Historic Long Prairie, MN
Then and Now
Arcade Building ~ 1893
"The Arcade block had many tenants throughout the years. The room now occupied by Peterson Variety Store was the location of the Long Prairie Post Office, Klemenhagen Barber Shop, and the offices of the Minnesota Power & Light Company. The west room was occupied by Reichert Bros. General Store and also the Rose Bros. Billiard Parlor, the Charlie Cole Barber Shop and Bowling Alley, and Seiget's Cafe. This building was twice destroyed by fire, in 1906 and again in 1926. There have been numerous cafe owners in this building up to the present time. The upper floor of the Arcade Block housed the city Opera House, which served as the entertainment center of the community. There were many traveling show companys and dance bands that played in the Opera House regularly throughout the winter season. The first big moving picture production was shown in this hall. The name of the picture was "The Spoilers" and the stars were William and Dustin Farnum. There were also offices on the second floor of this building occupied by Dr. E.A. Leidel and Dr. Van Valkenburg, dentists and B.F. and Frederick Van Valkenburg, M.D.'s." ~Neats Lano, 1967
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