Minnehaha neighborhood is located in south Minneapolis. The neighborhood is bound on the east by Hiawatha Avenue, on the south by 54th Street East, on the west by 34 ^th Avenue South and on the north by Minnehaha Parkway East. Minnehaha and its neighbor Hiawatha both received their names from an Ojibwe mentioned in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem, The Song of Hiawatha. Minnehaha means “laughing waters,” as the waterfall in what is now Minnehaha Park were dubbed in Longfellow’s poem.

Tour Guides

Ian and Kelly Stade, Minnehaha residents

Kelly and Ian Stade have lived in their Minnehaha home since 2008. Kelly and Ian are both librarians at Hennepin County Library.  Kelly manages the St. Louis Park Library and Ian works at Special Collections at Minneapolis Central Library. Ian helps manage the Hennepin County Library Tumblr blog. In their free-time they read, bicycle in the neighborhood, ski and hike at Fort Snelling State Park. They spend a lot of time in their backyard with their cats under their stately Elm tree. Kelly volunteers for the Tubman Center and Ian is involved in their church, St. Joan of Arc.

The Tour Route

Minnehaha Neighborhood Tour Route

Order of our tour:

• Start at 5324 43rd Avenue South
• North on 43rd avenue to 52nd street
• East on 52nd to Plantique
• North on Hiawatha to Caps
• West on 50th to  Al Vento
• South on 34th to 52nd St
• East on 52nd to 38th Avenue
• South on 38th Avenue to 54st Street
• East on 54th to 43rd Avenue
• End at 5324 43rd Avenue South

Tour Highlights

Ian, Kelly, my friend Shaylie and I walked around a great deal of the Minnehaha neighborhood on a beautiful September day in 2011. Prior to our walk, Ian prepared our tour route and following the walk, he and Shaylie provided me with the below descriptions of our stops. Ian’s expertise in neighborhood history research shines through in this post!

When asked how he would describe the neighborhood, Ian responded

It’s a neighborhood in transition, there are some lifelong residents, new homeowners, young couples, and young families.  Traditionally a lot of VA employees lived in the neighborhood.  Now there are a lot of households that have at least one member that commutes to work via the 50th Street Light Rail Station.

 

For the first half of the 20th century there were housing covenants that forbade people of color from buying houses roughly south of 38th street, I think that is reflected today in the makeup of this neighborhood.  According to the 1980 census there were 33 African Americans out of 4,138 Minnehaha Residents.  In 2000, the number had increased to 222 out of 4,058. The 2010 Census recored 238 African Americans out of 3980 total. Overall diversity is changing as well, whites made up 96% of the population in 1980 by 2000 they were 86% and in 2010 whites made up 81% of the neighborhood’s population.  In 2010 the population of Minneapolis was about 60% white and 18.3% African American.

 

What makes this neighborhood unique is a mini-downtown on 34th Street [where several neighborhoods merge]– Minnehaha combined with Keewaydin, Morris Park and Wenonah neighborhoods almost function like a small town.

Two Main Themes of our tour:

• Minnehaha neighborhood as a streetcar suburb in the early 20th century
• Post-World War II boom indicated by church, entertainment and retail expansion.

Bob Corbit House
5228 43rd Avenue South
Artist’s house with interesting yard sculptures. His house was built by Warren A. Briggs in 1912 (addition in 1916).  Briggs worked as a clerk.  Warren and Florence Briggs had two daughters Bettie and Doris, according to the 1920 census.

Bob Corbit telling us about his backyard landscaping and pond project.

We lucked out as Bob was working in his front yard when we walked by. He invited us in to fully experience his art. When asked about the impetus of his landscaping, he said he didn’t like to mow.

Bowling ball pyramid

Backyard living room

Corbit's sculpture garden

Tree sculptures

Bob is working on creating a  large deck around three ponds, one of which is home to several Koi fish including baby koi. Along with several sculptures, some of which were created by friends, Bob owns three original seats from the Metropolitan Stadium.

Koi pond

Old Met Seat

Details of Corbit's Home

Bob's two different colored Converse shoes inspired by Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top

Former grocery/bakery
5203 43rd Avenue South/4395 52nd Street East

Former Grocery Store, 5203 43rd Avenue South/4395 52nd Street East

Grocery store built in 1916, Bakery added in 1923. The bakery closed in 1930 and was converted to an apartment.

Plantique Garden Store
5152 Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Plantique Garden Store

Plantique started out as a hybrid, selling plants and antiques. Now it offers annuals, perennials and custom-mixed containers as well as bird baths, fountains, arbors and a unique selection of garden accents.

This was originally the site of a refreshment stand/house (1914) built and owned by Henry H. Auge, a bartender who worked on Washington Avenue.  His son Aerion worked at Longfellow Gardens.  It was replaced by a gas station in 1929 and the gas station was converted to a dry cleaner in 1957.

Charles C. Patten House and Minnehaha Dance Pavilion (razed)
5020-5028 Hiawatha

Larry Millett – “ca. 1875-1880, A restored Italianate house with prominent hoods above the second-story windows, a bracketed cornice, and a two-story bay window. This may be the oldest home in Nokomis [Community].”  Most probably the 2nd oldest house in the neighborhood. Original lot of origin unknown.  Charles C. Patten owned the house around the turn of the century, he ran the merry-go-round in Minnehaha Park.  Moved up on the lot by Charles Patten in 1910.

There also was a dance pavilion in front located at 5020 Hiawatha originally built by Andrew Foster in 1891. It was known for its coarse language, whiskey-drinking, gambling and close dancing by the time a man Adelbert L. Gardner owned it, according to an 1899 Minneapolis Tribune article.  C. Lewis and J.A. Gardner were convicted of running a disorderly house and it was shut down in 1899.  The structure continued to exist until at least 1906, when according to the permit card, alterations were made to it.

The midnight streetcar that ran from the falls north to downtown after the dance halls closed was also known to be quite rowdy according to the 1899 Tribune article. In 1908, the intersection of 49th Street and Hiawatha was closed in an effort to drive out the dance halls, pavilions and roller rinks that surrounded Minnehaha Park.

Mary Crocker House
5016 44th Avenue

Mary Crocker House, 5016 44th Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN

Built by Mary Crocker in 1889. Millett- , “One of the handful of Victorian homes that overlook Minnehaha Park. The outstanding feature is a wraparound porch that offers a primer in the joy of spindle work.” Crocker’s name is on a few pieces of real estate in the neighborhood – although married, Crocker may have had an independent entrepreneurial spirit which increased when she became a widow, investing in and building real estate.

Cap’s Grill
5000 Hiawatha Avenue
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Cap's Grill, 5000 Hiawatha Avenue, Minneapolis, MN

Opened in June 1995 by Don Mattson, a long time Nokomis resident.  It replaced the Falls Superette gas station.

It was originally take out only but later tables for added for “eat-in” service.  Baby back ribs smoked with apple wood are the restaurant’s speciality.  On weekends the restaurant services breakfast which features homemade pancakes. Reviews always note the excellent service  at the restaurant.  The barbeque sauce is very accessible for a Minnesota palate and is bottled and sold to interested customers.  Another unique thing about the restaurant is it has been alcohol and smoke free since opening – very family friendly.

Nokomis East Gateway Garden

4224 50th St E
Facebook page

This is a butterfly garden with a goal of beautification of the neighborhood sponsored by the Nokomis East Neighborhood Association.

Nokomis East Gateway Gardens

Art Hallman’s Landscaping Project
4125 50th Street E

Art Hallman's Landscaping Project, 4125 50th Street East, Minneapolis, MN

We stopped to talk with Art Hallman, a retired massage therapy instructor, who was in the process of creating a stone fence and tiered landscaping for his front lawn.  The original owner obtained rocks from the Mississippi RIver for an older fence and Art reused them by removing concrete from them by dipping them in acid.

Andrew J. and Mary W. Foster’s house
5025 43rd Avenue

Andrew J and Mary Foster House, 5025 43rd Avenue

Built in 1880s and moved from 5026 44th Avenue in 1911. Andrew J. Foster was an early settler in the Minnehaha neighborhood.  He moved here by 1883.  He was a merchant, fruit farmer and real estate developer.  Foster was born in Maine in 1827 and died in Minneapolis in 1906.  He moved to Minneapolis in 1849, first homesteading at Franklin and 16th Avenues.  His first homestead was later Foster’s first addition.  His second and third additions were located in Minnehaha neighborhood.  After Foster’s death, his daughter Ada Mills lived in the house with her daughter Edith Hanyes and son-in-law Frederick Haynes until 1911.

Former grocery/meat market and Current Private Residence
3925 50th Street East
A former building at this address was the site of the Minnehaha Post Office, 1898.
The current building was built 1907 and it was Peter Johnson grocer in1915. In 1930 Kraines Brother Grocery and Peter Johnson Meats which closed in1968.

Private residence, 3925 50th Street East, Minneapolis, MN

The building is currently a private residence owned by Sheldon Otte. He happened to be there when we walked by and told us of the renovations done on the building. The front windows are re-purposed from the first Mayo skyscraper, the Plummer building, in Rochester, MN. One of his tenants, Clark, sells books online and occasionally sells them from the front area of the building.  Sheldon told us that there is indication that this building was relocated from Fr. Snelling and that the foundation, from 1885, doesn’t match the rest of the building. One of the interesting things found in the building’s ceiling when he moved in was a Scandinavian postcard from 1892. Sheldon lives next door in the Dutch Colonial architectural style home.

