The James J. Hill Center (originally the James J. Hill Reference Library[2]) was a privately funded business research library at 80 West Fourth Street in Saint Paul, Minnesota. On July 3, 2019, the library closed to the public citing unsustainable operating costs and needed capital improvements.[3] Until 2019 it was open to the public and its resources could be used for free on site. In addition, the Center hosted business and social events in its historic reading room. On November 18, 2019, the center announced it had put the building up for sale.[4] The library is part of the civic legacy of James J. Hill. In June 2021, the Minneapolis-based company First & First bought the building with the intent for it to be used as an event center.[5]
James J. Hill Center | |
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| Location | 80 W. 4th St. St. Paul, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°56′38.17″N 93°5′48.16″W / 44.9439361°N 93.0967111°W |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | Electus D. Litchfield |
| Architectural style | Renaissance |
| NRHP reference No. | 75001017[1] |
| Added to NRHP | September 11, 1975 |
The James J. Hill Center was completed after his death and funded by his widow, Mary T. Hill, and children Mary Hill, Rachel Hill Boeckmann, Clara Hill Lindley, Louis W. Hill, and Charlotte Hill Slade. [6] It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
References
edit- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- ^ Brochu, Ron (7 June 2016). "Hill Capital aims to build empires". BusinessNorth. Retrieved 22 September 2017.
- ^ "Statement from the James J. Hill Center". James J. Hill Center. 18 November 2019. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^ Rademacher, Natalie; Melo, Frederick (18 November 2019). "Shuttered James J. Hill Center in downtown St. Paul goes up for sale". Pioneer Press. Retrieved 18 November 2019.
- ^ DePass, Dee (21 June 2021). "Historic J.J. Hill Center in downtown St. Paul finds a buyer". Minneapolis Star Tribune. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
- ^ "History".