Locke Block Explained

Locke Block
Location:405 Fifth St., Devils Lake, North Dakota
Coordinates:48.1125°N -98.8594°W
Built:1909
Builder:Gram, Valdemar
Architecture:Chicago
Added:July 24, 1986
Area:less than one acre
Refnum:86001915

The Locke Block on Fifth Street in Devils Lake, North Dakota was built in 1909. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) in 1986.

Built as a residential building, its four-story height "would 'make the building a sky scraper in comparison to the other buildings in the city,'" per a contemporary local newspaper article. The roof drain system was innovative.

Its NRHP nomination in 1986 identified it as "the best remaining example of 'Chicago School' commercial architecture in Devils Lake."[1]

Danish-born builder Valdemar or Vlademar Gram's name originally appeared in the date block for the building, but only Locke's name appears now. Gram was prominent in Devils Lake and built the Devils Lake Carnegie Library (also NRHP-listed), the St. Joseph Catholic Church, and part of the Great Northern Hotel.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=86001915}} National Register of Historic Places Registration: Locke Block ]. Kurt P. Schweigert . April 24, 1986 . National Park Service. and
  2. Web site: [{{NRHP url|id=02000132}} National Register of Historic Places Registration: Devils Lake Carnegie Library ]. Barbara McCormick . September 25, 2000 . National Park Service. and