Up Your Alley

1925 Marshall Alley, at east end of Marshall Avenue, which ran west from Louis to Virginia between Marshall and Iglehart in St. Paul. 1957 Alley between Thomas and Upton Avenues North, looking north to Twenty Third Avenue North, Minneapolis 1957 Looking south toward Second Avenue North along alley between Washburn and Xerxes Avenues North, Minneapolis My Collection of Mid-Summer Minneapolis Alley Ways My little sister always said the alley was... Read More

Baring All in Basset Creek

Name: Margaret Corcoran Age:93 Neighborhood: Harrison Swimming Hole: Basset Creek Quote: B is for Breasts Of which ladies have two; Once prized for the function, Now for the view.  Read More

Minneapolis Willard Elementary School History

Frances E. Willard Elementary School, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, opened in north Minneapolis in 1910 and closed in 2005. The address is 1615 Queen Avenue North, Minneapolis, Minnesota. The school was named after Frances Willard, a prominent leader in the temperance movement and social justice. She was the first woman to have her statue placed in Statuary Hall. This two-part video was produced for the closing celebration, held in May, 2005, which... Read More

Ripley Memorial Maternity Hospital Then and Now

Then Nurses on steps of Ripley Memorial Maternity Hospital, 2215 Western Avenue, ca. 1910 Maternity Hospital, also known as Ripley Memorial Hospital and currently known as Ripley Gardens, is a former hospital building up in Harrison. The hospital was established by Dr. Martha Ripley in 1886 in response to the exceptionally high mortality rates for women in childbirth. Dr. Ripley was one of only a few female physicians in the late 19th century, and... Read More

Wirth Lake Beach Then and Now

Now Construction of Wirth Beach Phase II began in 2009 and includes a new playground, relocated volleyball courts, a half basketball court, trails, a concrete terrace overlooking the beach, and a floating boardwalk to mark the perimeter of the swimming area. The design for the playground for the older children is inspired by the Aqua Follies, an Aquatennial synchronized swimming event staged at Wirth lake annually from the 1940s to 1964. The play... Read More

A Wetland Wirth Cleaning up

The Wirth Lake watershed is essentially fully developed over a total area of 348 acres. The Bassett Creek Water Management Commission , the City of Golden Valley and the City of Minneapolis have all partnered up to improve the water quality of the lake. Key efforts to protect and improve water quality include: *Maintaining and enhancing shoreline plantings. *Removing trash from the lakes and park system. *Harvesting invasive aquatic plants where... Read More

Swamp of the Day

In 1914, about 25 years after the Minneapolis Park System acquired this section of land, Theodore Wirth designed plans to develop the area around the Quaking Bog. Wirth intended to create a campground, which he called Camp Hill Grove, on the hillside leading to the bog. The plans included draining the bog to create a large playground for children. Fortunately, he changed his plans and people are still able to enjoy the Quaking Bog today.  Read More

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