History of the Commercial District in Downtown Old Town Mankato

1
History of the Commercial District in Downtown/
Old Town Mankato
2
The Regulators

• Matt Killam
• Jared Klatt
• Kelsey Klein
• Stacey McGuire
• Stacey Nordling
• Bobby Oberg
• Cori Ryan
• Josh Sletten

3
Introduction

• Everyone has a born on date
• Change happens
• Report today will be

4
Mankato Old Opera House

• 209 S. Second Street
• Originally German Amateur Society
• Constructed by J.H.Hartman Harmonia Hall
• A. Newmeyer Academy of Arts
• September 1878, Chambers brothers Mankato Opera
  House

5
Mankato Old Opera House

• 1882 fire, rebuilt months later
• Renovated and refurnished
• Razed in 1931
• Famous musical acts
• Political rallies and public speaking

6
Earl Johnson Furniture Store

• Located on the corner of Cherry St. and 2nd St.
• Old town Mankato
• First building- bus depot
• Second building- tractor part store

7
Earl Johnson Furniture Store

• Locally owned furniture store
• Sells many popular brands of furniture at low
  prices

8
Multi-Church Center

• History of multi-church center buildings
• Reasons for building a new building
• Impacts on the ministry of each church

9
Multi-Church Center

• Unique in many respects and received much
  publicity
• Effectiveness in serving God and his people
• Members of committee were happy with the church
  concept

10
Mettlers

• 1903
• 117 S. Front Street
• Famous for hot beef sandwich
• Dancers came in 1966
• Frank Mettler was first owner
• Happy hour 530-700
• 1977- urban renewal

11
Mettlers

• Full range menu
• Change of dancers
• Mike Maes new owner
• Dancers, beer, and food change with the times

12
Beckys Floral

• Location 626 S. 2nd Street
• Built in 1870
• Italianate architectural style
• Example of adaptive reuse

13
Beckys Floral

• Built for Edwin P. Kelly and family, co-owner and
  manager of towns mortuary
• Later became rental property
• Mid 1960s was taken over by A C Johnson Paint
  Company
• Today is the home of Beckys Floral

14
Blue Earth County Courthouse

• Location
• Center of downtown Mankato
• 4th Street and Hickory St.
• Constructed in 1866, finished in 1889
• Romanesque architectural style (slow-burning
  construction) wood for finishing
• Renovations
• Copper statue of Lady Justice
• Clock tower added in 1990
• Two-phase renovation

15
Blue Earth County Courthouse

• Construction controversy
• Mankato vs. Garden City in county seat decision
• Two votes from Mankato 5 from Garden City
• Land surveyed in 1854, sat untouched
• Judge side with commissions 23,000/ year
• Stall of construction
• 2nd vote YES by 53 votes
• Finished inside in October 1889
• Building opened without any public ceremony

16
Blue Earth County Courthouse

• Abnormal discoveries
• Mural painted
• 1930s
• Man and angel
• Probation office
• Cow bone
• Between walls
• Attic
• Names of original workers

17
Conclusion

• How does this apply to me?
• The more you know, the more you appreciate your
  town
• Game shows, old downtown, opera, courthouse
• THE END