Minnehaha United Methodist Church
3701 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN
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United Methodist Church, 2701 East 50th Street, Minneapolis, MN

The first church was built in 1889 at 40th Avenue and 52nd Street. The first church became Trinity Lutheran Church of Minnehaha Falls in 1923. This church was built in 1924 with an addition in 1956. There was a fire in 1958 in which 5 firemen were hurt when the roof to the annex collapsed.  A new education building was built shortly thereafter.  Probably most famous for being the church of Sara Jane Olson (aka Kathleen Soliah) which stood by her during her trial as a Symbionese Liberation Army member who had participated in a 1970s terrorist bombing.  They supported her but did not excuse her acts as a revolutionary.  The congregation was described as “close-knit and liberal-minded” in a 1999 article. Olson was involved in housing issues and was a volunteer at the center for victims of torture. Her daughter (voice) and husband (trumpet) provided music during Sunday services.
Soliah’s husband, Gerald F. Peterson, said to the congregation, “I am overwhelmed by the love and support of this congregation.”

Al Vento
5001 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
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The building was built in 1926, was a restaurant by 1935.
The current occupant, Al Vento, opened in 2004 and has received a lot of good reviews (check out Twin Cities Restaurant Blog for some food photos) and one of the favorite features is their excellent patio.

Al Vento, 5001 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN

First known for its dinners, now also a great lunch spot.  Brunch is also served on weekends.  Nothing better on a summer evening then dinner on the Al Vento patio.  Great southern Italian (no cream sauces!) restaurant. The menu changes daily, features about 2 dozen Italian-inspired dishes.

We have had excellent gnocchi, risottos, lasagna and appetizers here. A sense of adventure always helps when ordering here – everything is good and interesting. Dessert is also good – tiramisu and crème brulee.  Nice Italian wine list.

Weekly Specials:
1/2 price bottles of wine everyday 4:30pm-6:00pm, and all night Sunday & Monday
Date Night every Tuesday – 4 courses for $20
Sandwich Night every Wednesday – $5 sandwiches

This is the site of where Ian’s wife, Kelly had one of her first meetings with his family which he recounts:

My sister, who lives in Longfellow, picked Al Vento as a place to celebrate her birthday dinner. With food allergies, vegetarians and acid reflux, we are a hard group to find a restaurant for. Well – one family member ordered fettuccini thinking alfredo – when it came with a red sauce he couldn’t eat it because of heartburn issues, and they tried to accommodate him but he refused to eat.  Kelly saw us in all our splendor and still married me!

3 Tiers Bakery
5011 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
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3 Tiers Bakery, 5011 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN

Opened in 2009, formerly Scandia Bakery.  Anders E. Wagg opened the first bakery here in 1935, and a bakery has been in this location every since.

Scandia Bakery operated from 1993 to 2009.  It was founded by couple Gary Arvidsen and Doris Lundberg.  It took its name from Lundberg’s family bakery that her father John Lundberg opened in 1951 in Seven Corners, it was run by her brother Terry at a Lake Street location until he sold it in 1992, it closed soon after.  Scandia was a reboot of the Lundberg family tradition that became solely owned by Arvidsen after the couple divorced. The bakery was a neighborhood favorite but Arvidsen was chronically late with rent payments and his lease was not renewed in 2009.  Scandia treats lived on at Bethel University coffee shop where Arvidsen was hired as lead baker.

Sarah Herr opened 3 Tiers bakery later in 2009.  First focused on cakes and fine pastries, the bakery expanded its menu for lunch and breakfast.  Later in 2011 the bakery expanded to a bistro-type menu for dinner, including a fine beer and wine list.  Although not yet iconic like Scandia was, it has been a hit in the neighborhood since it opened.

Skylanes Bowling
5019 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
Built in 1925, this location was originally a hardware store.  It was added onto and converted to Skylane Bowling in 1948.

Skylanes Bowling, 5019 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN

Oxendale Grocery
5025 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
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Originally a house sat at this address from 1919-1948 and then National Tea Company built a grocery store there in 1948. Oxendale is a union grocery store and offers a little bit of everything.

Oxendale Grocery, 5025 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church
3430 East 51st Street, Minneapolis, MN
Website

Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3430 East 51st Street, Minneapolis, MN

Originally a house sat at this address from 1924-1949. The congregation started as Morris Park Lutheran Church. In 1934 the members voted to change the name from Morris Park Lutheran Church to Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church.  As the airport encroached on the original location the congregation built this church in 1950. From church’s website, “The 50′s brought a period of intense growth for Faith Lutheran and by the mid 50′s it was clear that an expansion was needed for the then small church building.  The new building with the current sanctuary and basement space was completed and dedicated in September of 1958.”Tom Di Nanni’s Seeker’s Diary from the 1998 Star Tribune describes it as,” A welcoming, visitor-friendly congregation with a conservative theological perspective.”  It belongs to the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod.

Nokomis Hardware
5155 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
Built in 1926 as a candy store.
Opened in 1994. A great place to stop for things like single screws, keys made, and windows repaired.

Nokomis Hardware, 5155 34th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN

Intersection of 34th Avenue South & 51st Street East
Ian stated that a side benefit of the merger between the Minneapolis library system and the Hennepin County library system was that Hennepin has more pull to initiate change such as the inclusion of a 4 way stop so that people may safely cross the street to-and-from the library.

Intersection of 34th Avenue S and 51st Street E, Minneapolis, MN

St. Herman’s Orthodox Church
5355 38th Ave South, Minneapolis
Website

St. Herman's Orthodox Church, 5355 38th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN

Here since 1992. Originally built as Resurrection English Lutheran Church in 1957. By 1984 Resurrection Lutheran, originally a 400 member church, had its membership dwindle to 30.  The neighborhood was saturated with Lutheran Churches: the 2,600 member (in 1984) Trinity Lutheran Church was 4 blocks away.  Although I haven’t confirmed this- it is most probable that Resurrection merged with Trinity around 1992, they were of the same Lutheran synod.  Trinity later separated from the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) due to its more conservative stance on gay rights.
From Church website: St Herman’s began as the first mission parish of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA) in Minnesota in 1976, six years after the Moscow Patriarch had granted autocephaly (self-governance) to its parishes – the Metropolia – of North America. The parish was founded in the vision of the OCA: to become an expression of an American Orthodox Church and to make Orthodoxy accessible to the American people by serving in English.

For sixteen years, the parish had several temporary homes until 1992, when the parishioners purchased the building of their present location, a former Lutheran Church in South Minneapolis. For the first time, St Herman’s had a permanent address on the corner of 38th Ave So and 54th St. The building was in need of extensive repair; but over the years, the parishioners have made significant improvements and renovations in an effort to render the building, as much as possible, into an icon of the Kingdom of Heaven. The organ was sold; an open space was established in the nave, and an iconostasis erected to create a sanctuary.
In 1998, St Herman’s was recognized by Archbishop Job no longer as a “mission” but as an established parish.

The church is mainly a church of converts. More than half its members (including the priest, Reverend Paul Wesche) are converts.

Homes of Minnehaha

I love the diversity in home styles in the Minnehaha neighborhood. Here are a few that caught my eye. I’d love to know if you know the owners of any of these homes!

Furry Residents of Minnehaha

Minnehaha Canine Residents

Stade family cat, Mabel

Minnehaha Links

• Nokomis East Neighborhood Association - represents Keewaydin, Minnehaha, Morris Park and Wenonah neighborhoods.
• City of Minneapolis Minnehaha neighborhood profile
• Minnesota Compass neighborhood data – Minnehaha (PDF)

Invite me back!

Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing (especially interested in winter-friendly gems)!

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I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

The Calhoun Area Residents Action Group, commonly known by the acronym “CARAG,” is bounded by Lake Street and 36th Street to the north and south and Hennepin Avenue and Lyndale Avenue to the west and east. The neighborhood is in the heart of Uptown and is in walking distance of Lake Calhoun. CARAG is well established with three-fourths of its homes built before 1920. The neighborhood is also home to a strong mix of service and retail businesses, as well as four churches and a synagogue.

Source: City of Minneapolis CARAG neighborhood profile

Tour Guides

Because CARAG is a large neighborhood, I will be visiting it multpiple times. Last year, I received two tours – one guided by Jenna Bennet and the other led by Aaron Rubenstein.

Jenna Bennett, CARAG Tour Guide

Jenna Bennett had only lived in CARAG a few months at the time of our tour. She moved to Minnesota for work and graduate school. She is currently working at Carmichael Lynch Spong as a senior associate in Public Relations. In her free-time, she practices yoga, runs, bikes, cooks, checks out new restaurants and enjoys being outside as much as possible when the weather is nice. Jenna and I originally connected through Twitter. You can follow her – @jennasbennet.

Aaron Rubenstein, CARAG tour guide

Aaron Rubenstein moved to CARAG in 1996 and has become an active member of his community. He gives architecture and preservation tours of the neighborhood and has served as CARAG president. Aaron was a City Planner for the city of St. Paul and is currently a consultant on preservation issues for architecture and design firms.

Tour Routes

CARAG is a large, densely populated neighborhood with a lot to see. It will definitely require at least one additional tour post to do it justice. Neither guide chose to show me the retail and entertainment business district  around Hennepin Avenue and Lake Street so I want to return to capture more – want to be my guide?

