South St. Paul history teacher mourns demolition of stockyard landmark
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When social studies teacher Mark Westpfahl learned that the Armour Gates were up for demolition, he knew he had to try and save them.
“There has been a huge push for historic preservation over the last few years, as more people were learning that these were the only vestiges left,” Westpfahl, a teacher at South St. Paul Middle School said.
At their peak, the gates were the pathway to one of the largest livestock market stockyards in the world. But for the past 40 years, they’ve guarded an abandoned lot. City officials approved demolition in November so they could redevelop the area for commercial use.
Westpfahl incorporated the structures into his lessons with students. He even got them involved in trying to figure out a solution to preserving them. Some ideas included an outdoor movie theater, skate park and mini-golf.
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“About 95 percent of the area has been rezoned and rebuilt in the last 40 years. This is one of the last parcels,” Westpfahl said.
The south gatehouse was demolished on Tuesday, and the rest of the structure is expected to be down by Friday. Bricks from the demolition will be used in an installation memorializing the gates. But that’s little comfort for Westpfahl.
“There's a lot of meaning that can never be rebuilt in that spot the same way,” he said.
Listen to the full conversation with Westpfahl by clicking the player above.
