In the beginning...

1956

Southdale in Edina, Minnesota becomes the world's first enclosed shopping mall. On its heels is Apache Plaza Shopping Center.

The land that would become Apache Plaza: A 1954 photo of the farmland once owned by hog farmer Ken Lee.

The men involved in the creation of Apache Plaza Shopping Center, circa 1960 (courtesy Apache Plaza).

Apache Plaza was the creation of Apache Corp. and architect Willard Thorsen. It was a revolutionary concept at the time, offering all of your shopping needs in one climate controlled building.

An impressive model of Apache Plaza prior to the mall's construction (courtesy Apache Plaza).

1960

Ground is broken on the site that would become Apache Plaza Shopping Center, in St. Anthony Village, Minnesota.

The "ground blasting" event took place on April 18, 1960. (click on the shovel for more detail).

Construction begins! (click here)