Our Handsome City Hall

The Minneapolis City Hall was designed by Long and Keys in 1887. The building replaced the previous city hall a few blocks away between Nicollet and Hennepin Avenues. Construction began in 1889, and a cornerstone located thirty feet above the sidewalk was laid on July 16, 1891. Some of the individual granite blocks cut from … Read more

Pence Opera House

Announcement We take pleasure in announcing to the public the opening of the Pence  Opera House under our new management which will conduct it on a new and practical plan enabling us to present the best dramatic productions at a cheaper price of admission then any other first class theater in the Northwest. The prices … Read more

The Nicollet House Hotel

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

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

Going to the Gopher

The Gopher Cafe’s 9th and Hennepin location put the eatery in the heart of the Minneapolis theater district. The restaurant had a informal modern atmosphere featuring cozy booths, a swivel chair lunch counter and a swanky cocktail bar with an entrance on 9th Street. The Gopher’s digs are probably better remembered as Duff’s Bar. Originally … Read more

The Hotel Majestic

In September of 1906 W.S. Dwinnel purchased the newly completed Hulett Block building. The lease was made for ninety-nine years. Exact terms were never announced, but the deal was negotiated by the firm Chase & Scanfeld for W. J. Mc Quaid, a St. Paul grocer who erected the building and owned the ground lease. The … Read more

The Alden Wins Accolades

The Large Hallways are Heavily Carpeted insuring Quiet, and Lighted by indirect system.UNUSUAL PRECAUTION has been taken to have Heat and Hot Water at all times and in sufficient quantities. Two Sets of Heating Plants run singly or jointly as needed, are ample to care for a much larger building. TWO SIZES OF APARTMENTS CAN … Read more

The Sulphur Vapor-Bath Parlor Then and Now

“Why go to a health resort when you can obtain the same or better results in Minneapolis without loss of time or attention to business. Looking at these interiors views of the Sulphur Vapor-Bath Parlors at 2526 Hennepin Avenue demonstrate our standards of cleanliness. Our baths were awarded a gold medal and international diploma at … Read more

Hop on Hennepin!

One of the main thoroughfares of the city. Its course is southwest from the Mississippi river, where it joins Nicollet Av., to 28th St. where it turns due south. From the river to 10th St. it is 100 feet wide. From Lyndale Av. to Lake St. it is known as Hennepin Boulevard. Among its prominent … Read more