Block E Then and Now

Then Block E in the middle of the last century and Now In its early days, Block E contained mansions and row houses. The mansions on Hennepin between 6th and 7th were gone at least by 1908 when the block acquired its row of small commercial buildings that remained largely unchanged into the 1980s. In the mid to late 19th century, the commercial and political hub of Minneapolis was Bridge Square, at the convergence of Hennepin and Nicollet Avenues.... Read More

The Shubert Then and Now

Then The Shubert Theater when it was on Seventh Street in 1910 Opening of Academy Theater, Minneapolis. in 1957 Movers worked through subzero temperatures in the winter of 1999 in downtown Minneapolis to move the historic Shubert Theater. The 90 year old theater was being moved by the City of Minneapolis to make room for an new enertainment complex next to the Target Center. When completed, the Shubert Theater, weighing 2,908 tons, was the most massive... Read More

Father Hennepin Then and Now

Father Louis Hennepin Statue, Basilica of St. Mary in 1930 For the Basilica of Saint Mary the 1930s are remembered for a number of very special events. The parish covered a large area and had a diverse congregation; the building was often full to capacity with people participating in celebrations and anniversaries. Photographs show large crowds at the events filling the streets around the building. 1930 marked the 250th anniversary of Father Hennepin’s... Read More

The Fawkes Block Then and Now

Fawkes Building, 1635-1649 Hennepin Avenue and 1624 Harmon Place in 1929 Then This 50′ x 150′ two-story reinforced concrete structure is clad in curtain walls of variegated brown, and dark brown brick. At the first and second story, large display windows fill the entry bay of the building where new vehicles could be shown. The end bays of the upper story are filled with large multi-paned units. Terra cotta and brick fill the panels above... Read More

First Baptist Church Then and Now

Then from Hennepin Avenue with the old downtown library in about 1910. and Now The First Baptist Church  Read More

Ninth and Hennepin Then and Now

Then Hennepin Avenue, looking North from Ninth Street in 1945Well it’s ninth and hennepin All the doughnuts have names that sound like prostitutes And the moon’s teeth marks are on the sky Like a tarp thrown all over this And the broken umbrellas like dead birds And the steam comes out of the grill Like the whole goddamn town’s ready to blow… And the bricks are all scarred with jailhouse tattoos And everyone is behaving like... Read More

The Pence Automobile Company Building Then and Now

Then Pence Automobile Company, Eighth and Hennepin in 1910 The Pence Automobile Company Building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was designed in the Classical Revival style by the Minneapolis architectural practice of Long and Long and built in 1909. The building housed sales showrooms and offices, automobile repair and service, and storage for parts, accessories, and finished vehicles. It was listed on the National Register... Read More

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