Laughter, Falling Water and Time
Franklin Steele Square was named in honor of Franklin Steele, one of Minneapolis’s first European settlers and a civic leader who built the first bridge over the Mississippi River at Nicollet Island. He also served as the president of the first Board of Regents for the University of Minnesota. In 1882, Steele’s daughters—Mary C. Morris, … Read more
Loring Park, originally named Central Park, was purchased in 1883 as the first acquisition by the newly formed Minneapolis park board. Briefly renamed Spring Grove Park in 1885, it reverted to Central Park before being renamed in 1890 after Charles M. Loring, the first president of the park board. Loring, known as the “Father of … Read more
St. Paul offers some of the finest conditions for cyclists, with its expansive miles of asphalt-paved roads in the business districts and brick or sandstone paving in other areas. The city’s natural beauty and wealth of scenic landscapes make it a haven for cycling enthusiasts. The terrain is largely gentle, with any steep gradients being … Read more
Where the Falls of Minnehaha Flash and gleam among the oak trees, Laugh and leap into the valley… Minnehaha Falls is the most widely celebrated of the Northwest’s natural curiosities. Longfellow’s Hiawatha has made Minnehaha an object of curiosity and admiration for travelers. The Stone Arch Bridge was erected from Stones taken from the Gorge … Read more
The pavilion has again undergone some very important changes, which are a decided improvement to both the appearance of the building and its efficiency in service. Through the introduction of a wide board walk on the water side of the structure and a large platform over the former landing place and swimming pool in front … Read more
The Winchell Trail is a hiking route stretching five miles along the Minneapolis side of the Mississippi River. It extends between Franklin Avenue South and East 44th Street, offering a secluded experience for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts. This rustic trail provides access to the Upper Mississippi River gorge, showcasing scenic views of sandy beaches, the … Read more
Interstate Park, St. Croix Falls, Wis., and Taylor Falls, Minn., 50 miles from Minneapolis and St. Paul. The rock ledges at the Dalles are ancient lava flows, of which seven may be identified, rising like giant steps above the river. The lava, or trap, is well jointed so that there are vertical precipices and isolated … Read more
A NATURAL HISTORY OF HARMON PLACE It seems like only yesterday that Harmon Place was igneous rock, monocotyledons, and dinosaur dung. But as the millennia came and went, and the various conflagrations smoldered, the earth became rich in rubber, chrome and used car lots. The early Indians of the area held these nomadic herds of … Read more
NICOLLET HOTEL MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA Nicollet Hotel, facing Gateway Park, is one of the outstanding hotels in the Upper Midwest. To the left of the Nicollet Hotel, is Nicollet Avenue, known as the “Fifth Avenue of the Northwest” where many important mercantile establishments and smart shops are to be found. To the right is Hennepin Avenue, … Read more