Accessible Restrooms - Tower Historic Fire Hall

The Tower-Soudan Historical Society used a $10,000 small grant to complete accessible restroom construction in the Tower Historic Fire Hall. Two former jail cells were converted into women’s and men’s restrooms. Work included demolition of the old women’s restroom floor, framing of an exterior wall, and installation of drywall on plumbed walls. Taping was finished, and painting, fixtures, and stall separators followed. The project built upon earlier efforts from the 1990s and 2019, which had roughed-in plumbing and framed space for restrooms but never completed the work. By using existing infrastructure in the addition, the project avoided changes to the historic fire hall’s original structure while achieving ADA compliance.

The completion of the restrooms advanced the fire hall restoration plan and ensured that the building could serve its public role as a History Education Center. With accessible facilities, the historic site could host school programs, history talks, fundraisers, and community events, supporting Tower’s Main Street revitalization. The project reinforced the building’s value as a landmark that connected residents and visitors with the past of Tower, Soudan, and Lake Vermilion. Grant support from the Minnesota Historical Society provided leverage for additional community and foundation funding, moving the ongoing rehabilitation efforts forward and returning the 1895 structure to active public use.