Laughter, Falling Water and Time
Business was booming along Lake’s streetcar commercial strip when Sears, Roebuck and Company decided to build in South Minneapolis.After the ideal site was selected, Architect George Nimmons was commissioned to design a mail order and retail store. The building’s focal point, a 16 story tower facing Elliot Avenue was lit up with enormous neon letters … 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
After the big newspapers of Minneapolis were consolidated during the Depression, many of their offices were moved to the Daily Star building on Portland Avenue. Extensive renovations on the original 1919 structure were completed in 1940, and after World War II the facility was expanded. In 1949, the building housed the presses and offices of … Read more
The Rogers Hotel was the talk of the town in during the Gay Nineties. The original Rogers embraced 132 feet on 4th and 113 feet on Nicollet. Legend has it that in 1886, J. E. “Tooze” Rogers walked into a one story building on the corner and said, ” This looks like a likely place … Read more
The Ryan Hotel in St. Paul in was the finest luxury hotel Minnesota had to offer in the late 19th century. Designed by architect James J. Egan, construction of the hotel was funded by a millionaire gold and silver miner named Dennis Ryan. Rising from the Northeast corner of 6th and Robert, this Gothic creation … Read more
Construction on the National Bank of Commerce Building at 4th and Marquette began in 1887. Designed by Minneapolis architect, Harry W. Jones the building, was completed in 1889. Inspired by Henry H. Richardson’s Field Building in Chicago. The National Bank of Commerce was featured in a 1889 issue of Northwestern Architect. Jones may have worked … Read more
Designed by the architectural firm of Wilcox and Johnston, the Hotel Aberdeen was completed in 1889 for less than $250,000. Perched on the southwest corner of Virginia and Dayton, three blocks away from the grand homes of Summit Avenue, the Aberdeen was a fine, old residential hotel complete with cafe, fine dining and a grand … Read more
Designed by the Minneapolis firm, Long F.B. & Co, construction on the seven story Kasota Building began in 1884. In August of that year, the Minneapolis Tribune reported that the building, on the corner of 4th and Hennepin had reached the sixth story. There were rumors that the remaining vacant space east of the part … Read more
Sydney, William and Julius Volk arrived in Minneapolis by way of Lithuania at the dawn of the Jazz Age. When the Great Depression hit they took out loans, pooled their savings and went into the movie theater business. During the 1930’s, old silent movies houses were retrofitted for sound and new theaters opened all over … Read more