On This Date in Minnesota History: August 24

August 24, 1978 – “Thayer’s Hotel [in Annandale, Minn.] was put on the National Register of Historic Places [on this date]. As a result of being on the Register the outside configuration of the building cannot be changed. The only thing that can be changed on the outside of the building is the color. Being on the Register also protects the building from being moved or demolished. Since Thayer’s Hotel sits right on MN HWY 55, if it were not on the Register the state would have widened the highway into the living room of the hotel.”

“Aside from its historical value, Thayer’s Bed n’ Breakfast is also listed 5th in the United States as one of the most haunted places to stay. This is what draws many of the guests to stay here, as Thayer’s offers ghost tours, psychic readings, and murder mystery dinners. The murder mystery dinners are ranked 3rd in the nation. Guests visit from all over the country as well as around the world.”

“Thayer’s Bed n’ Breakfast was originally called the Annandale House. It was constructed as a railroad hotel with funding from the Soo Line Railroad Company. It functioned as a railroad hotel because they served beef and oyster and not everyone could afford the dinner, which cost $2.50 (today this would be equal to about $65).”

“Thayer’s Hotel was more technologically advanced than most businesses in the area at that time. They were the first building to have gaslights and electricity, which came in 1905.”

http://ithappenedhere.pbworks.com/w/page/36723266/Thayer's%20Bed%20n'%20Breakfast

Thayer’s Bed n’ Breakfast, Annandale, Minn. 

Photo taken by Pamela J. Erickson. Released into the public domain August 24, 2012,
as long as acknowledgement included.

Other Haunted Places in Minnesota:

Forepaugh’s Restaurant in S.t Paul; see July 8, 2013 blog

The Jackson Hotel, now Billy’s Bar & Grill, Anoka, Minn.; see December 8, 2012 blog

LeDuc House, Hastings, Minn.; see October 30, 2013blog