Washburn Crosby Elevators

Norwegian-American artist Arnold Klagstad captures a historic piece of Minneapolis milling history in this 1934 oil painting. The 34-by-40-inch work shows the Washburn Crosby Elevators, just across the river from the current library location, where it sports the iconic “Gold Medal Flour” sign atop its tall cylinders. A steam locomotive passing in front of the iconic building helps further orient this painted image in time. Unlike many local artists of his era, Klagstad documented the expanding inner city, and you’ll find another of his urban artworks, “The Godfrey House,” on display here at the library.