Sioux City History and Culture by Bicycle Part 160; The Death of the American Linseed Oil Co. Building?

Another recent fire that has partially destroyed an historic building in Sioux City occured at the old American Linseed Oil Co. Building. On the resent past it has been used by Bekins for storage and is owned by the State Steel. I think at one time State Steel was looking at renovating/restoring the old building for office space. Now it's futrue is uncertain and in question and all because of possible arson. With what has happened to this building and the Florence Crittenton Home I can not help but wonder if Sioux City's historical buildings are now targets. The fire in this building and the Crittenton could very well be linked to the same person or people. I hope the criminals are caught before any more buildings are destroyed.

Here is some info. on the American Linseed Oil Co. Building.;
2 blocks south of 4th St on the Northeast corner of 2nd & Court Streets is the American Linseed Oil Company Building. Thomas P. Gere of Sioux City and Rensselaer D. Hubbard of Mankato, Minnesota founded the American Linseed Oil Company at this location in 1883. At that time, flax oil was used primarily in the production of paint and varnishes. The original mill burned in 1890. Later that year, a new mill (pictured above) was designed by Sioux City architect William McLaughlin and constructed on the foundation of the original structure. By the early 1890s, it was the largest linseed oil mill in the world, processing 800,000 bushels of flaxseed annually. It continued to operate as a linseed oil mill until 1928. Since that time, it has been used as a warehouse by Kay Dee Feed Company, the Bekins Company and Grant Tire. The building is owned by State Steel.

I will post more information as I receive it.

Article about the fire;
Fire destroys historic warehouse downtown

Here is a photo of the building;