German House, or Deutsches Haus at 444 Rice St., was a community focal point for decades. In the 19th and early 20th century, Saint Paul had dozens and dozens of German groups – singers, musicians, dancers, gymnasts or turners, sports groups, cultural preservation groups and other organizations. Many needed a permanent home and after years of discussion the German House was built in 1920, at 444 Rice St. the three-story, $180,000 building was a showplace, with a 1,000-seat theater, bowling alleys, pool rooms, conference rooms and a rathskeller. A wide range of groups used the space through the 1940s. During World War II it was renamed American House. It was torn down in 1958 to make way for the capitol approach.
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- 352 Wacouta Street (between Fourth and Fifth) -
- 1895, Cass Gilbert -
Adjacent buildings illustrate Cass Gilbert's commercial work in the 1890s. After nearly forty years of steady growth, Gotzian Shoe Company could afford to hire one of Saint Paul's most prominent architects to design a new factory and wholesale outlet. Paul Gotzian turned the outlet into rental property soon after its construction. Years of use by the American Beauty Macaroni Company gave the building its familiar name. In the 1980s, the factory was renovated into residential space.
- Profiles in Prosperity: Conrad Gotzian -
Conrad Gotzian came to Saint Paul about the same time as James J. Hill. A German immigrant, Gotzian established a shoe manufacturing firm that continued to flourish into this century. The two men were fast friends and built neighboring houses in the residential area surrounding the First Baptist Church.
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