Potter/Casey Company Building
E. Minnesota Ave. between 1st and 2nd Sts., NW, Aitkin, MNThe 1902 Potter-Casey Company Building, also known as the Washington Block, housed Aitkin County's leading mercantile establishment for many years. The Potter-Casey Company dates from the early 1870s when Colonel Warren Potter established a lucrative business supplying the basic material needs of both loggers and early Aitkin residents. The firm, known as Potter & Co., eventually established a branch store in Grand Rapids and engaged in various business ventures including hotel proprietorship, steamboating on the Upper Mississippi River, real estate, and logging. The Company erected the brick office building in 1902 both to expand its Aitkin store facility and to provide needed office space for Aitkin's business community. In 1903 Potter & Co. was reorganized and the name changed to Potter-Casey Company. The firm's significant role in the Aitkin community gradually diminished following the deaths of Patrick Casey, junior partner, and general business manager, in 1910, and Potter in 1914. The Company discontinued in the late 1930s. The building ranks among the finest extant turn-of-the-century commercial structures in the region.
Local significance of the building:
Commerce
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
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The iron ore industry played a significant role in Minnesota's early development. The Mesabi Range, located in the northeastern part of the state, is one of the largest iron ore deposits in the world.
About Aitkin County
Aitkin County Timeline
Aitkin County, located in the central part of Minnesota, has a rich and varied history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally home to the Dakota and Ojibwe Native American tribes, who relied on the abundant natural resources of the region for their livelihoods. European exploration and settlement began in the 17th century, with French traders and voyageurs making their way to the area to trade furs with the Native Americans.
In the mid-19th century, the US government established a trading post in Aitkin County, which helped to facilitate further settlement in the area. The county was officially established in 1857, named after William Alexander Aitkin, a prominent fur trader in the region. The lumber industry soon became a major economic driver for the county, with numerous sawmills established along the area's rivers.
The construction of railroads in the late 19th century further spurred growth and development in Aitkin County. The county became a hub for logging and timber transportation, as well as providing a means for settlers to access the area. The county's economy diversified over time, with agriculture playing an increasingly important role alongside the timber industry.
Today, Aitkin County is a thriving community that embraces its natural beauty and history. Outdoor recreation, such as fishing, hunting, and hiking, is a popular activity in the area. The county's historical sites and museums, such as the Aitkin County Historical Society and the Aitkin Depot Museum, provide a glimpse into the area's past. Aitkin County continues to be a place where residents and visitors can appreciate the unique combination of natural resources and rich history that the region has to offer.
In the mid-19th century, the US government established a trading post in Aitkin County, which helped to facilitate further settlement in the area. The county was officially established in 1857, named after William Alexander Aitkin, a prominent fur trader in the region. The lumber industry soon became a major economic driver for the county, with numerous sawmills established along the area's rivers.
The construction of railroads in the late 19th century further spurred growth and development in Aitkin County. The county became a hub for logging and timber transportation, as well as providing a means for settlers to access the area. The county's economy diversified over time, with agriculture playing an increasingly important role alongside the timber industry.
Today, Aitkin County is a thriving community that embraces its natural beauty and history. Outdoor recreation, such as fishing, hunting, and hiking, is a popular activity in the area. The county's historical sites and museums, such as the Aitkin County Historical Society and the Aitkin Depot Museum, provide a glimpse into the area's past. Aitkin County continues to be a place where residents and visitors can appreciate the unique combination of natural resources and rich history that the region has to offer.
Aitkin County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Aitkin County, Minnesota.
- 1857: Aitkin County is established by the Minnesota Territorial Legislature.
- 1871: Aitkin becomes the county seat of Aitkin County.
- 1884: The Great Northern Railway reaches Aitkin, connecting the area to larger markets.
- 1902: The town of McGregor is incorporated in Aitkin County.
- 1903: The Soo Line Railroad reaches Aitkin, further improving transportation in the area.
- 1930s: The Great Depression brings economic hardship to Aitkin County.
- 1942: The Savanna Army Depot is established near McGregor during World War II.
- 1970s: Aitkin County experiences a period of economic growth and development.
- 1993: The Pillsbury State Forest is established in Aitkin County.
- 2016: The Mille Lacs Indian Reservation, located partially within Aitkin County, is officially recognized by the federal government.