Building the Community
During World War I, Standard Construction was awarded $23 million in government contracts employing more than 3,000 men. Planes were able to use Wold Chamberlain Field when the company completed renovations in just two months. In addition to bringing the project $900,000 under budget, Knutson and his team received high praise from the Army engineers. Although wartime economic ups and downs crushed many businesses and construction companies, Thor Knutson’s successes during that time were attributed to a simple rule of thumb: Honesty.
The Minnesota State Fair Cattle Barn was built in 1920 and is still standing today. The massive brick structure covers 117,450 square feet with sufficient housing for 560 cattle. The structure has changed several times in its 86 years, most notably when it was turned into a propeller plant during World War II.