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Depicting Early Historical 1900s Layout Hodgeden enlisted Nels Holden, a Norwegian immigrant schooled in engineering and architecture in Oslo, to take on the task of building the new building. Holden recently had arrived in Aitkin from Duluth and was eager to establish himself as a contractor. Hodgeden was so impressed with Holden's abilities, he also commissioned him to build a new home. The Victorian structure was one of the most elaborate and featured a classic tower with a conical roof. Intricate gingerbreading decorated the roof peaks and the porch.
 The second floor contained the Aitkin Opera House bedecked in ornate oak paneling, elaborate brass chandeliers and scrolled plasterwork where roof met wall. The remainder of the second floor (west half) was used as a buggy and carriage warehouse. There was a large elevator that would bring a wagon or buggy down to the street level for the customer. Hodgedon also operated a livery stable, so while the happy customer is settling their bill, the wagon or buggy was lowered in the elevator, and a team would be waiting at street level to be hitched. The bill settled, the customer could jump aboard and head for home with no waiting.
 In the early 1900s, the main floor contained the Hodgeden-MacDonald General Merchandise store, and the Security Bank in the front half of the building. A hardware/implement warehouse occupied the rear (west half) of the building's main floor. The "Back Room," as it was called, was where lumberjacks would spend their idle summers playing cards, telling stories and sampling the coffee & cookies Sam placed out for them. Hodgeden would gain a lot of business from the 'jacks as a result of his hospitality.  The original basement featured a barbershop and bath house which was accessible by a recessed stairway in the sidewalk. The heating plant boiler, coal bin and storage areas for items such as vegetables and seed comprised the remainder of the basement area.
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