When it was completed in 1929, the 27-story Rand Tower was one of the Mill City’s tallest buildings. The deco skyscraper designed by the architectural firm of Holabird and Root was named for World War I flying ace, Rufus R. Rand. The buildings sleek, Moderne ornamentation pays homage to aviation and Rand’s experience in the Lafayette Flying Corps. The Rand family business, Minneapolis Gas Company is probably better remembered as Minnegasco. The Rand was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.
