Mound High Then and Now
Mound’s high school buildings were built in 1917 and 1938. A hexagonal pod section was added in 1964. At the top of the picture you can see the holder for the lone incandescent light bulb that used to light up this intersection originally. Later more modern incandescent lamps were mounted on horizontal extenders from poles. [...]
The Happenings On Lake Calhoun
The Happenings were a pop music group that originated in the 1960s. The group’s major hits were “See You In September” (1966), which was originally recorded by the Tempos in 1959; a cover version of the George Gershwin/Ira Gershwin song, “I Got Rhythm” (1967), updated for the nascent pop/rock era; and “Hare Krishna,” a cover [...]
Highway 100
The original construction of Highway 100 started in 1935, as a New Deal project. The project was a cooperative venture between the Works Progress Administration and the Minnesota Highway Department, and was the largest WPA project in the state. The demand for the highway came out of growing pains in the Twin Cities during the [...]
University Avenue Montgomery Wards Then and Now
The Montgomery Ward Building was the tallest structure in the Midway District and a familiar landmark along the northside of Interstate 94 until demolition in 1996. The shopping center that sits on the current sight originally featured a new Montgomery Ward Store (now Herberger’s) and includes a small ornamental tower on the eastside, in obvious [...]
Stewart Memorial Presbyterian Church Then and Now
Stewart Memorial Presbyterian Church The Prairie School architecture was uncommon for use in churches. This church, which has a flat roof and broad eaves, but lacks a bell tower and other traditional church features, was inspired by.Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple in Oak Park, Illinois. It was designed by the firm of Purcell & Feick. [...]
3617 Bryant Avenue South Apartments Then and Now
One of a pair of sweet little 1930′s brownstone buildings on Bryant Avenue South.
Walker Place Then and Now
The Walker Methodist Health Center was built on the former site of the Bethany Home for unwed mothers, established by Harriet Walker and three other Minneapolis women in 1876. When Harriet Walker passed away, her family pledged funds for a new facility. In 1925 the new Bethany Home at 3701 Bryant Avenue was opened.
The Boulevard Theater Then and Now
Designed by Perry E. Crosier in 1933 in Art Deco style and seating about 1000, this theater opened as the Boulevard Twins, not because it had two screens (though it was later twinned in the late 70s), but because it was partly a movie house and part restaurant, a format it retained into the 60s. [...]
The Canteen Cafe Then and Now
The Canteen Cafe used to be open 24 hours where the Embers Bridgeman’s is today. I don’t remember ever eating there and I only occasionally remember the Embers these days. Don’t go to the Embers looking for “atmosphere.” You won’t get it. If your looking for a fine burger try the Emburger Royale. They’ll bring [...]
Nostalgias
The Metropolitan Building: Destroyed by Jazz
A 10-minute short film about the destruction...
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Yesterday’s News
- Sept. 3, 1910: An honest newsboy“Morris,” the energetic proprietor of the news stand at Fourth street and Nicollet avenue, spent an anxious two hours yesterday trying to locate the owner of $4.99 that had come into his possession. In the rush of early morning business someone gave the young news vendor a $5 gold piece for a penny in buying a copy of the Tribune. […]
- Aug. 30, 1920: Loring Park's "Grandpa" diesLet us pause to mourn once again the death of an elderly gentleman beloved by children who played at Loring Park in the early 1900s. […]
- Aug. 12, 1900: You are invited to an Arizona hanging“Freak legislation” on a hot-button issue put Arizona in the national spotlight more than a century ago. The statute required sheriffs to issue invitations to all sheriffs in the state whenever an execution was scheduled. Apparently amused by the requirement, Sheriff F. J. Wattron of Holbrook sent out gilt-edged cards assuring invitees that the proceedings w […]
Navarre’s Grace Baptist Church Then and Now
Grace Baptist Church in Navarre was razed in 2000 to make way for this Snyder Drug that closed last spring.
Swamp of the Day
A wide spot in the Minnehaha creek between Edina and St. Louis Park. This photo is take from a trail that nobody ever uses on the south side. You can get there from Todd Park.
Melody Lake
It isn’t every day I come across a body of water in Hennepin County I’ve never seen before. Today I was pleasantly surprised a little snake shaped body of water called Melody Lake in Edina. The best way to get a peek at it is to visit the park located at 5501 Melody Lake Drive. [...]
Double Bob
Bob was all over The Patriot’s airwaves today. He got off to a good start with Ed Morrisey in the morning. Ed had another blogger for a guest and they were batting around Obama’s speech. Bob called to say how thankful he was that Obama decided to give the speech in the Oval Office wearing [...]
The Minnesota Strip
In the 1970′s the “Minnesota Strip” was a term used by New Yorkers to describe Eighth Avenue . The term was coined by cops because it was rumored that many of the prostitutes who worked the stretch between 42nd and 50th Streets were teenage runaways from Minnesota. A November 28, 1977 Time article reported this: [...]
Mound High Then and Now
Mound’s high school buildings were built in 1917 and 1938. A hexagonal pod section was added in 1964. At the top of the picture you can see the holder for the lone incandescent light bulb that used to light up this intersection originally. Later more modern incandescent lamps were mounted on horizontal extenders from poles. [...]
PCC car, #322
This PCC car, #322, was built in 1946 by the St. Louis Car Company of Missouri. It was one of 140 built in three years for Twin City Rapid Transit of St. Paul and Minneapolis. In 1953, just before TCRT ended streetcar operations, the car was one of 30 sold to the operators of the [...]
Camp Coldwater Zombies
