James J. Hill Center facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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James J. Hill Center
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 80 W. 4th St. St. Paul, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Electus D. Litchfield |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001017 |
| Added to NRHP | September 11, 1975 |
The James J. Hill Center was once a special library in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was a place where people could go to research business topics for free. This beautiful building was also used for events. Sadly, it closed its doors in 2019 because it cost too much to keep running. The building was later put up for sale.
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What Was the James J. Hill Center?
The James J. Hill Center was originally known as the James J. Hill Reference Library. It was a private library focused on business research. People could visit the library and use its many resources without paying.
A Library for Business Research
For many years, the James J. Hill Center was a hub for learning. It offered valuable information for anyone interested in business. Besides being a library, it also hosted many business and social events. These events took place in its grand, historic reading room.
The Legacy of James J. Hill
The library was part of the lasting impact of James J. Hill. He was a very important person in Minnesota's history. Even though the building was finished after he passed away, his family made sure his dream came true. His wife, Mary T. Hill, and their children helped pay for the library.
Building and Recognition
The James J. Hill Center was completed in 1916. It was designed by the architect Electus D. Litchfield. The building's style is called Renaissance, which means it looks like old European buildings. Because of its importance and beautiful design, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. This means it is recognized as a special historical site.
Why Did It Close?
On July 3, 2019, the James J. Hill Center announced it would close. The main reasons were high operating costs and the need for major repairs. It was no longer possible to keep the library open to the public. Later that year, in November 2019, the center decided to sell the building.
