Digital Division

507 & 509 Division St

Nelson Building

est. 1922

Many of the buildings on Division Street that still stand today are replacement buildings. Prior to them, there was often a wood frame building, but one by one, those were rebuilt into sturdier buildings of stone and/or brick that you see today. The same is the case for the Nelson building. Rebuilt later than most, it was constructed in 1922 by Chris Nelson.


An example from 306 Division of a wood frame building that was on Division Street before the property was redeveloped

The two-story and one-story adjoined buildings directly north of the empty lot at 513 were constructed separately, but they share the name of the Nelson Building today. The northern property, standing two stories, had been used as a restaurant under several names since it was built in 1922—Alexander Cafe, Gates Cafe, Irish Inn Restaurant. The smaller adjacent building—likely built in 1898—held an insurance or real estate agency for many years until the Village Pump tavern, the next in the long line of restaurants here, bought out both spaces, joining them in 1975. After the Village Pump’s run here was over, Lano’s Restaurant and Mandarin Garden were both here for a time, before the latter moved to its current address on East 4th Street. The 509 address has in recent years returned to its historic purpose as a financial office, as Edward Jones investments has moved in. Tate’s Furnishings occupies the northern half of the building.


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