The Spirit of Community in Delano is defined by the
Creativity, Resilience, and Community Investment of its people.
300 Railroad Avenue
Eagle Building
Built 1883
The Delano Eagle Building at 300 Railroad Avenue represents more than a century of Delano’s newspaper and printing history. The story began in 1872 with the Big Woods Citizen, which soon became the Wright County Eagle and, in 1881, the Delano Eagle. In 1883, a two-story building constructed of locally produced red brick became the newspaper’s permanent home and Delano’s first solid brick building. Its second floor, known as Eagle Hall, also served as an early community entertainment space. In addition to publishing the newspaper, the Eagle Printing Company became known for railroad and commercial printing and operated a highly regarded bookbindery. The Eagle Newspaper and Job Printing Office remained at this Railroad Avenue location for more than 100 years, and its three-building complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979, preserving the legacy of one of Delano’s oldest and most enduring businesses.
1872: A weekly newspaper called the "Big Woods Citizen" was established by Daniel Fish and H.A. Ball. The paper was sold to I. Gutzwiller Jr. and Fran Matchett.
1881: I. Gutzwiller renamed the paper the "Delano Eagle" and the publishing company the "Eagle Printing Company".
circa 1887
The Delano Eagle Newspaper and Printing Office was the home of the oldest established business in Delano.
circa 1883
The first solid two story red brick building in Delano
Besides the newspaper the Eagle Printing Company specialized in railroad and commercial printing. They also operated one of the finest book binderies in Minnesota.
1883: A brick was erected as the "Delano Eagle Building". Two addition were added in 1884 and 1885.
1979: The three adjacent buildings of the Eagle Newspaper and Printing were added to
the National Register of Historic Places.
1984: Delano Eagle Auction - Complete older print shop sold.
The office operated continuously at its location on Railroad Avenue for over 100 years when it closed in 1984.
2019: 300 Railroad Ave is the physical home of Five Technology and J&J Glass and Glazing.
The content of this page is brought to you by the Delano Spirit of Community Trail Committee in honor of Delano's 150th Anniversary.