Church at 215 Belgrade Avenue can be seen in the distance. The Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue is visible at the far right side of the photo. Most of the city was flooded by the Minnesota River that year.
This aerial photo shows the business district along Belgrade Avenue as well as portions of the residential sections of North Mankato, Minnesota. The city was among a number of communities that suffered extensive damage from flood water from the Minnesota River in 1951. The large building at the far left side of the photo was the Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue.
The Marigold Dairy at 216 to 220 Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato, Minnesota, was one of many buildings flooded in that community and in other communities in 1951 by high water levels along the length of the Minnesota River.
The Public School, located on the northeast corner of the intersection of Belgrade Avenue and Center Street, was one of many structures affected by flood water from the Minnesota River in 1951 in North Mankato, Minnesota.
Taken from the bank of the flooded Minnesota River, this photo shows the bridge that connected North Mankato, Minnesota, with the city of Mankato in 1951. Across the river, the Saulpaugh Hotel and other buildings in Mankato can be seen, as well as a portion of the railroad depot.
St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired. This photo shows the east front and the north side of the church. At the far left, a portion of the John Ireland School building can be seen south of the church.
The St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church at 427 West Mulberry Street was severely damaged by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. A new church was soon constructed on the same site. This photo, taken from Gorman Park, shows the south front and the west side of the damaged church.
Taken from the west side of Gorman Park, this photo looks to the north toward the remains of the Arts and Heritage Center and the Community Center beyond it in St. Peter, Minnesota. Both buildings, originally constructed as high schools, were damaged beyond repair in a March 1998 tornado.
The St. Peter Public Library at 101 West Nassau Street was destroyed by a March 1998 tornado that caused extensive damage in many parts of St. Peter, Minnesota.
Richard and Marlene Witty suffered extensive damage to their home at 318 South Washington Avenue in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house to the south, at left in this photograph, was completely destroyed.
A tornado in March of 1998 destroyed the white house at 402 North Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota. To the north can be seen a blue house at 420 North Minnesota Avenue.
Standing in the rubble of the gymnasium of the Community Center, a news crew from KARE11 Television interviews a resident after a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. South Washington Avenue is to the left of the cameraman, who is pointing his camera toward West Nassau Street.
This house at 522 North Minnesota Avenue was damaged so severely by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired.
The remains of the Arts and Heritage Center at 320 South Fifth Street are shown after a tornado damaged many structures in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The building was constructed in 1870 as the community's first high school. This photograph shows the west side of the building.
The home of Willard and Odelia Hoehn at 522 West Evenson Street in St. Peter, Minnesota, was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998. This photo was taken near the intersection of West Evenson and North Washington Avenue. The roof and the west side of the Hoehn home were removed by the strong wind.
A tornado in March of 1998 destroyed the Arts and Heritage Center in St. Peter, Minnesota. Originally constructed as the community's first high school in 1870, it was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Fifth and West Grace Streets, facing Grace. The building to the right was built in 1907 as a more modern high school. It served as the Community Center in 1998.
A crumpled grain bin lies among other debris on Park Row, between South Front Street and South Minnesota Avenue after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. A crane is in use at the Nicollet Hotel, which is visible in the distance across the avenue.
A large amount of debris is visible in front of a house on the west side of the 600 block of North Minnesota Avenue after a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The white house in the center of the photo was at 522 North Minnesota Avenue.
The Community Center was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota, that it was not able to be repaired. The narrow east front of the building on the 300 block of South Fifth Street and the long section on the south side of West Nassau Street are shown in this photograph.
This house on North Third Street was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. A portion of the municipal swimming pool building can be seen in the distance at the far left.
The remains of the Arts and Heritage Center at 320 South Fifth Street are visible at the far right after a tornado damaged many structures in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The building in the background was then being used as the Community Center. Both buildings were originally constructed as high schools.
A home that was located on the southeast corner of the intersection of North Fourth and West Chestnut Streets was completely destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. Other houses shown in this photo on the west side of North Fourth Street survived, including those at 110 North Fourth, 116 North Fourth, and 122 North Fourth.
From left to right, the following businesses are shown in flooded North Mankato, Minnesota, in 1951: the Urban Cafe and the Urban Lanes bowling alleys at 243 to 247 Belgrade Avenue, the Jaehn and Buck barber shop at 249 Belgrade Avenue, the R and J Liquor Store at 253 Belgrade Avenue, and Spinner's Bar at 301 Belgrade Avenue. Most of the city was flooded by the Minnesota River that year.
St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street was damaged so severely in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota that it was not able to be repaired. This photo shows the east side of the church.
The west end of the Community Center, which contained a gymnasium, lost its roof in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The structures on that block, bordered by South Washington Avenue and West Nassau, South Fifth, and West Grace Streets, were damaged beyond repair.
Looking northward from the west end of the Community Center, two members of the National Guard are shown surrounded by debris from a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. The St. Peter Community Hospital is visible at the far left.
The Arts and Heritage Center, originally constructed in 1870 as the city's first high school, was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was located on the northwest corner of the intersection of South Fifth and West Grace Streets, facing Grace. The building at the far right was built in 1907 as a more modern high school. It was being used as the Community Center when the tornado destroyed it.
The white house at 402 North Minnesota Avenue was completely destroyed in a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The blue house in the distance is at 420 North Minnesota Avenue.