CARAG Tour Routes

Aaron's Route & Tour Notes

Aaron planned our tour block-by-block and we saw a great deal of it but we fell short on time so I hope to walk the streets and alleys of CARAG with him in the near future.

Tour Highlights

El Meson, 3450 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis

To start our tour of CARAG, Jenna and I met for a drink on the El Meson patio.

El Meson
3450 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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El Meson food and menu

While there, we met a friendly couple, Dan and Katy, with their dog, Vianka. Dan is a musician and has been on tour with Rhythmic Circus.

Dan, Katy, and Vianka

Vianka is a glam dog.

I've never seen a "found parakeet" sign before walking through CARAG.

36th & Bryant Business Node

Our Kitchen, 813 West 36th Street, Minneapolis

Our Kitchen
813 West 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Yelp page

Gigi's Cafe, 822 West 36th Street, Minneapolis

Described as a coffee shop by day and dinner joint by night, Gigi’s Cafe has long been one of my go-to neighborhood restaurants. Ih the warmer months, Scott and I regularly make it our walking destination for weekend brunch (six miles round-trip). In 2010, Alex Woerlin sold Gigi’s Cafe to Kim Bartmann who owns many restaurants around Minneapolis.

Gigi’s Cafe
824 W. 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN
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Gigi's Cafe Espresso and Muffin

Children for the Future Mural by Aldrich Arts Collaborative

Easily missed unless on foot or bike, the Children for the Future mural is on the east side of Bryant Hardware (818 W. 36th). The mural was a community art project spearheaded by Aldrich Arts Collaborative, CARAG and Aldrich Church. You can go back in time and follow the progress by viewing the Flickr photo set.

Bryant Hardware, 818 W 36th Street South, Minneapolis

Bryant Hardware packs a lot of merchandise into a relatively small retail space. Like most neighborhood hardware stores, the moment you cross the threshold, friendly staff (or the owner) asks, “How can I help you today?”.

Kyle's Market, 826 West 36th Street, Minneapolis.

The Chair Salon, 3554 Bryant Avenue S, Minneapolis.

Voted City Pages “Best Haircut” in 2011, The Chair Salon is committed to the neighborhood and highlights its community involvement on their website.

The Chair
3554 Bryant Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Amelia Flower and Garden Shoppe, 910 W. 36th Street

Amelia Flower and Garden Shoppe
910 W. 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55410
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Homes and Gardens

While a main walking and biking attraction in this part of Minneapolis is Lake Calhoun, you’re in for a treat if you travel east and explore the residential streets. Jenna chose Colfax Avenue for our tour which gives a great sampling of the types of homes in the neighborhood.

Residence, 5545 Colfax Avenue South

CARAG residents tossing the football

Private CARAG Residence

"Welcome Home Daddy" - chalk message on stairs.

Apartment Building, 5509 Colfax Ave S, Minneapolis.

Private Residence

Private Residence, 3144 Colfax Avenue S, Minneapolis

Private CARAG Residence

Private CARAG residence

A summer scene in CARAG - Sunflowers and child on bike.

Manicured CARAG lawn

Beautiful CARAG home and garden

Arts and Crafts CARAG home

Garden gnome and Wellstone tribute

CARAG summer scene

CARAG Transportation

During my walks through CARAG, we spotted a variety of modes of transportation used by CARAG residents and visitors. A selection of some of my favorites:

Mercer Family Surrey Quadracycle

CARAG Scooters

CARAG Bicycle

CARAG Camper

CARAG VW Bus

Dave Peterson, CARAG resident and pestrian

During my tour with Aaron, we talked with Dave Peterson, who walks everywhere. When asked about his favorite location, he said it was home. He likes walking for environmental reasons but also because “you see things and run into people”. Simply put, that is exactly why traveling by foot is my preferred way of moving about the city.

Architectural Wonders and Other Points of Interest from Aaron

Since Aaron has given architectural and preservation tours within the CARAG neighborhood, he helped me notice details on buildings I may have otherwise missed. We met outside of the Eye of Horus, a “metaphysical store, Mythic Art Gallery and Labyrinth”.

Eye of Horus Metaphysical, 3012 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis.

Eye of Horus Metaphysical
3012 Lyndale Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Latham Building

Aaron told me that the Blue Nile used to be in the Latham Building 30 years ago. This 2001 City Pages article chronicles some the attempts at updating the Latham Building.

Falafel King, 701 West Lake Street, Minneapolis.

The sign and cast iron detail on the corner of the building make the Falafel King a unique presence at the corner of Lyndale Avenue and Lake Street (Lyn-Lake).

Falafel King
701 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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The Lyndale

Calhoun Building, 711 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

The Calhoun Building is a Classical Revival style six-floor building located on the south-side of Lake Street between Lyndale and Aldrich Avenues. Read more about the building architecture and its history by reading the website dedicated to it.  Aaron pointed out the turn of the century cornice with Art Decco modern freise below and noted that the “dark brick pokes its finger up into the stone”.

Calhoun Building details

Without Aaron as my guide, it would have never occurred to me to enter the Calhoun Building to see how the exterior details carry into the interior. We reveled in the fact that the space transported us back in time.

Calhoun Building Interior

Thurston Jewelers, 705 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

Thurston Jewelers was established in 1910 and describes itself as a hidden gem specializing in engagement rings. Since the Calhoun Building construction was completed in 1914, I’m curious about where it spent its first four years of business.

Thurston Jewelers
705 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Website 

Bill's Imported Food, 721 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

Aaron informed me that the owner is Kiki, not Bill. He also had a good laugh over the photos on the Olympia Gyros posters in the window:

Olympia Gyros Poster in the window of Bill's Imported Foods

Sidewalk Haikus

Left:

crazy man on street
pesters passers by
all saved by the bus

Top Right:

I love falafels
warmth that touches
buy some here

Lower Right:

artichokes live here
hearts of peeled splendoring
green ambrosia there

 

Photo below:

Mohn’s is the answer

for everything electric

in this neighborhood!

Electric Neighborhood Sidewalk Haiku

While touring the CARAG neighborhood, I first noticed a haiku about Falafel King but assumed it was clever advertising by the restaurant. As we kept walking down Lake Street heading west, I saw more.

I later found out (thanks to @ksukowat on Twitter) that it was part of theGuerilla Haiku Movement which held an event in Minneapolis on Saturday, September 24. The movement is described on their site as “In a nutshell: events are hosted (by me, or by you, or by someone else who is special) in cities all the world over.  People unite, are given a neighborhood map, a scavenger hunt, a bucket of sidewalk chalk and a 3-pronged mission: to cover as much of their given neighborhood as possible in haiku inspired by that neighborhood, to engage as many people as possible in the process, and to document their adventures with photos.”

Behind Lyn-Lake Buildings

Rear of Calhoun Building

West Side of the Calhoun Building

Park in Rear

The Park in Rear sign leaves no clue as to what was inside 909 Lake Street S at its prime.

Dunn Bros mural

The Dunn Bros at 821 West Lake Street sports a colorful mural. I wish I knew the artist as I always try to give credit to one of my favorite forms of public art. Does anyone have any information to share? Please leave a comment.

Dunn Bros
821 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Mohn Electric, 925 West Lake Street, Minneapolis

Mohn Electric
925 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Website

Arby's Sign, hard to miss on Lake Street

Arby’s
1116 West Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
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Delights of India, 1123 W Lake Street, MInneapolis

Aaron stopped in front of Delights of India to tell me that it used to be Blue Heron vegetarian restaurant in the 1970′s. The owner, Nancy Ann James, was married to Robert M. Pirsig, who wrote Zen and The Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.

Delights of India
1123 W. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Website

Buzzah Building, 1006 W Lake Street

The Buzzah Building was recently purchased from Minneapolis Public Schools by a development firm, Dominimum to create affordable housing in the CARAG neighborhood. From the Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal article written by Sam Black:

Originally built in 1916, the property opened as needle manufacturing plant and then was converted into the Buzza Greeting Card factory before theMinneapolis Public Schools bought it. The school district used it for administration staff and for storage.

According to Minnesota Compass, CARAG neighborhood as of 2010 had a total of 3,560 housing units (single and multiple). As you walk through the neighborhood, you’ll notice a mix of styles on every street. Unlikes some sections of Minneapolis, there is a diversity in architectural style and price point.

CARAG Home, 3038 Emerson Avenue South

CARAG Home, 3101 Emerson Avenue South

CARAG Home, address not documented

CARAG Door, 1231 W 31st Street, Minneapolis

Apartment Building, 1382 W 31st Street, Minneapolis

CARAG Duplex, 3116 Hennepin Avenue South

CARAG Home, 3112 Hennepin Avenue South, Minneapolis

El Capitan, 3210 Girard Avenue South

Rear of El Capitan, 3210 Girard Avenue South

El Capitan is and apartment building managed by Warner Properties, their website provides a few interior shots.

CARAG solar home

Pekin and Peoria Apartments, 3137 and 3139 Aldrich Avenue South, Minneapolis

Places of Worship & Healing

Pathways, 3115 Hennepin Avenue Minneapolis

Pathway is located a serene building right on Hennepin Avenue, lending to the mission to “provide resources and services for people with life-threatening illness to explore and experience complementary healing approaches”.

