A Wink at the Willard

by

Built around the corner from the old Minnesota State Capital building in 1889, the Colonnade Apartment building was originally a 6 story structure. The top two floors were removed following a tragic fire on December 13th, 1955. This fine pile of bricks has changed names a few times over the years. Originally opened as the … Read more

The Nicollet House Hotel

by

Inspired by a spirited effort to keep up with the cities of St.Anthony and St. Paul, the founding fathers of Minneapolis lured a couple Boston businessmen west to build the Nicollet House Hotel. James M.Eustis and W.H. Judd promised the new city a five floor, brick building equal to any of the fine hotels that … Read more

The Way of Paving

by

In 1893, Court Avenue in Bellefontaine, Ohio became the first American street paved with concrete. George Bartholemew is still celebrated for his “artificial stone” pavement. Bartholemew convinced the Bellefontaine City Council to try it around the Logan County Court House by posting a bond that guaranteed the pavement would last at least five years. The … Read more

Illustrating the Housing Problem

by

The primary question is not “What can the tenant afford?” it is “What can Minneapolis afford ?” If we are to develop in Minneapolis the highest type of civilization, if industry is to thrive permanently, if art and music are to serve their highest purposes, we must first recognize as an essential prerequisite to the … Read more

Axel’s Lunch Room

by

Axel Anderson opened up Axel’s Lunch Room at 2217 East Lake Street in 1912. The restaurant served railway workers from the nearby Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad yard and Twin City Rapid Transit employees from the Lake Street Station across street. Axel came to America from Sweden in 1888. He got his start in … Read more

The First National Bank Building

by

Music by Muzak at the First National Bank of Minneapolis The Second tallest structure in the Minneapolis skyline is the first national bank building> This progressive organization selected music by Muzak to complement their modern approach to banking. With its handsome façade of gleaming metal and glass the 28 story First National headquarters structure provides … Read more

The Metropolitan Bank Building

by

Designed by the Minneapolis architectural and engineering firm of Hewitt and Brown, construction on the 13 story Northstar East building began in 1916. An early downtown home for the Pillsbury Corporation, the Art Nouveau office tower was completed the following year. The building was eventually renamed The Metropolitan Bank Building.   The bank hired Chicago … Read more

When the Old Federal Building was New

by

Built along Washington between 2nd and 3rd Avenue South, the new Minneapolis Post Office, designed by James Knox Taylor, was completed in 1915. Construction involved clearing an acre of land and took almost two years. The “Temple of Mail” was used as a United States Post Office until 1936 when it was converted into a … Read more

The Swedish Tabernacle

by

Completed in October of 1887,  the Swedish Tabernacle still stands on the northeast corner of 7th and Chicago Avenue. Way back when, the building’s  2,500 seat assembly hall was the biggest meeting place in Minneapolis. During the 1890’s, the Swedish Tabernacle hosted tremendous gatherings of city-wide interest. Explorers, scientists, statesmen, and preachers spoke here on … Read more