Brent Peterson: The Commander Elevator in Downtown Stillwater

One of the most famous buildings in the Stillwater skyline is the Commander Elevator. It rises majestically from the cityscape as one of the tallest buildings downtown. Even with all the photographs and inspiration it gives artists, this building, like many others downtown, was nearly demolished.

The elevator, built in 1898 by the woodward Elevator Company, was originally located at the corner of Main and Nelson Streets. Just six years later the elevator was moved to its present site, making way for a new flourmill. An overhead spout connected the buildings both operated by the Minnesota Flour Mill Company until 1908.

The mill passed through many hands over the next eleven years. After the Minnesota Flour Mill Company, Fred Luchsinger took control, then the elevator became the property of the Big Diamond Milling Company, then the Dibble Grain and Elevator Company, and then the Empire Milling Company. The Commander Company purchased the elevator in 1919 and operated it until 1961 when G.T.A. bought out all Commander elevators.

The name "Commander" stuck with the elevator, the building is still known by that name today. After G.T.A., Harvest States Co-op ran the elevator until March 1, 1986 when the last load of feed was ground in the mill, and the Co-op did not renew its lease.

A retail feed store continued to operate out of the retail space, but the elevator was now empty, gathering dust and pigeons with no other outlook than to someday be torn down. However, architect Michael McGuire had some dreams and plans for the vacant structure. He wanted at first to remodel the building into a combination retail store, apartment and office building. Plans were presented to the Stillwater Planning Commission in April 1988 and although there were concerns about flooding, parking and handicap access, the Commission passed the plans on to the City Council. McGuire stated in the Stillwater Gazette of April 28, 1988 that "the elevator is an important landmark in downtown Stillwater, and some way should be found to preserve it."

In the summer of 1993, a new opportunity arose. After several discussions about the structure, Deb Asch, of P.J. Asch Otterfitters, thought that a climing wall constructed within the elevator would be practical and useful for the outdoorsmen that needed a place to practice rock climbing. The Stillwater City Council approved the plans and construction was underway.

A short time later the climbing walls were done and the building was able to keep its historical integrity on the exterior while adapting to a new use and function on the interior. The Commander Elevator became one of the great symbols of architectural reuse in the city.

Writer Meg Heaton wrote an article about the elevator in 1988. In it, she wrote, the elevator was "one end of a set of bookends that holds downtown together. At the north end are the Old State prison and the Staples lumber mill. At the south end is the Commander, and with the River on the east and North and South Hills on the west, we should hold in there pretty well for a long time to come."

Sadly, after 15 years in business, P.J. Asch Otterfitters closed its doors a few years back. No word yet on the future of the building.

Brent Peterson is the Executive Director for the Washington County Historical Society.