309 Bush St
Red Wing, MN, USA

National Register of Historic Places - Gladstone Building

Statement of Significance:

The Gladstone Building is significant as a well preserved nineteenth century commercial building of local limestone. Built in 1886 by James Lawther, a prominent Red Wing citizen, this massive stone building has been an important element in Red Wing's business district for ninety-five years.

The Gladstone Building was built during a time when Red Wing was experiencing steady growth in population and was settling into its identity as a manufacturing center in southeastern Minnesota. It was built to meet the needs of this growing community. The building has continuously provided space for local professionals and local businesses. It has served the community in other capacities as well; during the 1890s it housed the first reading room of the Red Wing Public Library and the Red Wing Commercial College and School of Shorthand and during the early twentieth century it housed the Red Wing Elks club. Local newspapers list this building as the meeting place for numerous local organizations during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Its prominent downtown location, "modern" facilities, and ample space made it well suited to serve this function.

As Red Wing's outstanding nineteenth century commercial building of local stone and a prominent element in Red Wing's business streetscape for ninety-five years, the Gladstone Building is worthy of preservation.