I am such a huge fan of old buildings. I'm starting to realize how much of a fan I am as I now subscribe to several social media channels that deal specifically with old and or abandoned buildings. This Owatonna building is not abandoned but it is breathtaking. Do you know what the original purpose of this building was? 

The Zamboni Building in Owatonna was built in 1880 as an "a bicycle repair and gun shop. Later on, an addition was added to the North and there were some facade changes when it became a car dealership.

The work on the outside of the building is so ornate.

Image Credit: Google Maps
Image Credit: Google Maps
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You can still see that old car dealership look to it as well.

According to the University of Minnesota, the building was designed by the same architects that built the high school in town along with the Armory in Austin and Hopkins grade and high school.

The architectural firm of Jacobson & Jacobson was founded by brothers David and Nels. David L. Jacobson was born on October 31, 1889 and Nels A. Jacobson was born in January 1892, both in Owatonna, Minnesota. They founded their architectural and engineering firm in Minneapolis in 1917. David died on October 15, 1947 and Nels in August of 1947. One of the most notable buildings designed by the firm was the Owatonna Junior-Senior High School, a neo-classical revival style, built in 1920-1921. - University of Minnesota Collection

I tried to get some more images of their work, from the U of M online library but had difficulty getting the images to download.

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