208 4th Avenue Northwest
Austin, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Cook-Hormel House ( John F. Cook/George A. Hormel House)

Statement of Significance:

The Cook-Hormel House is significant for its association with John Cook, Austin Mayor and businessman and George Hormel, founder of Geo. Hormel and Company, a nationwide meat packer and processor and as one of the most visually distinctive residences in Austin.

John Cook, first owner of the house, was born in Malone, New York in 1823 and settled permanently in Austin in 1864. Active in business and civic affairs. Cook served as mayor in 1870 and 1874. It was during his first term in office that he built the house.

In 1901, George Hormel bought the house. Hormel, born in New York in 1860, was raised in Toledo. He moved to Austin in 1887 after working as a buyer in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota for Oberne, Hosick and Company, a hide, wool, and fur company.

Tired of being on the road for seven years, Hormel bought a meat market in Austin in 1887 in partnership with A.L. Friedrich. Never thinking of himself as a meat retailer, Hormel, dissolved his relationship with Friedrich in 1892 and began the operation of a small slaughtering plant in a former creamery.

In 1901 the Geo. A. Hormel & Co. was incorporated with Hormel serving as president until his retirement in 1928. Under his leadership a handful of local workers grew to over 8,000 employees nationwide with slaughtering operations, distribution plants and sales offices located across the United States and in four foreign countries. The annual sales of one-half billion dollars makes Hormel and Co. the fifth largest meat packer and processor in the United States.

In 1928 George and Belle Hormel retired to Beverly Hills and at Belle's suggestion presented their home to the YWCA. Belle saw to the house's maintenance and in 1939 made provision for the construction of an addition for the Girl Scouts.

Although the Hormel's died in 1946, the house has remained with the two organizations. The house remains a visible link to the nationally recognized meat packing industry developed by Hormel and to the philanthropic activities of Mr. and Mrs. Hormel.