Laughter, Falling Water and Time
Glenwood Park extends from 16th Av. N. south almost to Cedar lake, is irregular in shape, and its surface is greatly diversified. Within its boundaries are some of the highest points of land in Hennepin county, and hidden among these hills lie three beautiful sheets of water, one covering an area of about six acres; … Read more
Thirteen, 304-foot rib arches carry State Highway 55 across the Minnesota River valley between the Fort Snelling in Hennepin County and Mendota Heights in Dakota County. When the Fort Snelling-Mendota Bridge was completed in 1926, Minnesota engineers, Walter Hall Wheeler and C.A.P. Turner took bragging rights for the the longest continuous, concrete arch bridge in … Read more
The current Marshall Avenue Bridge replaced an old wrought-iron span erected for horse and buggy traffic in 1889. The previous bridge was designed by J.S. Sewall of St. Paul. Built on three stone piers the old bridge had hinges at each end and in the crown of each arch to allow for expansion and contraction … Read more
When it was completed in 1936, the Minneapolis Armory was the most expensive Public Works Administration building in Minnesota. What an edifice! This stalwart fortress, built of reinforced concrete, brick, tile and steel is still one of the most impressive buildings in the city. The barrel roof, supported by three-hinged arch trusses has a pinpoint … Read more
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
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
East Lake was one of 13 library branches established by the first female head librarian at the Minneapolis Public Library. Gratia Countryman made it her mission to bring people closer to books. She served in the position from 1904 to 1936. The East Lake Library was designed by Jerome Paul Jackson. The modest building was … Read more
Name: Shelly Age: 122 Neighborhood: Camden Swimming Hole: Shingle Creek Quote: Why don’t elephants go skinny dipping? They can’t get their trunks off. In 1852 the first shingle mill in Hennepin County was built near the mouth of Shingle creek, giving the creek and the neighborhood its name. Workers from the nearby lumber mills … Read more