Minneapolis Grain Exchange, Minneapolis

In 1881, the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce formed an association to facilitate the buying and selling of wheat, oats and corn. The purpose of this organization was to make sure both parties were arriving at a fair price based on the quality of the product being brought to market. Gaining notoriety and becoming a national force in the growing grain industry, the Chamber of Commerce commissioned the construction of a building in downtown Minneapolis to house the daily activity of the grain business. It was not until 1947 that the building was officially christened the Minneapolis Grain Exchange and commodity trading became a separate entity from the Chamber of Commerce. The building's turn-of-the-century design includes heavy use of stone, brick, marble and ornate wood. The terracotta ears of corn and stalks of grain on the building's façade are particularly interesting and striking. Tours include a glimpse of the always-rowdy trading floor.