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Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

The original Commercial Historic District of the City of Albert Lea consisted of three square blocks of forty-eight structures built between 1874 and 1928. Featuring iconic examples of American architecture in a variety of styles, including Beaux Arts, Classic Revival, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau, and Craftsman, the district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1987. Sixty-four additional properties added in 2004 extended its period of significance to 1953.

Bessesen Building and surrounding buildings

Bessesen Building and surrounding buildings

The Bessesen Building (224 South Broadway Avenue, Albert Lea, originally used as the Bessesen Opera House) and surrounding buildings. Photograph by Titian Butash, July 30, 2024.

Fountain Lake Park, Albert Lea

Fountain Lake Park, Albert Lea

Fountain Lake Park, Albert Lea. Photograph by Titian Butash, July 30, 2024.

Businesses in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

Businesses in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District at 104 and 106 South Broadway Avenue. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019.

208 and 202 South Broadway Avenue, Albert Lea

208 and 202 South Broadway Avenue, Albert Lea

208 and 202 South Broadway Avenue, Albert Lea. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019.

Broadway Avenue businesses in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

Broadway Avenue businesses in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

Broadway Avenue businesses in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019.

First National Bank, Albert Lea

First National Bank, Albert Lea

First National Bank, 139 South Broadway Avenue, Albert Lea. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019.

North Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea

North Broadway Avenue in Albert Lea, ca. 1929.

Detail of a panoramic view of downtown Albert Lea

Detail of a panoramic view of downtown Albert Lea by F. J. Bandholts, ca. 1908.

Buildings in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

Buildings in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District

238 and 232 South Broadway Avenue in the Albert Lea Commercial Historic District. Photograph by Carol M. Highsmith, 2019.

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