Laughter, Falling Water and Time
The new Lumber Exchange building costing $8150,000, built by S. G. Cook. at the corner at Heunepln Avenue and Fifth Street, is an imposing structure whose lofty height seems to dwarf Its surroundings, with the exception of the West hotel. It is built of pink Kasota stone, and is relieved by tasteful carving, a tower, … Read more
In 1900, Thomas Barlow Walker purchased the 1.4 acre “baseball block” to use as a site for a nine story warehouse building. The property formerly housed a 1,800-seat ballpark that hosted the Minneapolis Millers and the St. Paul Saints. Walker hired master architect, Harry Wild Jones to design a 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse for the … Read more
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
“Within the four walls of this new building, business will be transacted which will affect the breadstuffs of the world.” —George A. Pillsbury President, Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Founded as the Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce in 1881, The Minneapolis Grain Exchange was at one time the country’s biggest wheat, barley, rye, and flax market. Designed … Read more
The good old the Prospect Park Water Tower, better known as the “Witch’s Hat” has been a Minneapolis landmark for over 100 years. The dedication was held back in July of 1914. The park was strung with electric lights for the event. Mayor Nye, members of the city council and other officials were the guests … Read more
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
A new $100,000 shoe factory, employing between 900 and 1,000 workmen, is being erected by the O’Donnell Shoe Co. in St. Paul. William O’Donell is president of the company. The directors include Charles Patterson, George J. Freeman, William F. Enright and Andrew J. Schmitz. At present O’Donnel Shoe Co. employs 500 hands and is building … Read more
St. Paul’s Minnesota Building became Art Deco as it was being built. In the hopes of attracting more business downtown, Architect Charles H. Hausler worked with a consortium of developers to revamp a conventional design and create the city’s first Moderne high rise. The building’s exterior paved the way for buildings like the First National … Read more
Completed in 1929, the Foshay Tower was the first skyscraper in Minneapolis the tallest building in town until 1971. The Art Deco building modeled on the Washington Monument was the creation of multimillionaire, Wilbur B. Foshay. A real estate developer who prospered in the public utilities business, Foshay lost his fortune in the 1929 stock … Read more