The Palmer House in Sauk Centre was built in 1901 by Ralph L. Palmer and Christena J. Palmer after the old Sauk Centre House, the town’s first hotel, burned on June 26, 1900. The Palmers lived there with their children, Hazel Palmer and Carlisle R. Palmer, and Christena’s mother and brother, George Brandner, also worked at the hotel. Modern for its day, the Palmer House was the first building in Sauk Centre with electricity. Traveling salesmen arriving by rail regularly used it for business meetings and relaxation, and it became a cornerstone of the downtown area and a gathering place for local residents. Sinclair Lewis later referred to the hotel as the Minniemashie House in his 1920 novel Main Street. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Interior features shown at the site include stained-glass fanlight windows, a decorative pressed-tin ceiling, and a staircase, reflecting the historic character of the hotel and restaurant building.

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor

Photo: ExploreHere Contributor