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1880s
Drawing done of The Golden Department Rule Store in the 1880s
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1886 - Golden rule established
The Golden Rule Department Store was established at 7th and Minnesota streets by William Elsinger, Joseph Elsinger, and Jacob Dittenhoffer in 1886.
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1891 - Santa clause store
Five years later the store was moved to a three story building at what is now 85 7th Place East. In its early days, it was known as “The Santa Claus Store” because of the large St. Nicholas figure at its entrance, plus the large selection of toys.
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1891 - The Golden Rule Department store Newspaper Ads
The Golden Rule Department Store ads in The Saint Paul Globe Page 13.
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1901-1914
Minnesota architecht Clarence H. Johnston made additions to The Golden Rule Department store in 1901, 1910, and 1914. Johnston remade the older structure into a six story Classical Revival building with an elaborate cornice and classical detailing.
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1906
Picture Catalog from The Golden Rule Department store
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1928
In 1928 The Golden Rule was acquired by Donaldson’s parent company Hahn’s Department Stores.
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1934
Hahn’s was reorganized into Allied Stores in 1934.
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1936
The Golden Rule Department Store Christmas shoppers
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1950
Kids taking a ride on the Empire Builder in the Golden Rule Department Store.
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1951
Capital Room Restaurant mural.
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1952
Candidate Eisenhower on Robert St.
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1954
Pay Stub from August 1954.
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1955
A look at the back of the Golden Rule Department Store log and it's parking lot that is now the Robert St. Parking Ramp
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1961
In 1961, Donaldson’s acquired the The Golden Rule Department Store of St. Paul and reopened the store as Donaldson’s Golden Rule.
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1970
The Golden Rule name was dropped and the store became known as Donaldsons.
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1980
In 1980 Donaldson’s closed up and moved their store into the Town Square.
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1983
The building was renovated into an office building in 1983.
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Today
The Golden Rule Building's interior includes a two-story atrium with a staircase spanning the first and second floors. An indoor park complete with fountains and benches covers the entire first level. The building is currently occupied by financial service types and State of Minnesota departments.