Bandana Square facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Northern Pacific Railway Company Como Shops Historic District
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Bandana Square: steam locomotive and water tower enhancing the railroad theme
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Energy Park Dr. and Bandana Blvd. Saint Paul, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1885 |
| NRHP reference No. | 83000937 |
| Added to NRHP | March 31, 1983 |
Bandana Square in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a cool office center today. But it has a long and interesting past! It used to be the Como Shop for the Northern Pacific Railway, where trains were fixed. Later, it was planned to be a big shopping mall in the Energy Park area. This historic spot is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Story of Bandana Square
Bandana Square first opened its doors in 1984. Before that, it was a huge workshop for the Northern Pacific Railway. Imagine a place where giant steam engines and train cars were repaired!
From Train Shop to Shopping Center
The old Como Shops were transformed into a large shopping and hotel complex. Many different groups helped make this happen. Railroad companies, the government, and private donations all worked together.
When Bandana Square first opened, it was a lively place. It had many restaurants and shops. A Best Western hotel and conference center is still there today. One famous spot was the Dakota Jazz Club and Restaurant. Another popular place was Dino's, a Greek fast-food chain. Dino's had its first year-round restaurant here!
Changes Over the Years
The Wilder Foundation bought the center in 1983. They paid $17 million for it. However, the project became very expensive for them. By 1989, the foundation had lost a lot of money. They needed help from the Saint Paul Port Authority.
The Port Authority took over the center in March 1989. They sold it to new investors for $3 million. These investors tried to make it a popular shopping and entertainment spot again. Later, Wellington Management bought the center in 2003. They paid $6.1 million for it. By 2006, Bandana Square was completely changed into an office center.
Fun Museums That Called Bandana Square Home
Bandana Square was also home to some cool museums for a while.
Minnesota Children's Museum
The Minnesota Children's Museum was located near Bandana Square. It was there from 1985 until 1995. Then, it moved to Downtown Saint Paul.
Twin City Model Railroad Museum
The Twin City Model Railroad Museum was inside Bandana Square itself! It was there from 1984 until 2016. This museum was the last original tenant from the shopping and entertainment days. It moved to a new location in St. Paul.
See also
- Galtier Plaza, another interesting development in Saint Paul
- Saint Anthony Main, a similar area in Minneapolis
