The Spirit of Community in Delano is defined by the
Creativity, Resilience, and Community Investment of its people.
Longosh Building
Built in 1906
Built in 1904 by bricklayer and stonemason John Longosh, the Longosh Building has been part of Delano’s Bridge Avenue streetscape for more than 120 years. Longosh, a German immigrant who arrived in Delano in the 1870s, constructed the two-story brick building with commercial space below and living quarters above. The Longosh Building SoCT Over the decades, the building housed an assortment of businesses, including a saloon, barber shop, Curley’s clothing store, a harness and leather shop, and Bill’s Shoe Repair. The Longosh Building SoCT Its long history reflects the changing businesses and everyday life of downtown Delano. Today, in 2026, the historic building continues its commercial role as the home of Vintage on Bridge and the Book Nook.
John Longosh was born in Upper Silesia, Germany in 1848, emigrated to the United States in 1872, coming directly to St. Paul, and then came to Delano about a year later. He was by trade a bricklayer and stonemason and built more than one building in Delano.
May 1904 - “John Longosh is getting the material on the ground for the erection of a solid brick building, 24x40, which he will build on his lot on the south side of Bridge Street. It will be a two-story structure, the first floor fitted up for a store and the second floor fixed for living rooms.”
April 9, 1908 – “John Longosh is tearing down his old frame building on Bridge Street and will erect in its place a solid brick structure, 22 x 40.” (on the north side of Bridge Street)
Nov. 4, 1909 – M. P. Berneck is now nicely settled in his new quarters in the John Longosh building on Bridge Street.”
The Longosh building, next to the State Bank of Delano.
cira. 1912
1933 - “The Longosh building next to the State Bank of Delano is being renovated and painted and will be the future home of Curley’s Men’s Furnishing store. Curley told the editor he expected to be nicely settled in his new location by the end of next week.”
May 4, 1933 – Curley the Tailor moved next door to the State Bank of Delano.
1936 – “In the fall of 1936 Dr. Guilfoile came to Delano and established his medical practice with offices over what was then Carl Eckman’s barber shop, (Bill’s Shoe Repair in 1979).”
Oct. 7, 1937 – Curley’s and Peters Change Locations.
“Beginning Monday Curley’s clothing store will be located in the building now occupied by Peter’s harness shop, and the harness shop will move into Curley’s present location. Mr. Peter’s bought the building now occupied by Eckman’s barber shop, Dr. Guilfoile, and Curley some time ago. He has made his living quarters above the clothing store and will now move his business over there also. In order that all his customers get quickly acquainted with his new location Bud Dainsberg is advertising a weeklong sale to be held in his new location starting Monday.”
Mr. Peter’s sold his harness and leather shop to Claus and Lillian Eckhoff. In about 1942.
The business was bought by Bill Benson in 1973, who had Bill’s Shoe Repair.
The Longosh building on the south side of Bridge Avenue has been a saloon, a barbershop, a clothing store, a harness and leather shop, and a shoe repair shop. Today, in 2026, it is the home of Vintage on Bridge and the Book Nook.
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