Taken in the Pathways Garden in the back of the building

Pathways
3115 Hennepin Avenue S, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Website

Joyce United Methodist Church, 1219 W. 31st Street, Minneapolis

Aaron wanted to pointed out the Spanish Mission style church with an interesting history, Joyce United Methodist Church. It was moved from its original plot of land on Lyndale Avenue to its current home on 31st Street.  The church building was recently hit by lightning and was surrounded by scaffolding preventing me from taking any exterior photos.

Steve Sewell, uptown resident

While admiring the building, Steve Sewell stopped to say hello before going into the service. He grew up in the Uptown area and retired from Lucia’s (he’s still loyal as you can see from his coffee cup).

Steve called Joyce Church the “Uptown Church of Joy” and later invited me back at noon for some really great food (an invitation in which I was unable to accept due to a conflict).

Bev (left) and Rose (right).

We also talked to Rose, an 87-year-old Joyce Church member. She lived in the area since the early 40’s and ran West High Pharmacy with her husband. She is the sweetest and is clearly loved as evidenced by the the big hug she received from Bev after she rode up to the church on her bike and joined us for a photo.

Joyce Church is extremely welcoming and I do plan on returning as I hope to cover it in depth as a neighborhood gem.

Joyce United Methodist Church
1219 W. 31st Street, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Webiste

New Wine Church, 810 W 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55408

New Wine Church
810 W 31st St, Minneapolis, MN 55408
Website 

CARAG Links

• City of Minneapolis CARAG neighborhood profile
• Minnesota Compass neighborhood data – CARAG (PDF)
• CARAG neighborhood association website I Facebook I Twitter
• Uptown Market
• Lake Street Council 

Invite me back!

I know that many iconic people and places are not covered in this initial tour post of CARAG. Would you like to show me what I missed? Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing.

Share with friends and leave a comment!

Twitter and Facebook buttons below allow you to easily share this blog post with your friends. While you’re at it, like Minneapolis 81 on Facebook and follow on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

The Bancroft neighborhood is located south of Powderhorn Lake, between 38th Street East to the north and 42nd Street East to the south, and between Chicago Avenue on the west and Cedar Avenue on the east. The neighborhood is named for the Bancroft elementary school, which was named for George Bancroft, an American historian born in 1800. The Bancroft neighborhood consists mostly of single-family houses built before 1940. The neighborhood also has some commercial development along Bloomington Avenue and 38th Street.

Source: City of Minneapolis Bancroft neighborhood profile

Tour Guide

Neal Baxter, Bancroft Tour Guide

Neal Baxter moved to the Bancroft neighborhood in the fall of 2003. He works in the deli at the Lunds grocery on Lake & Hennepin and walks to and from work every day (six miles roundtrip). He volunteers on two City of Minneapolis committees and is a member of the Bancroft Neighborhood Association board. For fun, he researches local history and maintains Minnesota Election Trends, a website that archives City of Minneapolis election results and stories.

His bio as written on the Minnesota Election Trends website:

Founder and originator of this website, Neal Baxter has roots in Minnesota back to the mid-1850s. His relations first settled in Minneapolis in the 1870s. He was moved to begin collecting material on the politics of Minneapolis while researching his great-grandfather, John G. Robb, who was an alderman.

Neal began collecting information on topics that interested him soon after learning to write. A compulsive listest, he first compiled lists of animals he knew about; later Neal’s imagination reached into historical time, music in a variety of styles, geography, politics and language. Poetry baffles him. Neal has a good memory for data, but none for narrative.

Neal has performed as a listest in venues around Minneapolis. He has a Luddite sensibility, and walks everywhere. You may have seen him.

Tour Route

Bancroft Tour Route - walked 3.36 miles on September 27, 2011.

Neal Baxter's hand-drawn map of Bancroft

Tour Highlights

Note: This tour was taken on September 27, 2011 with special guest, Emily, my sister visiting from Washington D.C. 

The below tour highlights were written by Neal Baxter and edited by Janelle Nivens. Some of the highlights do not have accompanying photos but were published so that you can view them as you walk or bike through the neighborhood on your own.

We met our Bancroft tour guide at his home where Jessica, former Organizer for Bancroft Neighborhood Association, welcomed us to the neighborhood. Jessica recently left the association for other opportunities and the Organizer is now Jillian.

Jessica, former Bancroft Organizer showing off her Bancroft Neighborhood Association tee.

Our tour started at 1213 E. 38th Street see a mural painted by kids from Bancroft School in 2009 and designed by students at El Colegio, all under the guidance of local artist Greta McLain.

Mural at 1213 E. 38th Street, a collaboration of Bancroft School and El Colegio.

Across the alley, on the corner of 38th Street and 12th Avenue, we walked through the Bancroft Meridian Garden (Neal’s favorite spot in the neighborhood). The Garden is managed and maintained by volunteers from nearby houses, who also raise crops or flowers in their own plots. The site has changed hands many times through the years. In the 1930s occupants included a grocery and butcher shop, and the local outlet for Cedar Lake Ice & Fuel.

Bancroft Meridian Garden

Ruth Kincaid Memorial Bench

Flowers in the Bancroft Meridian Garden

As we walked, Neal told us that from 1883 to 1887, 38th Street was the boundary between the City of Minneapolis on the north, and the Township of Minneapolis to the south. Bancroft did not become part of the City until 1887. In fact, from 1858 to 1867, Bancroft was in the middle of Richfield.

We walked south on 12th Avenue past the lovely gardens at 3820, 3824 and 3840.

Boulevard gardens on 12th Avenue South

The front yard of Yvette & Joakim’s house at 3829 12th Ave South has a lovely sculpture.

3829 12th Ave S. has a lovely sculpture in the front yard.

This beautiful purple house caught my eye.

We continued west on 39th, look at 3908 11th Avenue South, a lovely old house.   Charles Young’s grocery store was at 1111  E. 39th Street in the 1930s.

The first plot settled in Bancroft by Alberta & Georgia Swift and family from 1886 is 3841 10th Avenue South.

Near the corner of 10th & 39th stands one of Bancroft’s 4 churches: Believer’s Fellowship Christian Church, at 3900 10th Avenue. This church was built in 1915 as Open Door Congregational. In the early 1950s the Minnehaha Lodge #165 of the Masons used the building for their meetings (they now meet at 50th & Bloomington). Since the Masons left, the church has changed hands about every 10 years. Grace Gospel Assembly first, then Mormons in the 1970s, Saint Mark’s Baptist in the 1980s and Seven Star Missionary Church in the 1990s.

Believer's Fellowship Christian Church, 3900 10th Avenue South.

We walked north up 10th Ave. to 3812, where William W. Woodward lived, 12th Ward Alderman from 1889 to 1893, and 7th Ward Alderman from 1893-1895. Woodward was indicted for trying to bribe a congregation of church-goers for their votes, and fled town. He surfaced on a coffee plantation in Mexico, owned by a former colleague on the City Council. H.L. Moore, 7th Ward Alderman 1913-1915, lived at 3824 while serving on the City Council, and after leaving office moved next door to 3820.

Back on 39th Street, turn into Elliot, where 3915 dates from 1895 (possibly the neighborhood’s oldest house in existence), then continue toward Chicago Avenue.

Bancroft's oldest home, 3915 Elliot Avenue South, built in 1895.

With a mission statement of “In the City for Good”, Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 3901 Chicago Avenue South. The church was established at that site in 1924, the present edifice dates from 1930. Where the parish house is now (3907 Chicago) was the home of Cyrenius King from 1887 until 1906 or so.

Calvary Lutheran Church

Calvary Lutheran Church shares its space with Urban Arts Academy:

Urban Arts Academy is a nonprofit organization that offers arts education programs to children and families in South Minneapolis through preschool, after school, and summer arts programs.

We believe that every child has the right to art.

Urban Arts Academy, 3901 Chicago Avenue South

The South of Lake Farmers Market is held in the parking lot of Calvary Lutheran Church on Thursdays between July and September.

South of Lake Farmers Market

South of Lake Farmers Market 
Thursdays, 4–7 p.m.
July 14–September 29, 2011
Calvary Lutheran Church
3901 Chicago Ave South

In addition to the Farmer’s Market, 3901 Chicago Avenue South is home to an Urban Farming Community Garden. Urban Farming is a national organization with the mission:

…to create an abundance of food for people in need by planting, supporting and encouraging the establishment of gardens on unused land and space while increasing diversity, raising awareness for health and wellness, inspiring and educating youth, adults and seniors to create an economically sustainable system to uplift communities around the globe.

Urban Farming Community Garden made possible by local and national sponsors.

Built in 1888 by William Webster, 3945 Chicago Avenue South  is a lovely house with great details.

3945 Chicago Avenue South built by William Webster

At 40th & Chicago, we come to the RiverLake Greenway, which opened in June 2011. The Greenway is designed for recreational and commuter cyclists who want to avoid traffic.

RiverLake Greenway

Follow 40th east past 3937 Elliot, a house dating from 1893; then see 4012 Elliot, where lived Elwood B. Swanson. Swanson owned Swanson Grocery at 2404 E. 25th Street, and served Bancroft as Alderman 1945-1953.

On the corner of 10th Avenue (3952 10th Avenue), see another church. This was built in 1900 as Nazarene English Lutheran Church. In 1956 it became Church of the New Covenant. Fountain of Life Gospel Church has used the building since about 2000; at 3945 10th Avenue, see the fine old house, built 1891.

