During the Panic of 1893, when construction slowed on the building of the Minneapolis Threshing Machine Co., Hilmer Olson decided to build in town using surplus bricks from the brick factory on Highway 7 and Shady Oak Road. He first built at 822-824 Mainstreet, what is now the oldest commercial brick building in Hopkins. It was here the community voted to become the Village of West Minneapolis in 1893. The I.O.O.F. Lodge at 821-823 Mainstreet was also built with local bricks in 1903.
