Local Author Pens Book About Prominent Rochester Architect

Rochester historian and author Ken Allsen visited KROC-AM Thursday morning to show off his new book about a prominent figure in Rochester's history whose last name is not Mayo.

Thanks to a grant from Minnesota's Legacy Fund, Allsen was able publish a new book about the life and work of Rochester architect Harold Crawford. Master Architect, The Life and Works of Harold Crawford is available for purchase at the History Center of Olmsted County and the SEMVA Art Gallery in downtown Rochester. All of the proceeds from the sale of the book benefit the History Center.

Ken will be holding a book signing event at the History Center on September 25th from 7 until 9 p.m. If you plan to attend, please RSVP by calling 282-7844 or 282-9447.

Master Architect, The Life and Works of Harold Crawford greatly expands on a book written by Ken Allsen about ten years ago with richer biographical information and many more examples of Crawford's work in Rochester and other areas in southeastern Minnesota.

To say Crawford was prolific in his work would be an understatement. It would be difficult to travel through Rochester without seeing a building designed during his long and respected career, particularly if you were to drive through the Pill Hill area southwest of the Mayo Clinic. Allsen estimates Crawford designed, or at least designed major additions to about 40-percent of the distinguished homes in the historic neighborhood.

Ken Allsen has now authored at least five books pertaining to the history of Rochester and the surrounding area.