Fountain of Life Gospel Church, 3952-10th Avenue South

Fountain of Life Gospel Church, 3952-10th Avenue South

The traffic diverter at 11th & 40th Street, was installed here in 2010. The Bancroft Neighborhood board organized meetings to ascertain where residents along the path of the RiverLake Greenway would like to have one.

Traffic diverter at 11th & 40th Street

On our left, beyond the diverter at 3952 12th Avenue, is the home of Pam Costain, School Board commissioner from 2007 to 2011.

The area north of us (Chicago-12th Avenues and 38th-40th Streets) was the first part of Bancroft to be platted and built up. In other words, these few acres are the oldest in the neighborhood. Most of the houses south of 40th Street were built after World War II, long after the northern half of Bancroft.

Continue beyond 13th Avenue, noting as you cross 13th that west of it, Bancroft’s children attended Central High, and east of it children went to South, back when children attended neighborhood schools. Approaching 14th Avenue, note that Clyde Bellecourt, a founder of the American Indian Movement, lives in the vicinity.

At 40th Street & 14th Avenue South, we find the lovely Bush Terrace condos, which were built on the site of Bush Nursery in 1962.  Bush Nursery was founded by Guy D. Bush in 1922. Bush lived at 3948 15th Avenue South from 1912 on, and operated out of his lot there for 10 years before opening the Nursery across 40th Street.

Turn south on 15th Avenue and at 41st we come to Bancroft Meadows. This park, owned by the City and maintained by the Public Works Department of Minneapolis, replaced the houses here in 1991. Both this block and the one across Bloomington were covered by a little lake or a marsh until the area was drained and built up in the 1950s. The Bancroft neighborhood holds a picnic here every year in mid-July.

Bancroft Meadows Park, 42nd to 41st Streets and from Bloomington to 15th Avenues.

Built in 1960, the Nokomis Center has more than 4,000 square feet of retail space.

Nokomis Center, 4010 - 4016 Bloomington Avenue South

Across 41st Street, don’t miss the wonderful mural on the former Nokomis Lanes bowling alley. The Lanes had to get special permission from City inspectors to keep this mural on their wall. The bowling alley folded in 2010, but a church is moving in.

Former Nokomis Lanes bowling alley, 4040 Bloomington Avenue South.

Cross Bloomington Avenue South to see El Colegio Charter School. El Colegio is a small public high school in Minneapolis that serves students in English and Spanish. The school opened in September 2000. The emphasis on at El Colegio is on effective communication, creative expression and developing future leaders. Until the early 1990s a Country Club Market grocery occupied this site.

El Colegio Charter School, 4137 Bloomington Avenue South

We talked with the Executive Director about the mission and future for El Colegio. She said that people often make the mistake of thinking that El Colegio is a credit recovery school and recently the community has worked hard to increase the promotion of the school’s achievements.

Every year, El Colegio helps celebrate the Day of the Dead with an event that includes a procession from Lake Street to El Colegio. The vision for the future is to be a Latino community center where people can learn to dance, take evening classes, volunteer for language ESL, quilting classes as well as many other activities and events of interest to the community. There will be a sacred space for aztec dances, a soccer field, and a community garden on the land to the north of the school.

Norma C. Garcés, Executive Director of El Colegio

El Colegio Murals

Family on a walk in the Bancroft neighborhood

While you cross 16th Avenue to reach the church parking lot, you can see why I think 16th is one of the City’s prettiest streets. It has a lovely shady look from 31st to the Parkway and beyond.

At 3152 17th Avenue South is Bethel Lutheran, built in 1955. The church was built on land still vacant at that late date. Note that Bethel hosts the offices of the Bancroft Neighborhood Association.

Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 4120 17th Ave South

In 2012, construction should begin on the Southern Bicycle Connection which will run along 17th Avenue in the Bancroft neighborhood. The Southern Bicycle Connection is a north-south bicycle boulevard that will start at 24^th Street and travel South, connecting Minneapolis to Richfield.  The bicycle boulevard will go south along 17^th Avenue from 24^th Street to Minnehaha Parkway, then divert to other streets.

As we cross 41st Street between 17th and 18th Avenues, note that the alley separated the school districts of Bancroft and Standish public schools in former days. The alley between 17th & 18th from 41st to 42nd is a hoot, with the garages on the west side at your feet due to the hill.

At 40th and 18th Avenue we reach the highest point in the neighborhood, and the view is quite nice from here! For an equally dramatic view to the east, walk over to Cedar & 40th Street.

Down hill, at 17th Avenue & 40th Street, the two bike routes will intersect after the Southern is built in 2012.

North on 17th toward 39th Street at 3808 we find the newest house in Bancroft, built in 2010 to replace a house that was destroyed. This newly constructed home remains unoccupied.

We proceed along 39th again, to 3852 Bloomington, where lived Alderman John Swanson, City Council member from 1927 to 1939.

Continue to Bancroft School, at 38th between 13th & 14th Avenues, by walking through the schoolyard. The open field makes a wonderful spot to gaze at the stars and visit with neighbors. The school opened here in October 1911 as a temporary space. The present splendid edifice dates from 1912. Named for American historian George Bancroft. An earlier school named Bancroft sat from 1875-1896 where former Simmons School now is, at 3800 Minnehaha Avenue. In the spring and summer, take a look at the lovely flowers in the middle of the block along 13th Avenue, from your vantage point in the schoolyard.

Bancroft School Playground

Bancroft Elementary School, 1315 E. 38th Street

Bancroft Elementary School

The tours ends where it began, on Neal’s front porch. Neal says, “Thanks for your interest in our neighborhood. We love to show it off!”

Bancroft Links

• Bancroft Neighborhood Association website
• Bancroft Neighborhood Association Facebook page
• City of MInneapolis Bancroft neighborhood profile
• Minnesota Compass neighborhood data – Bancroft (PDF)
• Bancroft six word stories
• All photos from the Bancroft neighborhood tour

Invite me back!

Did I miss something on this tour? Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing.

Share with friends and leave a comment!

Twitter and Facebook buttons below allow you to easily share this blog post with your friends. While you’re at it, like Minneapolis 81 on Facebook and follow on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

For the past six years, I’ve called Downtown West neighborhood my home away from home. In 2006, I joined Capella University and spent Monday through Friday in the Campbell Mithun building at 9th Street & 3rd Avenue S. A couple of years later, my team moved to 225 S. 6th Street which was named Capella Tower in March 2009.

As of Friday, February 10, I will no longer work in downtown Minneapolis. I wanted to bid farewell to this wonderful neighborhood where 160,000 people work and 35,000 live. I will miss this neighborhood greatly and look forward to an official Minneapolis 81 tour within its bounds. If you’d like to show me your version of living or working in Downtown West, please complete the tour guide form.

Note: The following photos are a random collection of photos I’ve taken over the years. I love much more about Downtown West than what is represented visually.

Architecture

I love the buildings and architectural details of downtown Minneapolis. I highly recommend taking a look at them at all times of day and night and varying times of the year. You’ll notice different features.

Reflection of Foshay Tower

Crystal Court inside IDS

Minneapolis Central Library

View Minneapolis City Hall from Capella Tower

Wells Fargo Rotunda

View of Downtown West from Stone Arch Bridge

Art

Father of Waters, 350 5th Street S, City Hall Rotunda

Minneapolis is full of public art and there are many installations in Downtown West. It is worth walking through the accessible parts of private buildings for a look at art such as the Chihuly glass in the Capella Tower. Start Seeing Art is a guide to public art in the Twin Cities.

Rockman sculpture by Tom Otterness

Rockman is the name of several sculptures by Tom Otterness, installed in the plaza of the U.S. Courthouse.

Urban landscaping by Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District

An organization that works hard to create a healthy and vibrant downtown is the Minneapolis Downtown Improvement District. Their seasonal planters add a lot to the beauty of the city.

Gaviidae Commons Holiday Decorations

I’ll go ahead and classify holiday decor as art. Downtown Minneapolis is a great place to experience the wonder of the season.

Pantages Theatre Marquee

I will miss easy access to the box offices of the Hennepin Theater Trust theaters. I often purchased tickets in person during my lunch breaks.

Skyways

The skyways of Minneapolis have been featured in a number of articles and blog posts recently, pointing out the pros and cons of this notable feature. Love them or hate them, they are a major part of working life downtown. Nearly every day, I took a walk with one or more co-workers through the skyways to keep myself from going crazy in my cubical. Being able to get moving no matter the weather outside was a huge benefit. Don’t worry, my love of fresh air, food trucks (documented below) and public art motivated me to get outside as much as possible!

Minneapolis skyways

Food & Drink

There are so many great dining options in Downtown West. It makes brown bagging it a challenge for me but I’m happy I experienced as many great restaurants as I did while I was there. A regret is never helping Lazy Lightning with a lunchtime restaurant review but I will return so he can show me how to be a food critic who actually critiques (I’m too nice!).

Cafe Patteen Scone

This photo does not do justice for the wonderfulness of the Patteen scone. Unlike most scones, these are soft on the inside and more moist than dry. They are made fresh every morning and come in a variety of sweet and savory flavors. Patteen recently made the City Pages list of top coffee shops in Minneapolis.

A stack of bananas at Allie's Deli & Catering

This is a random photo to represent one of my favorite skyway lunch spots in Downtown West, Allie’s Deli & Catering. They offer breakfast and lunch daily Monday through Friday. My favorite is a cup of tomato dill soup with a half of Allie’s chicken salad sandwich. Delicious desserts stare up at you while you pay, making it a challenge to stick to those New Years resolutions. My co-workers and I have been known to turn around and give into temptation for a Rice Krispies bar.

