The Calhoun Beach Hotel
Theodore Wirth claimed the tall building across the street from the bath house and beach on Lake Calhoun would “disfigure” the natural beauty of the area and probably disintegrate into a house of debauchery upon completion. Despite Wirth’s initial objections, in 1927 he recommended the Minneapolis Park Board consent to a building permit as [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
The Missing Island
Here’s a map of planned park improvements around Lake Nokomis including boat landing, bathing beach, bathhouse, and paths. When the land was purchased in 1907, the lake had an average depth of 5 feet. Much of it was actually marshland and drainage area for the neighborhood. Theodore Wirth’s 1910 improvement plan of Lake Nokomis [...]
Darkening Stevens Community Doorways
If I keep this up folks might get the idea that I’m looking for an apartment. I spent three years in at least two Steven’s Community apartment buildings and I’ve always had a soft spot for the neighborhood. It’s sad to see the the old Abbott Hospital building on 18th in such a state, [...]
