BUILDING COMMISSION:

The State Building Commission was established by the Minnesota Legislature in 1929 (Laws 1929 c309) to supervise the construction of a new state office building. The commission had seven members, appointed by the governor and serving without compensation, except for reimbursement of expenses. Governor Theodore Christianson named R. W. Hitchcock, Hibbing; Gustaf Widell, Mankato; Sumner T. McKnight, Minneapolis; Walter Butler, St. Paul; A. J. Peterson, Dawson; H. W. Austin, St. Paul; and Henry Rines, Mora to the commission on May 3, 1929. Hitchcock was elected chairman and Rines secretary.

The commission considered two proposed St. Paul sites, one on University Avenue between Park Avenue and Capitol Boulevard, and one on the corner of Wabasha Street and Park Avenue. Controversy over the proposed sites caused the commission to refer the decision back to the 1931 Legislature for settlement. In August 1931, Governor Floyd B. Olson replaced Hitchcock, Widell, and McKnight with Elwin H. Berg, Eveleth; Oscar Subby, Albert Lea; and Walfrid Engdahl, Minneapolis. Walter Butler succeeded R. W. Hitchcock as chairman.

After the commission finally decided on the Wabasha Street site, construction contracts were awarded in November, 1931. Clarence H. Johnston of St. Paul was the architect and J. H. Hoffman assisted by John K. Knutson were the building superintendents. The Pillsbury Engineering Company of Minneapolis designed the mechanical components of the building. Walter W. Magee of St. Paul was awarded the general construction contract. Construction began in November, 1931, with the cornerstone laid on May 4, 1932. Work was completed in November, 1932.

As part of the same project, the heating and power plant for the state Capitol (which provided power to the office building) was renovated and expanded. Certain offices in the Capitol building also were renovated at this time.

Written by: Richard Arpi, 1992

Return to top

The administrative records include commission minutes; budgets, expenses, and audit reports; reports, including one on capitol approaches by Cass Gilbert; and correspondence of commission secretary Henry Rines.

The construction files include a questionnaire sent to other states; correspondence, descriptions, appraisals, and related records covering proposed sites and purchase of the Wabasha Street property; and building specifications and bids from architect C. H. Johnston, general contractor Walter W. Magee, and several subcontractors. There are also blueprints of floor plans, specific offices, and some other details; files covering sub-contractors for the engine-generator of the State Capitol Power Plant (1932); and miscellaneous construction files, including a daily construction log, City of St. Paul street changes, a survey of departments for assignment of space, and State Capitol alterations.

Return to top

In two subseries: Administrative records (1929-1933) and State Office Building construction files (1928-1932).

Return to top

Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota. State Building Commission. Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 253

Processing Information:

Catalog ID number: 990017289120104294

Return to top

Administration Department: Plant Management Division. State Office building drawings (cataloged separately).

Return to top

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

Air conditioning -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Specifications.

Elevators -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Specifications.

Fire sprinklers -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Specifications.

Public buildings -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Designs and plans.

Public buildings -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul -- Specifications.

Streets -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.

Persons:

Gilbert, Cass, 1859-1934.

Johnston, Clarence H. (Clarence Howard), 1859-1936.

Magee, Walter W.

Rines, Henry, 1872-1950.

Organizations:

Minnesota State Capitol (Saint Paul, Minn. : 1905- ) -- Construction and restoration.

State Office Building (Saint Paul, Minn.).

Places:

Minnesota -- Capital and capitol.

Saint Paul (Minn.) -- Public buildings.

Document Types:

Blueprints.

Drawings.

Plats -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.

Specifications.

Return to top