1006 West Lake: The Buzza Building

The Museum in the Streets: Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Uptown: Minneapolis' Lake District

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Photographed by McGhiever, October 22, 2023

1. 1006 West Lake: The Buzza Building Marker

The Self-Threading Needle Company built the building at 1006 West Lake Street in 1907. The Buzza Company, a greeting card and art publishing company, purchased it in 1923, and quickly expanded it by adding two additions and a six-story tower upon which "Buzza" was emblazoned. By the late 1920s, Buzza had become the nation's second-largest greeting card company, employing several hundred workers. It was well known for sponsoring employee sports teams. Buzza's fortunes sank during the Great Depression and went out of business in 1942. The federal government acquired the building for use by the War Department, Veterans Administration, and Minnesota military district, earning it the nickname "Little Pentagon." The Minneapolis Public Schools acquired the building in 1971. In 2012, the building was converted to housing.

La Self-Threading Needle Company construyó el edificio en 1006 West Lake Street en 1907. The Buzza Company, empresa de tarjetas y editorial de arte, la compró en 1923, expandiéndola al sumarle dos annexos y una torre de seis pisos donde se grabó "Buzza". Al terminar los años 20, Buzza se convirtió

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en la segunda empresa de tarjetas más grande del país, con cientos de empleados. Era conocido por patrocinar equipos deportivos de empleados. Perdió su suerte durante la Gran Depresión y cerró en 1942. El gobierno federal adquirió el edificio para el uso del Departamento de Guerra, Administración de Veteranos, y el distrito militar de Minnesota, así siendo apodado "Little Pentagon." En 1971 el edificio fue adquirido por las Minneapolis Public Schools. En 2012 se convirtió en viviendas.

The Buzza Company girl's kittenball team at the Parade Grounds, ca. 1925
Equipo femenino de sóftbol (en aquel etonces "kittenball") de The Buzza Company en la Plaza de Armas ca. 1925
 
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®, Lake Street Council. (Marker Number 6.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Education • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Minneapolis, Minnesota series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1907.
 
Location. 44° 56.898′ N, 93° 17.507′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota,

Photographed by McGhiever, October 22, 2023

2. Marker at the southeast corner of Lake and Colfax, facing the Buzza Building

in Hennepin County. It is in Calhoun Isles. It is at the intersection of W. Lake Street and Colfax Avenue S., on the right when traveling east on W. Lake Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 923 W Lake Street, Minneapolis MN 55408, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 925 West Lake Street: The Minneapolis Mercantile Company (a few steps from this marker); Building the Corridor (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street/Crowell Building (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2916 Lyndale Avenue: James J. Ballentine VFW Post 246 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Grade Separation Project (1912–16)

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); 609 West Lake Street: Schatzlein Saddle Shop / Calle West Lake 609: Tienda de Monturas Schaltzlein (approx. ¼ mile away); 2924 Hennepin Avenue: Abdallah's (approx. 0.3 miles away); Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street/Uptown (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on April 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 753 times since then and 94 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.