St. Cloud’s 5th Avenue: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow [PART 3]

ST. CLOUD - Today in our next segment looking at the past, the present, and the future of St. Cloud's 5th Avenue, we're crossing the street and looking at the history of the east side of 5th Avenue in the block between 1st Street South and St. Germain Street.

We're starting with the three buildings on the south end of the block, originally known as the Petters Buildings. The building on the corner that now houses Subway is believed to be one of the oldest buildings in St. Cloud. A lot of people might remember Hemsing's Deli in that space. Next door where 7 West Taphouse is now, used to be the Electric Fetus. And, next door to that you might remember when Bravo Burrito was on 5th Avenue.

The Pioneer Place/Veranda Lounge building was built by the St. Cloud Elks Lodge #516 in 1913. Note the two clocks at the top of the building that are set at 11:00. That represents the time when lodge members are to stop all activity and pray for their departed brothers.

The next two buildings are sister buildings, built in a very similar style, by D.B. Searle. The one on the left is called the McClure-Searle building and was built in 1883.  It's most notable for being the first home of Tenvoorde Ford. The building on the left was built three years later in 1886. The Colbert Funeral Home occupied the building from 1941 to the late 1960's. D.B. Searles restaurant and bar has been there since 1978.

And finally, the Marriott/Le St. Germain/Radisson hotel has been on the corner since 1990.  Prior to that it was a parking lot from 1972 until 1990.  Many people might remember the old Grand Central Hotel, which was built in 1855. It lasted until the city tore it down in 1972. The Red Carpet bar got its start in the Grand Central Hotel, moving across the street in 1971.

This week:
Monday: the block from 1st Street North to St. Germain Street
Tuesday: the west side of the block from St. Germain Street to 1st Street South
Wednesday: the east side of the block from 1st Street South to St. Germain Street
Thursday: the block from 1st Street South to Division Street
Friday: the block from Division Street to Ramsey Place

(WJON Video Reporter Alex Svejkovsky contributed to this series)