Faribault in Rice County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
OCHS Building
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022
1. OCHS Building Marker
Founded in October 1886
by
Albert, Antone and Otto Ochs
Albert purchased stock of his brothers
and continued as
Ochs Brothers Dept. Store
Albert Ochs • 1872-1922
Sons, Donald F. Ochs • 1905-1952
Alfred L. Ochs • 1901-1969
This plaque represents over a century of active community involvement by the Ochs family members. They left a rich legacy in retailing in the Faribault area.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1886.
Location. 44° 17.726′ N, 93° 16.113′ W. Marker is in Faribault, Minnesota, in Rice County. Marker is on Central Avenue North just south of 5th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Marker is mounted at eye-level at the northeast corner of the subject building, facing Central Avenue North. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 414 Central Avenue North, Faribault MN 55021, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Downtown Faribault 1888 (within shouting distance of this marker); The Faribault Fur Trade (within shouting distance of this marker); Minnesota State Academy for the Deaf (within shouting distance of this marker); Faribault Supports the Military
this page online
Also see . . .
1. Ochs Department Store.
The facade of this Central Avenue store was obscured by metal alterations for many years, but has been recently restored to reflect its original appearance. Family-operated Ochs department stores served communities for almost 100 years at various locations in Faribault and southern Minnesota. Faribault contractor William O’Neil constructed the building.(Submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Historic Faribault Stop 13 Ochs Department Store.
In 1909, Albert bought the controlling interest of the Faribault store from his brothers, but soon after, a big new competitor moved into town. In March 1911, the W. W. Stack Company of St. Paul opened its doors in(Submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)a new commercial block built by two Faribault’s most important contractors, Patrick Gallagher and William O’Neil. A bitter retail war ensued, as Ochs fought back with ads and a wave of special sales. The battle was settled abruptly eight months later, when the local company bought out the Stack Department Store, including its complete inventory and the lease to this building. Ochs moved quickly into its new home, just in time for the Christmas shopping season in 1911.Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 20222. OCHS Building Marker(marker is mounted at north [right] edge of the front facade) Through the years, the store gained a reputation not only as a great place to shop, but also as a good place to work — especially since they offered employment for women as retail salespeople. The last active family member was Verna Ochs, the wife of Alfred. Following his death in 1969, she took over management of the company, one of only five women in the country to serve as president of a department store at the time.
In recent years, the State Bank of Faribault restored the building to reflect its original appearance.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, September 3, 2022
3. OCHS Building (east/front elevation)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 15, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 15, 2022, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
