Designed by the Minneapolis firm, Long F.B. & Co, construction on the seven story Kasota Building began in 1884. In August of that year, the Minneapolis Tribune reported that the building, on the corner of 4th and Hennepin had reached the sixth story. There were rumors that the remaining vacant space east of the part already built was to be filled with a building of the same material.
In September, a number of men narrowly escaped a terrible death when a derrick upon which was being hoisted an immense weight of stone gave way. A timely warning saved at least four men on the sidewalk below as the freight fell from a considerable height.
A few days before a serious accident occurred when a Swedish laborer named Skjolberg was struck by a brick that fell from an overhead scaffolding. Spielberg was removed to the College Hospital where an examination showed the injury to be a dangerous one. The attendant there was hopeful of the victim’s ultimate recovery. Skjolberg was unmarried at the time and was fortunate to be living with his sister who was in employed at the residence of Dr. Collins.
In October of 1884, a communication from Franlin B. Long stated that the Kasota Building was nearly completed at a cost of $75,000 including the site, and he asked leave to make water connection with the main on Hennepin Avenue.The request was granted on condition that a meter be put in under the supervision of the engineer.
In November, Long told the St. Paul Pioneer Dispatch that he wished to put himself on record in the matter of opinion regarding the effect of Cleveland’s election. He further let it be known that he had so much confidence in the election of President Cleveland and his giving us a good administration that he decided to add two more stories to the Kasota Building on hearing of his nomination in Chicago.
In 1885 Franklin Long founded the Long and Kees architecture firm, with Maryland-born Frederick Kees.The firm went on to build the Lumber Exchange, the Corn Exchange, Holmes Building, Masonic Temple, Donaldson’s Glass Block and the Minneapolis City Hall. The Kasota Building was the city’s first commercial structure built in the Richardson style. The structure underwent major renovations in 1893. In 1959 the Kasota Block was demolished to make way for nothing in particular.