Blind Department Building and Dow Hall, State School for the Blind

The Blind Department Building and Dow Hall were school structures featuring neoclassical architecture with grand columns and balanced facade designs. The buildings occupied multiple levels and were designed specifically to serve educational needs for students with visual impairments.

Minnesota purchased a private residence in 1874 and converted it into specialized educational facilities for blind students. This site became home to the Minnesota State Academy for the Blind and represented early efforts to provide formal education for people with visual impairments.

The school provided blind students with both academic classes and job training in one place. These programs helped students gain practical skills and become independent members of their communities.

The buildings were removed due to safety concerns, though foundation stonework remains visible at the original site. Historical markers placed there help visitors understand the role and importance of this former institution.

This was one of the earliest specialized schools for blind students in the American Midwest. Its creation showed how communities developed new ways to support people with disabilities during that era.

Location: Faribault

Inception: 1874

Architectural style: neoclassicism

GPS coordinates: 44.28667,-93.26006

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:41