The American Legion Post 37, the Flame Bar, Johnson & Hoehn LTD, Pell's Insurance and Real Estate, the Brandt Law Office, and the Dahleen and O'Brien Dental Office along the north side of the 200 block of West Nassau Street were among many structures that suffered varying degrees of damage from a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota.
The home of Mark and Judith Ahlstrom at 202 North Third Street was extensively damaged by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. The house, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was later restored.
The lumber yard of the St. Peter Lumber Company was extensively damaged in March of 1998 by a tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. This photo was taken from the east side of the 200 block of South Front Street, looking across Front Street.
Looking across Gorman Park from West Grace Street, the severely damaged St. Peter's Catholic Church at 600 South Fifth Street is visible in the distance after a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. A Community Center was later constructed on the site.
The St. Peter Evangelical Lutheran Church at 427 West Mulberry Street was severely damaged by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. A new church was soon constructed on the same site. The trees at the far right were in Gorman Park.
The spire of the Nicollet County Courthouse was destroyed by a tornado in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota. From left to right on the east side of South Minnesota Avenue are the following buildings: the former Armory, the former St. Peter Public Library, the Courthouse, and the Nicollet County Jail.
The historic E. St. Julien Cox house at 500 North Minnesota Avenue, owned by the Nicollet County Historical Society, was damaged in a March 1998 tornado in St. Peter, Minnesota. It was repaired and continues to be used for various functions by the Society. The Cox family's carriage house to the north was also repaired.
This photograph shows people waiting at the railroad depot near St. Peter, Minnesota, for the train that will take area men away to serve in World War One. This depot served St. Peter, but was located in Le Sueur County, on the east side of the Minnesota River.
The interior of the Union Presbyterian Church in St. Peter, Minnesota, is shown in this stereograph. The church, which has been extensively remodeled inside, faces South Third Street on the northwestern corner of the intersection with West Locust Street.
The south end of the Americinn Motel at 700 North Minnesota Avenue is shown in this photo after a tornado caused considerable damage to the building in March of 1998 in St. Peter, Minnesota.
The Consolidated School in Nicollet, Minnesota, was a familiar sight to generations of students. The decision to consolidate district schools in the Nicollet area and to construct this school building was made in 1916. The building was demolished in 1985.
Operators at the New Sweden Telephone Exchange used this switchboard while they served their customers. The exchange was located in New Sweden, Minnesota.
Superintendent Samuel E. Shantz, steward George W. Dryer, druggist Daniel J. Shaw, and two other individuals, all of whom were associated with the St. Peter State Hospital in St. Peter, Minnesota, appear in this photograph.
This Consolidated School in Nicollet, Minnesota, was used for many years. Constructed following the consolidation of district schools in 1916, the building was demolished in 1985.
This house at 402 South Fourth Street in St. Peter, Minnesota, was originally owned by William Schimmel, a local businessman who also served as the president of the First National Bank from 1871 to 1889.
Buildings along Third Street in Nicollet, Minnesota, are shown in this postcard from the 1960s. The view looks to the east from a location near the Ash Street intersection.
The Nicollet Creamery Association that served people in the Nicollet, Minnesota, area began in 1896. The original building, shown on this postcard, was constructed that year.
The railroad tracks on the right side of this wide postcard go into Nicollet, Minnesota. Both residential and commercial buildings can be seen. From left to right, the creamery, the old water tower, the roof of the public school, two church spires, and a grain elevator are among the visible structures. A large smokestack of an unidentified business can be seen between the church spires and the elevator.
Construction of this St. Peter's Evangelical Lutheran Church in St. Peter, Minnesota, began in 1869. A new church was constructed on the same site at 427 West Mulberry Street in 1923, and another in 1998 after the destruction of the 1923 church by a tornado in March of 1998.
Several churches in Nicollet, Minnesota, are shown on this postcard. Trinity Lutheran Church is in the upper left corner. The Friedens Church is in the foreground in the upper right corner. To its left is the Methodist or Zion Evangelical United Brethren Church. The one in the distance is the Lutheran Church. The Church of St. Paul is shown in the lower right corner of this postcard.
The home of merchant Stephen Schumacher at 202 North Third Street in St. Peter, Minnesota, dominates most of this photograph. The original Lincoln School, located on the north side of West Chestnut Street, between North Third and North Fourth Streets, can be seen at the far left. The school was destroyed by a fire in January of 1913.
The Union Presbyterian Church faces South Third Street on the northwestern corner of the intersection with West Locust Street in St. Peter, Minnesota. The building on the right was once the home of the ministers who served the church.
Located at 319 South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, Peterson Brothers Billiards and Bowling was in existence for many years. Residents remember a large sign in the shape of a bowling pin attached to the front of the building.
A portion of the business district in Lafayette, Minnesota, is shown in this postcard view of the community that was taken after a severe fire destroyed several businesses in 1908. The people at the center of the bottom of the postcard were on the south side of Main Street.
The New Sweden Feed Store began as a general store, but had been converted to a feed store by the time this 1985 photograph was taken in New Sweden, Minnesota.
Part of the business district in Lafayette, Minnesota, is shown in this postcard. This photograph was taken after several businesses were destroyed in a fire in 1908.
The firm of Lund and Lindquist was in the grocery and dry goods business in Lafayette, Minnesota, from 1915 until the partnership was dissolved in 1931.
The Peterson Brothers Billiards and Bowling establishment at 319 South Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter, Minnesota, operated for many years. A sign in the shape of a large bowling pin was a prominent feature on the front of the building.