Asian Max Spicy Green Beans

I could make a lunch out of Asian Max’s spicy green beans. With two skyway locations, they are a big hit for the lunch crowd.

Former Palomino Happy Hour Menu & Cranberry Mojito

My co-workers and I occasionally enjoyed Happy Hour and working in Downtown West made it easy to grab a drink and still have time to catch the Express bus home. We said good-bye last year to one of our favorite happy hours locations – Palomino which was replaced by Crave.

Food Trucks

I will make special trips back to Downtown West for the fantastic food trucks. If you haven’t tried a food truck, add it to your 2012 to-do list. I will continue to follow the MSP Street Food Twitter List by @sloped for the latest food truck locations and tweets. Most food trucks are closed for the season so I’m hoping my favorites will be returning.

Waleed of World Street Kitchen serving me a Curry Chicken Bahn Mi.

A favorite lunch of mine is World Street Kitchen’s Curry Chicken Bahn Mi. A bonus is talking with the owner and cooks as they are all up for some banter.

Dandelion Kitchen Food Truck

Another food truck favorite, Dandelion Kitchen.

Hola Arepa

In addition to loving their food, Hola Arepa will always have a special place in my heart. Early in the days of Minneapolis 81, I found myself standing next to Mayor RT Rybak in line. Though feeling a bit bashful, I knew I’d kick myself if I didn’t take advantage to the proximity. I greeted the Mayor and told him of my blog and my love for Minneapolis. He took my card and introduced me to his Chief of Staff, Jeremy Hanson Wills. Of course, I immediately documented the event with a tweet. I dream that one day Mayor Rybak will guide me through his neighborhood!

People

I will miss seeing people from all walks of life and from all age groups. Downtown Minneapolis is a great place for people watching and appreciating.

Couple walking in downtown Minneapolis

Young couple celebrating Valentine's Day 2011

Two friends celebrating the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton

The morning of the Royal Wedding between Prince William and Kate Middleton, Brit’s Pub had a party and Minneapolis residents did their best to wear hats with the flair of our friends across the pond. I will miss running into these random events on the streets.

People resting in Crystal Court in the IDS building

Twins Fan

I am not a huge sports fan but even I believe that you really can’t beat the vibe that downtown Minneapolis gets on a game day. Walking to Target Field on days when there was an afternoon game was a great break in the work day.

Skyway Bowling Tournament Team

Last year, I took a few photos of the Skyway Open and hope to do the same this year. I will really miss the easy access to events like this one after I leave.

Me getting my hair cut by Zoe of Juut Salonspa

Another reason to return to Downtown West on a regular basis is for my stylist, Zoe. I will miss the convenience of walking to Juut Salonspa during my lunch break but the special trip back will be worth it for Zoe and Amy, my two favorite Juut professionals!

My new work neighborhood

University of Minnesota

I am returning to the University of Minnesota and since I’ll be working on the East Bank, my new work neighborhood is called University. I will be within walking distance of Cedar-Riverside and Marcy-Holmes. Even though I worked at the U of M from 2002 until 2006, I was new to the Twin Cities and because I didn’t know anyone, I was focused on developing relationships with people instead of places. Also, I know that the U of M and its surrounding areas have changed a lot in the six years I’ve been gone. So, I look forward to your suggestions so I won’t be too homesick during my transition.

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Do you work in Downtown West? Do you live there? What are your favorite aspects of  the neighborhood? Have you lived or worked in the University neighborhood? What should be tops on my list of things to do/see/eat/drink?

Tangletown Sign

Neighborhood Profile

Tangletown neighborhood, located in southwest Minneapolis, is bound on the north by 46th Street, on the east by Interstate 35W, on the south by 54th Street and Diamond Lake Road and on the west by Lyndale Avenue South. Minnehaha Creek traverses the southern part of the neighborhood. The name Tangletown alludes to the street layout, which does not follow a traditional grid. Until it was renamed in 1996 the neighborhood’s name was Fuller, after its elementary school named for Margaret Fuller. Fuller was an American feminist, poet, essayist, journalist and educator during the latter half of the 17th century. The school was torn down and the land converted into Fuller Park in 1977. This small park, a center of community life, offers many activities and features a flower garden.

Source: City of Minneapolis Tangletown neighborhood profile

View of downtown Minneapolis from Tangletown.

Tour Guides

I’ve enjoyed two Tangletown tours by three tour guides with each person having a different experience living in the neighborhood.

Sarah Ellsworth, Tangletown Tour Guide

Sarah Ellsworth originally moved from Michigan to Minneapolis for law school, and has lived in Tangletown since 2010. She is now an attorney in the Public Defender’s Office in Anoka. Sarah loves all things food related – going out to eat, cooking, and visiting farmers markets. We met at Sweets Bakeshop – a perfect spot for Sarah since she has a dream of owning a bakery of her own some day. Sarah is thrilled that Tangletown has attracted several new restaurants in the past couple of years.

Tom Balcom, Tangletown Tour Guide

Tom Balcom has lived in the Tangletown neighborhood at 5129 Garfield since 1979. He’s been retired since 2006 from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, where he worked for 33 years.  On average, he plays senior softball twice a week, golfs once a week, sings and is active in several programs in his church, Judson Baptist in the Kingfield neighborhood at 41st and Harriet. He’s involved in several issues and projects with the Tangletown Neighborhood Association and the Citizens for the Minnehaha Creek Corridor, and is active in several historical organizations and activities: Minnesota Historical Society, Preservation Alliance of Minnesota, Hennepin History Museum, Preserve Minneapolis, Richfield Historical Society, bus tours and walking tours.  Tom is currently writing a book on Minnesota’s Main Streets.

Stephan Bossert, Tangletown Tour Guide

Stephan Bossert, his wife Julie and cats Ozone and X-Ray have lived in their Tangletown home since 2003. In his free-time, Stephan enjoys traveling (has been to 38+ countries,) gardening, welding, woodworking, and walking the streets of Minneapolis. He is currently on a quest to walk every street in Minneapolis, a feat that has only been documented one other time by Francine Corcoran in 2005. Stephan’s walking quest was recently featured in the Star Tribune article, “Stepping lively in city he loves“, that also tells his harrowing tale of surviving a rickshaw accident in Cambodia. I’ve kept in touch with Stephan by joining him on one of his walks and most recently by taking photos of his Garden Bells.

Garden Bells by Bossert Metal Arts

Garden bell, beautiful tone.  Hand crafted out of recycled CO2 fire extinguisher tanks.  Approximately 12 inches tall and 6 inches wide.  Each bell has multiple calendar dates hammered into the side from when it was manufactured and for each time it was pressure tested (about every 5 years).  Most of the tanks date back to the mid to late 1950′s.  Can be painted any color that you like! Price: $89.00
Email Bossert Metal Arts to purchase your own Garden Bell.

Tour Routes

Sarah's Tour Route from June 4, 2011

Tom and Stephan's Tour Route from September 24, 2011

Tour Highlights

46th Street & Nicollet Avenue Businesses

There are several businesses located near 46th Street and Nicollet Avenue a couple of which were highlighted by my tour guides.

Sweets Bakeshop, 4747 Nicollet Avenue S.

Sarah and I met for our walk at Sweets Bakeshop, a boutique bakery that specializes in cupcakes, French macarons and catering. Sweets Bakeshop often uses fun ingredients in their cupcakes and currently is featuring a chocolate and beer cupcake made with local brewer, Fulton Beer’s “The Worthy Adversary”, a Russian Imperial Stout.

Inside Sweets Bakeshop

Sweets Bakeshop
4747 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.
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Sun Street Breads, 4600 Nicollet Avenue S.

Sun Street Breads, owned by renowned baker, Solveig Tofte and her husband, Martin Ouimet is described as “a straight-up American Bakery Cafe, with made-from-scratch artisan breads and pastries, cookies and pies, and a few cakes.” Sun Street Breads also serves hot breakfasts, lunches and recently added dinner. Sun Street Breads was recently reviewed by We Got Served and is covered continuously by Heavy Table as their offerings have evolved since opening in Spring 2011.

Inside Sun Street Breads

Sun Street Breads
4600 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.
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There are many other businesses on the corner of 46th and Nicollet and I hope to explore them with you in the near future! If you’d like to introduce me to the places we didn’t visit, please fill out the Tour Guide form.

Diamond Lake Road & Nicollet Avenue Businesses

Tangletown Gardens, 5353 Lyndale Avenue South.

Tangletown Gardens is owned by Scott Enders and Dean Englemann. An overview of the two rom the Tangletown Gardens website:

We are both University of Minnesota Horticulture alumni, and we have more than 25 years experience in teaching, research, plant production, design and garden center management. We share a common passion, love and desire for what we do, and our business is truly an expression of us.

Wise Acre Eatery, 5401 Nicollet Avenue South.

When I heard that Liberty Frozen Custard was closing, I was devastated. For years, Scott and I walked to the refurbished 1950′s gas station for the best frozen custard either of us have ever had. My concerns of the unique building being neglected were short-lived because I learned that Scott Enders and Dean Englemann were going to expand their business and transform it into a beautiful farm-to-table eatery that delights all of the senses. Read reviews of Wise Acre Eatery by Heavy Table, Minneapolis/St. Paul Magazine, and local blogger, Nikol of Hubba Hubba Ding Dong.

