Pipestone in Pipestone County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Ferris Block

Pipestone Historic District

September 6, 2024

1. Ferris Block Marker

Inscription. Built by A.D. Ferris in 1898, this building originally housed the Ferris Grand Opera House on the upper floods, with a restaurant and retail space below. The Ferris Grand, said to be one of the finest in the Midwest, experienced both success and failure before closing in 1916. In 1917 the building was purchased by the Masonic Orders. The second floor was remodeled as a meeting hall hand uniquely decorated by Austrian artist Leo Henke. Today, Henke's murals and decorations are intact and the hall is still used by Masonic groups.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 44° 0.024′ N, 96° 19.035′ W. Marker is in Pipestone, Minnesota, in Pipestone County. It is on East Main Street east of South Hiawatha Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 E Main St, Pipestone MN 56164, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Great Plains.

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: Moore Block (a few steps from this marker); The Old City Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Calumet Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Carnegie Library

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(about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); L. H. Moore Soldier Memorial Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pipestone County Soldiers Memorial Monument (approx. 0.2 miles away); Pipestone County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rock Island Depot (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pipestone.

Also see . . .
1. 19th century opera house in small Minnesota town undergoing restoration - Bring Me The News. (Submitted on September 12, 2024.)
2. Minnesota MPS Pipestone Commercial Historic District - National Archives NextGen Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Inventory--Nomination Form (1977):

"The Masonic Temple, built in 1898, formerly was Pipestone's finest opera hall. Today it is owned and operated by the Masons. This three story vernacular structure built of Sioux quartzite has a 50 foot frontage. The facade has a checkerboard patterned frieze in alternating pieces of jasper and Sioux quartzite and a roof comb. The six windows on the third floor have jasper window sills that are corbelled out. The seven window openings on the second level, separated from the first story by a jasper beltcourse, have flat keystone arches. A sculptured head protrudes from the
September 6, 2024

2. Ferris Block & Marker
facade. Other sculpture panels appear to have been covered. The first floor has been altered and covered with an intrusive panel system.

The interior of the old opera hall has been well-preserved. Of particular interest are the stencil work, murals depicting landscape scenes and wood beams spanning the ceiling."

(Submitted on September 12, 2024.)

Ferris Block image. Click for full size.

September 6, 2024

3. Ferris Block

Credits. This page was last revised on September 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 12, 2024. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 12, 2024.