Getting with the Program at Lake Harriet
After his amazing Pagoada Pavilion burned to the ground in 1903, The Park Board decided to give architect, Harry W. Jones another try. This time his pavilion was designed in the Classic Revival style. Affectionately known as “The Pavilion”, the facility featured two levels with changing rooms, a restaurant and lower level refreshment [...]
Willow Brook State Fish Hatchery
In 1878 the Willow Brook State Fish Hatchery was opened below the bluffs of today’s Mounds Park. An unlikely attraction, every summer thousands of tourists were lured along a steep, winding road to visit the local landmark and it’s small wildlife museum. At one time the hatchery contained 7 spring fed ponds, but they [...]
The Big River in ’52
In 1952 the Mississippi flood waters managed to work their way over Robert Street and almost halted traffic in Saint Paul’s Loop district. The First National Bank building was never threatened. Spectators crowded the edge of downtown as the Mississippi approached a 14 foot flood stage and overflowed its banks. On April 9th water [...]
When Lake Harriet Wasn’t Good Enough
Here’s a 1907 map of planned park improvements around Lake Harriet including boat landing, bathing beach, bathhouses, rose garden, picnic grove, tree, shrub and flower garden, trolley station, and paths. Theodore Wirth thought Harriet’s shoreline was a little too monotonous and dreamed of adding a peninsula on the lake near the Beard Plaisance on [...]
How to Pronounce Hiawatha
Craigie House Cambridge November 12, 1897 Messers Houghton, Mifflin & Co. Dear Sirs, The pronounciation used by my father was “He-awa-tha” the accent on the first syllable being slighter than on the “wa.” The “a” soundd like “a” in “mar”, not “war”, as sometimes used. I should be glad to have this impressed on the [...]
