historically important custom-designed ornamental cast iron doorknob and matching escutcheon salvaged from the twelve story romanesque style pioneer building (st. paul, minnesota) the extant building was completed in 1889 by chicago architect solomon spencer berman. the monogrammed backplate represents the pioneer press, which traces its history back to both the minnesota pioneer, minnesota's first daily newspaper (which was founded in 1849 by james m. goodhue), and the saint paul dispatch (which was launched in 1868). the building's offices and elevators are arranged around an interior light court, the only surviving example in the twin cities from the 19th century. in addition, the pioneer building contained the first glass elevator in the nation. at the completion of construction in 1889, the pioneer building had twelve stories and was the tallest building west of chicago, surpassing st. paul's previous tallest, the globe building. twenty years after completion, the building's original architect designed four additional stories. the backplate and doorknob were fabricated by the yale & towne mfg. co., stamford, ct.