Wise Acre Eatery
5401 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.
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Diamond Lake Hardware, 5425 Nicollet Avenue South.

Sarah wanted to make sure we stopped by Diamond Lake Ace Hardware, her go-to place when working on home projects. She likes the personalized attention she receives the moment she walks in the door.

Diamond Lake Ace Hardware
5425 Nicollet Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN
Website  

Diamond Lake Road & Lyndale Avenue Businesses

South Lyndale Liquors, 5300 Lyndale Avenue South.

Stephan Bossert highly suggests a trip to South Lyndale Liquors, voted in 2010 as City Page’s Best Liquor Store! They recently added murals by Erin Sayer which includes scenes of a St. Bernard, a tribute to their former shop dog, Abby.

South Lyndale Liquors Shop Dog

South Lyndale Liquors
5300 Lyndale Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.
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There are many other businesses near the corner of Diamond Lake Road and Lyndale Avenue and I hope to explore them with you in the near future! If you’d like to introduce me to the places we didn’t visit, please fill out the Tour Guide form.

Historic Tangletown

Tour Guide Tom

The majority of the tour led by Tom and Stephan was focused on the history of Tangletown. Tom, also known as “Tour Guide Tom”, regularly offers historic walking tours of Tangletown and I feel tremendously lucky to have gotten a personal tour led by this neighborhood historian and all around amazing Minneapolis citizen. I highly recommend you check out the Preserve Minneapolis 2012 historic walking tour schedule which should be released in March.

Washburn Public Library, 5255 Lyndale Avenue South.

We met outside of Washburn Public Library so that Tom could give us an overview of the history of the Tangletown neighborhood which used to be known as Washburn Park and then Fuller and became Tangletown in 1996. Learn more about the early days of this area by reading the Southwest Minneapolis Patch article, “History: When Tangletown was Washburn Park.”

Washburn Park, 1886 map.

53rd & Lyndale Avenue South is the former Main Street of Richfield.

Original Millstone from Washburn-Crosby Flour Mill

The Washburn Public Library is named for flour magnate and U.S. Senator William D. Washburn, founder of the Washburn-Crosby Milling Company, this library pays tribute to the Minneapolis’s milling history. The original Washburn-Crosby millstone was donated in 1971 by General Mills.

Lyndale Avenue Bridge

The existing limestone block bridge will be torn down in winter/spring 2012 and will be closed to traffic beginning January 17. Details included on the Hennepin County website.  Tom is certain that they will find archaeological evidence of the old Richfield Flour Mill.

New Lyndale Bridge Sketch

We walked along the Minnehaha Creek and then ventured into the tangled streets to view the beautiful homes within the neighborhood. 

Balcom Tangletown Home

Tom and his wife take great pride in their Tangletown home and have taken extra effort to maintain the architectural integrity while updating the home for their needs. They worked with an architect when adding the front porch so it would blend with the rest of the house.

Tangletown homes near Minnehaha Creek.

Home of Richard Carlson, actor (5103 Garfield Avenue South).

Actor in the 1950′s I Led Three Lives, Richard Carlson and his family lived at 5103 Garfield Avenue South.

Don't forget to notice the details when walking through Tangletown.

Washburn Park Water Tower

A description of the Washburn Park Water Tower from the City of Minneapolis website:

Historic Profile: The Washburn Park Water Tower was the cooperative venture of three individually distinguished men in their respective fields. Harry Wild Jones, the architect, was responsible for several other notable structures including the Butler Square Building and the Lakewood Cemetery Chapel. The water tower sculptures were designed by John K. Daniels, a well known local artisan, who also designed the milling figures on the Washburn Flour Mills Utility Building. The consulting engineer, William S. Hewitt, was the inventor of the Hewitt System of reinforced concrete construction. The Washburn Tower suggests a strong medieval feeling; its cylindrical dome is like a Roman warrior’s helmet. Eight hooded knights surround the tower in perpetual vigilance while, overhead, eight eagles stand, as if pausing in flight, atop the evenly spaced pilasters.

The above tower is actually the second tower at the site. The photograph and sketch below captures what the tower looked like from 1893 to 1931. To learn more about the Washburn Park Tower, read the PDF article “A Tale of Two Towers: Washburn Park and Its Water Supply” by Tom Balcom.

Original Washburn Park Tower photo and sketch.

Harry Wild Jones, Architect

Harry Wild Jones was an architect and in 1887 was the first non-farming resident of Washburn Park neighborhood which is now known as Tangletown. As stated above, he was the architect for the Washburn Park Tower and as well as Butler Square Building (Downtown West) and Lakewood Cemetery Memorial Chapel (East Harriet). The sketch on the right is of “The Rustic Lodge”, designed in 1884 but never built.

The work of Harry Wild Jones continues to be celebrated today by the Harry Wild Jones Society, a group of owners of his designs and others who appreciate his contributions. They have mapped his known structures around the Twin Cities, including his own home, built in 1887 at 1 Elmwood Place, near 51st Street and Nicollet Avenue South.

Harry Wild Jones Home, 1 Elmwood Place

Lustron Homes, prefab porcelain-enameled steel homes.

Unless you know to look for them, it is easy to pass the four Lustron homes located on Nicollet Avenue. When you do notice them, you’ll most likely want to linger awhile (even more reason to explore by bike or foot) because these prefabricated homes developed by the Lustron Corporation between 1947 and 1950 are some of the most unique homes in Minneapolis. The Minn Post article “Exploring Nicollet Avenue’s unusual Lustron houses” by Steve Date does a great job of explaining the history of the Lustron Corporation and gives insight into why this style of home was short-lived. This video was created by Steve Date and gives us a peek into the unique characteristics of the interior. The Nokohaha blog featured the nine Lustron homes in Minneapolis which includes a couple on Cedar Avenue South in the Field neighborhood.

Home with Frank Lloyd Wright designed windows.

Tangletown home, formerly a church parsonage

This eye-catching stucco home used to be a church parsonage and was moved to its current location when I-35 was constructed.

Tangletown home formerly owned by Charles Schulz

Once home to “Peanuts” cartoonist, Charles Schulz, 112 Minnehaha Parkway was under construction during our tour. I also learned from this 1997 Star Tribune article that he used to live in my neighborhood of Armatage at 5521 Oliver Avenue South.

City of Minneapolis marker

In one of the front yards along Minnehaha Parkway, we discovered and practically tripped over this marker. We are guessing it is a public works marker and can surmise that the C and M are City of Minneapolis but we can’t be certain about the rest. If you know any details, add them in the comments below, please!

Minnehaha Creek

All of my tour guides mentioned the Minnehaha Creek as one of their favorite places within the neighborhood. Most would agree since the biking and walking trails (part of the Grand Round National Scenic Byway) are heavily used year-round and in the warm months, canoes, kayaks and makeshift rafts can be seen floating down the creek.

Sledding Hill

Most years, this hill is converted into a popular sledding hill. Kids and adults alike ride down it only to be stopped by bales of hay. I was going to include a winter-time photo for this post but Mother Nature has other plans for the hill this year.

More Tangletown Homes

Tangletown Door

Walking through Tangletown, there is so much to see. Even the doors on the homes have gained attention. Elizabeth Vandam wrote “The doors of Tangletown : a historical reflection of Washburn Park” and talks about the book in this Southwest Journal article.

Homes of Tangletown

Tangletown home with modern metal roof.

Gardens of Tangletown

The homeowners in Tangletown take pride in the beautification of their property. Many homeowners show off their personality with their choice in landscaping and garden accessories like this vintage bench.

X-Ray and Ozone, feline residents in the Bossert home.

I had the opportunity to tour Stephan and Julie Bossert’s Tangletown home. It is absolutely gorgeous and filled with artistic details.

Card Catalog Wine Cabinet.

The Bosserts repurposed a vintage library card catalog cabinet as their wine storage.

Wood and metal pieces by Stephan Bossert.

Throughout their home, Stephan has on display furniture and art pieces made by his own two hands. I hope to commission a book tower from him. As mentioned above, contact Bossert Metal Arts for more information on his pieces.

Schools

Ramsey School, Performing Arts Magnet, 1 W 49th Street.

From the Ramsey School website:

Built in 1931, Ramsey School, Performing Arts Magnet is named after Minnesota’s first territorial governor and second state governor, Alexander Ramsey. Our school has gone through several transitions over the years, and now serves as one of two fine arts magnets for the Minneapolis school system. We are home for about 1,000 students from kindergarten through eighth grade. We offer learning in and through the fine arts to all of our students. Those arts areas include theatre, dance, strings, band, choirs, and visual and graphic arts.

Washburn High School, 201 West 49th Street.

The vision of Washburn High School as stated on their website:

To provide students with an education that promotes academic, artistic and athletic achievement. All students have access to challenging course work, delivered by committed staff, creating an environment of high expectations. In this thriving international school community, young people from all cultures and diverse backgrounds are understood and respected.

Tangletown Books & Articles

Tangletown books

Tangletown has been featured in several books, four of which Tom showcased above. Tom is a role model for neighborhood historians and a great example of someone who has become knowledgeable of the history of their place in the world and shared it with others. I know several of my tour guides could follow in Tom’s steps and publish their Minneapolis discoveries for others to enjoy for many years.

