All in for the Aquatennial

This year is bigger and better than ever coming as it does on Minnesota’s 100th birthday. It is truly a civic celebration packed with fun for the entire family and one to focus is the attention of the entire nation on our city as a wonderful place in which to enjoy living. Saturday afternoon July … Read more

The Automobile Club of Minneapolis

The Automobile Club of Minneapolis was formed in the fall of 1902 in order to forward “the instruction and mutual improvement in the art of automobilism and the literary and social culture of its members.” Back in the days before your grandfather was born, automobile associations not only advocated for better roads, they paid to … Read more

Looks like a Library

The magnificent, gold trimmed, downtown Public Library serving as headquarters for Hennepin County and Minneapolis libraries is located in the Gateway Development area 300 Nicollet Avenue. The modern structure is made of granite, Italian marble and anodized aluminum. The library, geared for the comfort of its visitors features smoking lounges and open shelves, invites browsing … Read more

Foshay’s Skyscratcher

Completed in 1929, the Foshay Tower was the first skyscraper in Minneapolis the tallest building in town until 1971. The Art Deco building modeled on the Washington Monument was the creation of multimillionaire, Wilbur B. Foshay. A real estate developer who prospered in the public utilities business, Foshay lost his fortune in the 1929 stock … Read more

Federal Midwest

MIDWEST FEDERAL 801 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis “A good tree to come to for shelter.” 20-story Office Tower. First total-electric office building in area. Unique ‘5th Season’ interior climate. Mechanical equipment operated by one of nation’s most advanced control centers. All faith Chapel in the Sky. Home Offices of Midwest Federal. Corporate headquarters for many major … Read more

A Hotel of Refinement

The Hotel St. Francis building was erected for George Benz and Sons on the site of the old St. Paul Library after it was destroyed by a fire in 1915. Fred C. Norlander was awarded the building contract.The 215 room St.Francis Hotel and the New Palace Theater opened up in 1916.The name of the theater … Read more

Lyndale and the Basilica Then and Now

You can’t tell by looking at this old photo, but the place where Hennepin and Lyndale Avenues meet was almost as big a traffic snarl in 1943 as it is today. It may have been worse. Back then Minneapolis had close to 100,000 more residents and many more shopping working and living close to downtown. … Read more

The Minneapolis Athletic Club

The leading social club of the city. It maintains a handsome club house at the corner of 8th St. and 2d Av. S. This building, which cost with site $325,000, was completed in 1908. It Is not only architecturally conspicuous but is one of the most complete club houses, in every detail, recently erected. On … Read more

At the Edge of the Richest Shopping District

The Sheridan was built around the corner from the old Minneapolis Auditorium and Lyceum Theater in 1926. The hotel was one of at least six brick courts at the southern edge of downtown. In 1938 one could get a single with a bath of $2.00. Many of these old places became residential in the middle … Read more