Appleton's Valley Fair Center

Although Greater Minneapolis' SOUTHDALE CENTER is usually considered to be America's first fully-enclosed shopping mall, a smaller, community-class center outside of Appleton, Wisconsin actually came first. Five VALLEY FAIR stores opened their doors in August 1954...2 years and 2 months before business commenced at the regional-class SOUTHDALE.

Graphic from the Renaissance Group 

"The first weather-protected shopping center in the nation," so proclaimed the Appleton Post-Crescent on March 9, 1955, the day VALLEY FAIR CENTER was officially dedicated.
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