Eveleth Recreation Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Eveleth Recreation Building
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The Eveleth Recreation Building from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Garfield Street and Adams Avenue, Eveleth, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1918 |
| NRHP reference No. | 80004344 |
| Added to NRHP | November 25, 1980 |
The Eveleth Recreation Building in Eveleth, Minnesota, is a really old and important building. It was built in 1918 as a place for sports and fun. Later, it became a factory that made shirts! Today, it's used for storage. This building shows how the city of Eveleth changed over time.
Contents
A Place for Sports and Fun
When the Eveleth Recreation Building was first built in 1918, it was a big deal. The city of Eveleth had lots of money from the Mesabi Range mining boom. Many men came to work in the mines, so the city wanted a place for them to relax and play sports.
Original Design
The building was designed with sports in mind. On the ground floor, there was a curling rink. Curling is a sport played on ice where players slide stones towards a target. On the second floor, there was an ice hockey rink. Eveleth quickly became famous for its hockey players and teams. One well-known team was the Eveleth Reds.
More Than Just Ice
When it wasn't cold enough for ice sports, the building was still busy. In the warmer months, people came to roller skate. They also held public dances there. It was a true community hub for fun and activities.
From Sports to Shirts
As the city of Eveleth changed, so did the building. In the 1930s, more women lived in Eveleth. There was a need for jobs for women. So, the building was changed into a factory. This helped the local economy by adding different types of jobs.
A New Purpose
After World War II, a company called Cluett Peabody & Company took over the building. They remodeled it to make shirts and underwear for their famous Arrow brand. This factory provided many jobs for people in Eveleth.
What It Is Now
Arrow shirt production stopped in Eveleth in 1978. After that, a furniture company used the building for a while. As of 2019, the building is used to store cars and boats. It's still a useful building, even if its purpose has changed many times!
Why This Building Is Important
The Eveleth Recreation Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means it's recognized as a very important historical site. It's special for a few reasons.
Supporting the Community
First, it shows how cities supported fun activities during a time called the Progressive Era. Cities wanted to provide good places for people to spend their free time. This building was the first modern sports facility of its kind in the Mesabi Range area.
Changing Times
Second, the building shows how the Iron Range's economy and population changed. It started as a place for miners to play. Then, it became a factory that created jobs for women. This shows how the area adapted and grew over the years.
