Stone Building

In 1894, Indiana native Charles R. Stone founded Stone’s Music House in Fargo. The business was renamed Stone’s Piano Company in about 1909. In 1910, Stone built a new three story building at 613-617 1st Avenue North for Stone’s Piano Company. The Stone Building was designed by the Hancock Brothers and featured yellow brick and stone trim in Classical Revival style. During this time, the Fargo College Conservatory of Music was housed in the upper floors.

By Danielle A. Teigen, for The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead

The Stone Building, 613 First Avenue N. Named for Charles R. Stone, this building served as the third home for its namesake’s piano company, which brought music to residents throughout the area during a time when people created their own entertainment. Stone’s natural musical ability was evident as a child, and he became an accomplished accordian played by the age of 7. He created a band in his home state of Indiana at the age of 13, and he headed west after graduating with a music degree. He landed in St. Paul where he worked as a piano company salesman before he ended up in Fargo in the late 1890s. He opened his store in 1894, an operation believed to be the first exclusive retail piano and music business in the state of North Dakota. He erected the Stone building in 1908 and also operated a music store in Minneapolis from 1919 to 1925.

Stone died in 1935 and his son took over ; he was joined by A.J. Daveau, who ended up going into business with Charles Stone, Jr. In 1956, Daveau purchased the building and operated music companies out of it until the 1970s. The building was renovated and opened in 2000 as the Avalon Events Center, which closed a few years ago. In 2016, Kilbourne Group purchased the building .

To learn more about the historic buildings in downtown Fargo, embark on a walking tour or pick up a copy of “ Hidden History of Fargo ” at Zandbroz Variety, 420 Broadway N.