Northwestern Knitting Company was established by Frank Page, Edward Tuttle, and George Munsing in 1885.The company began production in a rented North Minneapolis warehouse. In 1888, when Northwestern Knitting decided to build their own factory. The founders saw Minneapolis as an ideal center for textile production and set about convincing local businessmen to invest in their vision. Charles A. Pillsbury, Thomas Lowry, and others provided the company with financial support and bought stock that paid for land and the construction of a new factory. The first building of the sprawling plant was completed in 1890, this was followed by four more Neo-Classical revival structures all in yellow Chaska brick. In 1923 the company went public and changed its name to Munsingwear, Inc. They made underwear and other apparel at the Glenwood Avenue plant until 1980. Five years after production ended the old building was renovated and became a showplace for home, office, and commercial furnishings and accessories called International Market Square.
