At the Edge of the Richest Shopping District

The Sheridan was built around the corner from the old Minneapolis Auditorium and Lyceum Theater in 1926. The hotel was one of at least six brick courts at the southern edge of downtown. In 1938 one could get a single with a bath of $2.00. Many of these old places became residential in the middle … Read more

Where Men Meet Men

Did you know the Minneapolis Y.M.C.A. is the most inclusive, comprehensive and democratic club in the city? Do you know it is about the livest, red bloodedest social center in the whole state of Minnesota? Do you know that as a member you are privileged to bowl, play billiards, pool, chess, checkers, handball, basketball, volleyball, … Read more

Pondering the Plaza

CENTENNIAL PLAZA, commemorating Minneapolis’ 100th birthday (1856-1956), occupies part of the site on which First National Bank of Minneapolis will erect its new multi-million dollar building. In the far corner of the Plaza is a replica of historic Minnehaha Falls. At the right is a restoration of Minneapolis’ original (1849) post office. This short lived … Read more

The Impressive Skyline

SKYLINE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER St. Paul. Minnesota The impressive Saint Paul Skyline. from the Mississippi River showing Federal Building, right; First National Bank Building in the background and Court House at left. The excursion Steamer “Avalon” at the dock. FIRST NATIONAL BANK ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA This skyscraper. 502 feet in height, has dominated the … Read more

The Wesley Temple Building

In the 1920s, the “Skyscraper Church ” became a popular strategy for downtown churches all over America. The 12 story Wesley Temple Building was associated Wesley United Methodist Church which still stands just to the west at the southeast corner of East Grant Street and 1st Avenue South.The cornerstone was laid November 4, 1928 and … Read more

Horn Towers

Built in 1971 on land donated by Charles Horn, these 22 floor buildings contain nearly 500 units. The poured-in-place towers are grouped around a sunken courtyard and organic garden on a one-block site just south of Lake Street. In 2004 the city allocated $7,000,000 to repair the cracking and general deterioration of the buildings’ natural … Read more

Another Women’s Lib Hangup

On Auguts 26th, 1970, a  huge banner calling for women to unite was draped from the observation deck of the 32-story Foshay Tower in downtown Minneapolis. The women’s movement in America called for a nation wide women’s strike for equality to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the adoption of the 19th amendment to the … Read more

Foward the Foshay

The FOSHAY TOVVER was completed in 1929— on foundation caissons resting in bedrock 63 feet below grade. Built of steel and Indiana Limestone it is patterned from the Washington Monument and is the only building ever granted letters patent. The tower measures 8 1 feet by 87 feet at the base and 59 feet by … Read more