Fletcher Building
345 Third Street
The Fletcher Building is a two-story brick commercial building located on the northeast corner of Third and Oak, in the heart of downtown Farmington’s central business district. It is eligible for Heritage Landmark designation because it embodies the distinctive characteristics of the Italianate-influenced vernacular commercial block property type.
It is Farmington’s oldest extant commercial building and is notable for its well preserved Chaska brick facade.
The property is also historically significant for its association with the broad pattern of commercial development in downtown Farmington. Although it is fundamentally a vernacular construction, rather than an architect-designed specimen of period architecture, the ornamental aspects of its facade reflect the influence of the Italianate style. Dominating one corner of the downtown’s most important business intersections, it is an imposing edifice with a strong overall shape and firm lines. It is the oldest standing brick commercial building in downtown Farmington and was also the first “fire-proof” building built in the town. Contextually, the Fletcher Building also relates to the growth of downtown Farmington as a center of commerce between 1870 and 1945. With the Exchange Bank Building, the Fletcher Building anchors the historic Third and Oak commercial intersection and is of pivotal importance to preserving the historic character of the area.
In 1877, the Fletcher Building was built for and owned by Asa Fletcher, a grocer and one of Farmington’s pioneer businessmen. Its construction helped signal the end of the economic slump caused by the panic of 1873. One of the first multi-story buildings in town, it was one of the visual and financial anchors for downtown development and soon became a community landmark. The Fletcher Building featured a combination of retail shops, common rooms, offices, and apartments. Throughout most of its history, the ground-floor business space in the building was used for retailing, first as a general store and later for specialty shops. Use of the second floor space was more eclectic. When the Ringling Bros. circus came to town, the property was the venue for the first trapeze performance. The second floor commons room was rented out for many years by the Canby Post No. 47 of the Grand Army of the Republic, the national organization of Civil War veterans who served in the Union army or navy. Later this second-floor space was converted to small offices and apartments.
Designated on 05/21/01
