Iron Works
Built: 1875
National Register of Historic Places: 1979
Architecture Style: Industrial
Currently: St. James Hotel
When one thinks of industry in Red Wing; shoes, pottery, and milling might come to mind. But one industry in particular made all of the others possible. That was the Iron Works, housed in this building.
The heavy machinery that made the grain mills of the town move and the boiler that powered the stoneware production in what is now the Pottery Place Mall came from this building.
River boats may have used engines from the Iron Works, and a widely used syrup evaporator that could make syrup out of a variety of raw ingredients was manufactured here. They gained an even bigger audience in 1875, winning the award for best stationary steam engine at the Minnesota State Fair.
The building that stands here now was built in 1875. The Iron Works started in 1866, in a building that stood on the same spot. That original building operated as a grain mill, and the decision to switch to iron manufacturing was made by the Densmore brothers. Benjamin and Daniel Densmore bought the building after they returned from serving in the Union Army during the Civil War and the US–Dakota War of 1862.
Both brothers, Benjamin in Kentucky and Daniel in Missouri, led companies of freed slaves for the Union during the Civil War. Union army leaders doubted the abilities of Black men, so neither brother’s company saw much combat, but Daniel did lead troops at the capture of Fort Blakely on the same day Robert E. Lee and the Confederate forces surrendered.
In spending time with freedmen, both brothers sought out ways to provide a stable postwar life for their troops. In communication with family back in Red Wing, Daniel attempted to find housework for some freed slaves he knew, while Benjamin stated his desire to educate his men so they could be more employable once they were discharged. Historian Fredrick Johnson and reporter Stephen Smith researched these efforts, and neither found much evidence that they were successful.
The Densmores produced and repaired equipment in the Iron Works until 1912 when they sold it to Harry Cook. Under the new ownership, production eventually shut down and the work inside focused solely on repairing existing machinery. It remained that way until 1977 when the St. James Hotel purchased the property.
Under the ownership of the St. James Hotel, the Iron Works was renovated in 2010 to include multiple large suites where visitors can enjoy views of the river and the historic train depot.
