Laughter, Falling Water and Time
Robbinsdale, incorporated as a city in 1938, has a long and varied background, but not always under the name of Robbinsdale.In 1860 the area was organized as the Township of Crystal Lake with a total vote of 55. The city of Minneapolis in 1886 made an effort to annex all townships bordering on its limits, … Read more
The strategic advantages of location were recognized by •the United States government as early as 1819 in the establishment of Fort Snelling, under the shelter of which the early trading operations were carried on. Only a few quaint historic relics remain to mark the pioneering of the traders. The fortification, commanding the junction of the … Read more
According to the usual round up of unreliable sources, Ray Kroc found his way north to Minnesota in 1957 and opened the first McDonalds Roseville. A second franchise was in the works with Jim Zien, the owner of the Criterion on University Avenue. Kroc spent his evening time at Zien’s restaurant listening to the soothing … Read more
The new Lumber Exchange building costing $8150,000, built by S. G. Cook. at the corner at Heunepln Avenue and Fifth Street, is an imposing structure whose lofty height seems to dwarf Its surroundings, with the exception of the West hotel. It is built of pink Kasota stone, and is relieved by tasteful carving, a tower, … Read more
Proud of her astounding growth and great progress, proud of her vast industries and commerce, proud of her rare civic beauty but proudest in the fact that the Census Bureau of 1910 officially designated Minneapolis is the healthiest city in the United States of America. Built on the foundations of strategic location, unexcelled climate, cleanliness, … Read more
The Pillsbury Gates at the near end of Fourteenth Avenue SE have always been the University of Minnesota’s front door. Decades before Stadium Village, Washington Avenue, and the West Bank were born, professors, students, staff and guests arrived in Dinkytown on horse-drawn street cars, bicycles and trains. They walked through these gates and took up … Read more
In 1900, Thomas Barlow Walker purchased the 1.4 acre “baseball block” to use as a site for a nine story warehouse building. The property formerly housed a 1,800-seat ballpark that hosted the Minneapolis Millers and the St. Paul Saints. Walker hired master architect, Harry Wild Jones to design a 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse for the … Read more
Another notable railroad bridge constructed during the years 1881 to 1893, is one over the Mississippi river at Minneapolis, Minn., carrying two tracks of the union rail-roads into that,city. Col. Charles C. Smith directed the work. There are four spans of 100 feet, one each of 71 feet, 43 feet and 40 feet, and fifteen … Read more
The Falls of Minnehaha are perhaps the most widely celebrated of the natural curiosities of the Northwest. Since Longfellow sung of the deeds of Hiawatha, Minnehaha has been an object of the curiosity and admiration of travelers. The Falls are formed by Minnehaha creek (the outlet of Lake Minnetonka) which after a devious course of … Read more