On This Date In Twin Cities History - May 22, 1888

On this date in 1888, Minneapolis architect LeRoy S. Buffington, widely considered to be the “Father of the Skyscraper,” patents a construction method involving a steel skeleton with masonry veneer carried on shelves fastened to the frame at each floor.  This construction method allowed for structures to be built to any desired height.  Some of Buffington’s work include the Pillsbury A Mill (1881), the first St. Paul Union Depot (1881-1913), the second Minnesota State Capitol (1882-1938) and Eddy (1886), Pillsbury (1889), Nicholson (1890) and Burton (1894) Halls on the University of Minnesota campus in Minneapolis.