Ault Store

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The Ault Store is a historic two-story limestone building in Dundas, Minnesota, built in 1866 by Edgar Ault. It stood in Dundas’ original business district along Second Street near the Cannon River. The east-facing front has three large storefront openings, a center double door, and big display windows, with second-floor windows and heavy stone details above. The first floor housed a general store selling furniture, medicines, and everyday goods, while the second floor held a small library and offices. The Dundas News used the rear office from 1876 to 1879. When the railroad arrived, Dundas’ commercial center moved across the river, and Ault moved his store to Railway Street in 1882. Later owners added arched tops to the storefront windows; these were removed during restoration. After a period of vacancy, the building was restored for residential use in the 1970s and 1980s and now serves as an artist studio and residence. The Ault Store was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 for its local importance in commerce and settlement. It is the last remaining building from Dundas’ original business district and a representative early commercial structure in Rice County.