WPA Riots
When employees of the Work Projects Administration (WPA) showed up for work on the morning of July 5, 1939, they found bulletin board notices announcing a reduction in hourly wages and an increase in the number of required work hours. Rumors spread that many would soon face termination. It didn’t take long for the unhappy [...]
One Dale Down
Brookdale was the second of the four “Dale” shopping malls developed by the Dayton’s. After the success of Southdale Center, Knollwood Mall and Apache Plaza, the Dayton’s Co. looked to the Brooklyn Center. The city boomed in the immediate post-war years and was seen as a prime location. A site was chosen near Highway [...]
Renaissance Square Then and Now
Ten stories high, the Andrus Building, was designed by Long and Long in the Chicago School style. Completed in 1898, Renaissance Square is one of the oldest buildings on Nicollet Mall. The original cornice was removed and the ninth floor arched windows were squared off by 1931. A two story storefront was replaced by a [...]
“For Particular People “
Here’s a lovely aerial view of the old Suburban Motel out in Crystal. The place was about 3 miles northwest of the city and boasted 40 units with private bathrooms and showers. Rooms were heated with thermostatically controlled vented gas floor furnaces. I found this old card on ebay, but I should have checked over [...]
Where is I-335?
The federal government granted approval for a 2.74 mile auxiliary Interstate route named I-335 in October 1964. in 1970 the Minneapolis City Council approved the plans for the road and began purchasing right-of-way. Interstate 335, called the North Ring was planned to connect I-35W and I-94 north of the city to provide better access to [...]
