Avalon Music facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Avalon Music
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Avalon Music
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 301 North Broadway, Rochester, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1919 |
| Architect | Ellerbe Architects |
| NRHP reference No. | 82002992 |
| Added to NRHP | March 19, 1982 |
Avalon Music is an old, three-story red brick building in Rochester, Minnesota. It has a long and interesting history. It started as a hotel and later became a music store. Today, it is being updated for new uses.
Contents
The Story of Avalon Music
Early Days as Northwestern Hotel
The building first opened in 1919. It was called the Northwestern Hotel. A family named Sternberg ran it. They made sure it was a welcoming place for Jewish travelers. Many of their guests were visiting the nearby Mayo Clinic.
A Place for Everyone: The Avalon Hotel
In 1944, a new owner named Vern Manning bought the hotel. He changed its name to the Avalon Hotel. This hotel was special because it welcomed all people. At a time when many places separated people based on their race, the Avalon Hotel welcomed African American guests. Famous people like jazz musician Duke Ellington and boxer Henry Armstrong stayed there.
The hotel also had the Avalon Café. This was one of the few restaurants in Rochester where people of all backgrounds could eat together. Because it welcomed everyone, the Avalon Hotel became an important place during the Civil Rights Movement. People who supported equal rights held a march there on August 23, 1963. However, there were also people who opposed these changes, and they showed their disagreement at the property on the same day.
From Music Store to Modern Space
The building changed again in 1987. After some renovations, it became Hamilton Music. This new business had studios for musicians. It also sold musical instruments and sound equipment.
In 2008, the building got a new owner. It was renamed Avalon Music to honor its long history. Starting in 2018, work began to change the building once more. The plan is to turn it into a restaurant, office spaces, and apartments.
