Kahlert Mercantile Store facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kahlert Mercantile Store
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The Kahlert Mercantile Store from the northwest
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 545 Main Street S., Browerville, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Vernacular |
| NRHP reference No. | 85001997 |
| Designated | September 5, 1985 |
The Kahlert Mercantile Store is a very old and important building in Browerville, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1883. This was when Browerville was just starting to grow because a new railroad line was built nearby.
The building is made of wood and has a special "false front" design. It had a shop on the first floor where people could buy things. Upstairs, there was a big room used as a community meeting hall. The store was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's a special place because it shows how towns grew around railroads in Minnesota. It's also a great example of a common type of building from that time.
Contents
What the Kahlert Store Looks Like
The Kahlert Mercantile Store is a two-story building made of wood. It measures about 25 feet wide and 82 feet long. It has a flat, squared-off front that looks taller than the building itself. This "false front" style was very common in towns back in the 1800s.
Unlike many buildings of its kind, the second floor of the Kahlert Store is a full story tall. This was to make enough space for the meeting hall upstairs. The building does not have a basement. Its outside walls are covered with wooden boards called clapboard siding. It also has windows with two panes of glass, one above the other, that can slide up and down.
Changes to the Building Over Time
There used to be a small porch or balcony sticking out from the front of the building. This balcony was taken down around 1910. It was probably removed to make improvements to the street or sidewalk nearby. The only other big change to the outside is a sliding garage door. This door was added near the back of the building's north side.
How the Store Came to Be
The Kahlert Mercantile Store was started by two brothers, William and Ferdinand Kahlert. They were among the first people to settle in Todd County, Minnesota. They arrived in 1870 and first lived on a farm in Hartford Township, Todd County, Minnesota.
The Railroad and a New Town
In 1882, a railroad company built a new train line nearby. This line was mainly for moving timber (wood) owned by the railroad. But it also helped new towns pop up along its path, like Browerville. Before this, a small village was already forming in Hartford Township. However, most business owners quickly moved their shops to the new town next to the train tracks. The Kahlert brothers also moved their business in 1883.
Running a Successful Business
Their new building was at the corner of Main Street and 6th Street. It had the same "false-front" style as many other early buildings in Browerville. The brothers ran a general store and a grocery shop on the first floor. Even though there were other similar stores in town, the Kahlerts did very well. They even bought the building next door by 1900 to make their store bigger.
The meeting hall they set up on the second floor became a popular spot. People used it for local gatherings, social events, and even church services. It was a very important place for the community.
