Laughter, Falling Water and Time
In the Summer of 1963, the Grain Belt Breweries, Inc. dedicated a ten-acre park in front of the brewery’s old wagon shed, near the corner of Broadway and Marshall streets. Pictured are the Gasthaus and fountain in one corner of the block long yard. Water came from the famous Diamond Wells, 1407 feet deep. This … Read more
The Lake Nokomis bath house and beach were completed early in July, and the official opening took place in July. Some changes were made in the proposed arrangements of dressers and lockers, and the ground plan herein reproduced shows the present very satisfactory arrangement. The building presents a very attractive appearance, is commodious and practical … Read more
Another notable railroad bridge constructed during the years 1881 to 1893, is one over the Mississippi river at Minneapolis, Minn., carrying two tracks of the union rail-roads into that,city. Col. Charles C. Smith directed the work. There are four spans of 100 feet, one each of 71 feet, 43 feet and 40 feet, and fifteen … Read more
The Falls of Minnehaha are perhaps the most widely celebrated of the natural curiosities of the Northwest. Since Longfellow sung of the deeds of Hiawatha, Minnehaha has been an object of the curiosity and admiration of travelers. The Falls are formed by Minnehaha creek (the outlet of Lake Minnetonka) which after a devious course of … Read more
In 1888, all the lands necessary to complete the improvements in the Lake of the Isles area had been acquired, with the purchase of the two islands and a piece of land formerly an island,the entire acquisition amounting to nine acres. The Lake of the Isles thus became the nucleus of the charming western system … Read more
In 1930 a new shelter, restrooms and refectory were built on the northeastern corner of the lake formally known as Calhoun. A couple years later, the Works Progress Administration built some lovely shore protection walls along portions of the eastern shore. I think it was about 1938 that three fishermen sitting along the wall were … Read more
The current Marshall Avenue Bridge replaced an old wrought-iron span erected for horse and buggy traffic in 1889. The previous bridge was designed by J.S. Sewall of St. Paul. Built on three stone piers the old bridge had hinges at each end and in the crown of each arch to allow for expansion and contraction … Read more
Originally known as the St. Anthony Falls Bridge, The Third Avenue Bridge is the longest S-curved concrete arch bridge in the world. The graceful structure carries traffic across the Mississippi River and right over Saint Anthony Falls. The 2,223-foot crossing was designed by city engineer Frederick W. Cappelen, who also created plans for other similar … Read more
One of the most notable, attractive and appropriate additions in the history of our park system undoubtedly is the ingeniously and beautifully executed artificial cascade, built at Glenwood Park by Mr. Francois Scotti at the direction of and as a gift to the city from The Honorable Charles M. Loring. The cascade is located on … Read more