Riverside Hangar, Military hangar at St. Paul Downtown Airport, United States.
Riverside Hangar is an aircraft shelter at St. Paul Downtown Airport consisting of two parallel structures connected by wooden framework spanning a long, open interior space. The facility was designed specifically for aircraft modification and maintenance work.
This hangar was built in 1942 during World War II as a modification center for B-24 Liberator bombers used in military operations. The structure remained at the airport long after the war and eventually gained recognition for its engineering innovations.
The building shows how wartime constraints led to creative engineering solutions that became a defining feature of the structure. The laminated wood arches that make up the interior are still visible today and stand as a reminder of that resourceful approach.
This hangar is located on the grounds of St. Paul Downtown Airport across the Mississippi River from downtown. Visitors should be prepared for an industrial setting with open areas, so comfortable shoes and weather protection are recommended.
The hangar received recognition on the National Register of Historic Places in 2007, relatively late for a structure built in the 1940s. This delayed recognition reflects how industrial wartime buildings were often overlooked before their historical value was finally appreciated.
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