22 5th Ave S, also known as the Pioneer Place, was first constructed in 1913 by the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks St. Cloud Lodge No. 516. The Elks had been established at the Davidson Opera House (113 5th Ave S) in 18891 . In the 1914 St. Cloud City Directory, the Elks Home occupied the stretch of buildings from 22-24. Throughout the years, the building has served a variety of purposes and changed ownership multiple times. The appearance and structure of 22 5th Ave S is greatly different from the surrounding buildings on the street. Because it was first constructed as a place of meeting and residence for the Elk Lodge, the inside was initially divided into small bedrooms with a central ballroom. The exterior of the building is missing the traditional commercial appearance that can be seen with the other buildings on 5th Avenue. Two original clocks added by the Elks remain on the exterior of the building. Today, they point to 11:00, representing the time when club members were to pause and have a moment of prayer.
Following its construction in 1913, the building served a variety of purposes. It remained under the ownership of the Elks Club until the 1970s. Following the end of World War II, 22 5th Ave S was recorded as simultaneously being the Elks Home, a branch of the American Red Cross, the US Army Recruiting Office, the US Office of Price Administration, and the US Selective Service local board . The Elks remained at 22 5th Ave S until 1977, when they sold it to the St. John’s University Mall Center. Throughout the next few years, it was rented to multiple businesses including the Central Minnesota Health Group and the North Star Ski Shop3 . By the 1980s, the property was owned by the Country Stearns Theatrical Society, who would later move to the Paramount Theater. Local productions were regularly performed at the address. Likewise, the large building was still rented out to smaller businesses, including Michael’s Stained Glass Studio4 . In 1982, a series of buildings, including 22, along 5 th Ave S were added to the National Register of Historic Places. By 2000, the building was owned by D M R Pioneer Teleproductions, made up of two brothers who helped establish Pioneer Place as a theater5 . Throughout the early 2000s, the interior of the building underwent some renovations. The exterior remains almost identical to its original design. Today, the building continues to honor its historic past and the history of the area. The original hardwood floors from the Elks Lodge can still be seen throughout the building. The Pioneer Place Theater regularly hosts shows and musicians, while the Veranda Lounge and Blue Goose Speakeasy naturally foster social interactions and connections. The Blue Goose’s name honors a café that was established in the same building by the Elk Lodge over one.
1913: 22 5th Ave S is constructed.
1950: Building serves as the Elks Home, American Red Cross, US Army Recruiting Office, US Office of Price Administration, and the US Selective Service System Local board.
1977: Building is sold to the St. John’s University Mall Center and rented out to other businesses.
1892: 22 5th Ave S is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
1985: The building is occupied by Michael’s Stained Glass Studio and the County Stearns Theatrical Society.
2005: The Veranda Lounge opens.
2023: The Pioneer Place on Fifth serves as a physical marker of St. Cloud’s history and is home to the Pioneer Place Theater, the Veranda Lounge, and the Blue Goose Speakeasy.
