Batchelder's Block

Batchelder's Block, constructed in 1868, is the second-oldest surviving commercial building in Faribault, Minnesota. This historic site, listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990, showcases fine Italianate architecture designed by local architect Charles N. Daniels. Notably, it was the first three-story building in the city and featured a pulley-operated elevator. Originally commissioned by entrepreneur George F. Batchelder, the building housed a dry goods shop and a carpet shop, with office space on the upper floor. Its well-preserved structure reflects Faribault's early commercial development and significance as a regional commercial center, making it an interesting stop for tourists and researchers alike.