Tangletown Links

• Tangletown Neighborhood Association website
• Tangletown Neighborhood Association Facebook group
• Citizens for the Minnehaha Creek Corridor website
• Citizens for the Minnehaha Creek Corridor Facebook page
• City of Minneapolis Tangletown neighborhood profile

Invite me back!

Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing (especially interested in winter-friendly gems)!

Share with friends and leave a comment!

Twitter and Facebook buttons below allow you to easily share this blog post with your friends. While you’re at it, like Minneapolis 81 on Facebook and follow on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

2011 Neighborhood Tour Recap

Since May 2011, I have toured 31 neighborhoods, 21 of which have been published on this blog. Throughout the winter of 2012, I will be publishing tours of Tangletown, Kenny, C.A.R.A.G, Minnehaha, Standish, Bancroft, Harrison and Kingfield (part II). Starting in the spring, I will be finishing the Whittier and Stevens Square-Loring Heights neighborhoods as well as a long list of other neighborhoods who have interested tour guides.

2011 Tour Guides

Map of Favorite Neighborhood Gems

You can visit most of the selected gems any time of year. Use this map and the links below to plan your own tour!

View Top Neighborhood Gems of 2011 in a larger map

Favorite Neighborhood Gems by Neighborhood

Armatage

Pizzeria Lola

Pizzeria Lola, 5557 Xerxes Avenue South.

Pizzeria Lola
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Audubon Park

Hollywood Theater

Hollywood Theater, 2815 Johnson Street NE, is designated a local historic landmark.

Information on Hollywood Theater available via the Community Planning & Economic Development office.

Cedar-Riverside

African Development Center and Afro Deli & Coffee

African Development Center of Minnesota and Afro Deli & Coffee, 1931 South 5th Street.

African Development Center
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Afro Deli & Coffee
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Cooper

Longfellow Grill Patio Parties

Longfellow Grill Patio Parties, 2990 W River Parkway, Minneapolis, MN.

Longfellow Grill
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Corcoran

Paint the Pavement

Paint the Pavement, intersection of 34th Street and 19th Avenue South.

Thanks to Phillip O’Toole, you can watch the Corcoran community collaborate on Paint the Pavement by watching his short film.

East Harriet

Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board Employees

Leslee Hagberg and Monica Sharratt, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board employees.

A large section of the East Harriet neighborhood is taken care of by the dedicated staff of the Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board. During the East Harriet tour, we witnessed Leslee and Monica cleaning up a form of vandalism to a fountain within the Rose Garden.

Elliot Park

Band Box Diner

Band Box Diner, 729 S 10th Street

Band Box Diner Facebook page.

Hiawatha

Trails of Minnehaha Falls Park

Scenes from the trails of Minnehaha Park.

Before taking the Hiawatha tour, I was not aware of the extensive trail system within Minnehaha Falls Park. This PDF map will help you explore nine miles of trails.

Kingfield

Kingfield Farmers Market

Kingfield Farmers Market

Kingfield Farmers Market
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Linden Hills

Elise & Norman Reed’s Art Tree

Close-up shots of art featured in the tree.

Since 2009, I’ve been watching and documenting the evolution of what I have come to call “The Art Tree of Linden Hills.” It was during one of my visits that I became connected with my tour guide, Elliot Altbaum who lives a few doors down from the Reeds.

Loring Park

Street between Nick & Eddie and Cafe & Bar Lurcat

Alley in-between 1624 and 1612 Harmon Place, Minneapolis, MN.

McKinley

View from Perkins Park

View of downtown Minneapolis from Perkins Hill Park.

Pack a picnic and experience tremendous skyline views from Perkins Hill Park.

Near North – Old Highland

Historic Homes

Historic Old Highland Homes in the Near North Neighborhood

Learn more about Historic Old Highland Project.

North Loop

House of Balls

Inside the House of Balls gallery and studio.

House of Balls Website.

Northrop

St. Mary’s Cemetery

Scenes from St. Mary's Cemetery, 4403 Chicago Ave, Minneapolis, MN.

Powderhorn Park

Full Cycle

Full Cycle, 3515 Chicago Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Full Cycle Website.

Seward

Corner of 27th & Franklin Avenue

Corner of 27th & Franklin has all you need for a great evening at home after work.

Sheridan

NE Sculpture Tour

NE Sculpture Tour

Map of the self-guided NE Sculpture Tour.

St. Anthony East

Moose on Monroe

Moose on Monroe, 356 Monroe Street NE.

Moose on Monroe
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Victory

Loring Schoolyard Garden

Loring Schoolyard Garden/Kids Cook

Loring Schoolyard Garden is part of the Kids Cook program.

Waite Park

ALM Corner Cafe

ALM Corner Cafe, 3301 Central Av. NE, Minneapolis, MN.

ALM Corner Cafe Facebook page.

Willard Hay

Homewood Studios

Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Avenue North.

Homewood Studios
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Happy New Year

Thank you, friends of Minneapolis 81, for supporting this project through your words of encouragement. I appreciate hearing your reactions to the neighborhoods featured and look forward to continuing to discover all that Minneapolis has to offer with you in 2012. May you have a safe and happy holiday and a wonderful start to the new year.

Neighborhood Profile

The Victory neighborhood is located in north Minneapolis west of Penn and Newton avenues, east of Xerxes Avenue, between Dowling Avenue on the south and the Humboldt Industrial Area on the north. The neighborhood was named after Victory Memorial, a memorial to World War I veterans and fallen soldiers. Victory Memorial Drive is part of the Grand Rounds parkway and bike path circuit. The neighborhood contains vintage homes from the 1920s and 1930s through the 1960s, some which are being rehabilitated today. There are many first-time homebuyers in Victory.

Source: City of Minneapolis Victory neighborhood profile

Tour Guides

Nick, Melena and Josephine. Photo Credit: Jenessa Petersen

Nick and Melena Gasper and their 9 month-old, Josephine along with their two Shiba Inu dogs, Pj and Kitsune. Nick purchased his home in Victory in 2004 at the age of 23. Melena joined him in the home in 2008. Melena is an artist and Nick is a system administrator for an ISP. Nick and Melena like that people in the neighborhood are invested in their community.

Tour Guest

Photo credit: Alicia Adams.

Alicia Adams joined us for our tour of the Victory neighborhood. Alicia was Program Outreach Coordinator for Bike Walk Twin Cities at the time of our tour. She is now working with Venture North Bike Walk & Coffee in the Harrison neighborhood.

Tour Route

Victory Tour Route

Tour Highlights

Victory 44, 2201 North 44th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Melena and Nick suggested we meet at Victory 44, the newest restaurant in the neighborhood located at 2201 North 44th Avenue.

Victory 44, 2201 North 44th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

I had the house made iced chai latte; served via shaker at the table and the devils on horseback which are bacon wrapped dates with a side of blue cheese whiz and cherries.

John and Sam, young Victory residents.

Victory Neighborhood Association, 2200 44th Avenue N.

Home or Business?

One of the cutest buildings I’ve seen on my tours is at 2208 44th Avenue North. We were not sure if this is a private residence or a business. If you happen to know, please leave a comment.

Victory home.

The above private residence had quite a display of Tiffany lamps on their patio. Many people are expanding the living space by creating outdoor rooms. This may be the first time I’ve seen this done with the use of lamps!

Victory homes.

Of their neighborhood’s culture, Nick and Melena said:

Victory is almost entirely residential, so it’s fairly quiet. There are a lot of young families here, as well as older couples, and a diverse population. We have one of the largest (if not the largest) percentage of gay couples and families as well.

Loring Schoolyard Garden/Kids Cook.

We stopped at Loring Community Elementary School where I could have spent the entire duration of our tour taking photos of the Loring Schoolyard Garden which is part of the Kids Cook program. The colorful signs, vegetables and flowers make are a day brightener and worth a special trip in late spring/early summer.

Vegetables from the Loring Schoolyard Garden.

Victory Park, 4414 Upton Avenue N, Minneapolis, MN.

Next to Loring Community Elementary School is Victory Park. It was full of families and teens playing in the playground and competing in a basketball game and riding their bikes in the tennis courts.

Energy saving home.

Newer home construction with a mosaic.

Victory Memorial Drive.

Within Victory neighborhood is the Victory Memorial Drive Historic District commemorating fallen World War I soldiers from Hennepin County. Part of the Ground Rounds, Victory Memorial Drive is a 3.8 mile landscaped boulevard featuring many sculptures, bronze markers dedicated to soldiers, a flagpole and a statue of Abraham Lincoln.

Victory Memorial Drive Flagpole.

Abraham Lincoln Statue, donated in 1929.

Explanation of symbolism of Grand Army of the Republic markers.

Grand Rounds sign marking nearby points of interest.

Victory home has a brooch!

Victory Memorial Parkway green space.

Bronze memorial marker.

Home with character.

Duane Atter outside of his Victory home.

Papa's Restaurant & Deli, 4159 Thomas Ave North, Minneapolis, MN.

Papa is on the right and joined with three of his employees.

Surly Abrasive, artichoke dip and East Coast Tomato Pie.

Cannoli is made in house.

Church of St. Austin, 4050 Upton Ave N Minneapolis, MN.

Noble Academy, 4021 Thomas Ave N Minneapolis, MN,

Noble Academy strives to provide relevant, quality, multicultural education that incorporates Hmong language and culture.

Church at dusk.

Barbershop, closed.

Another Bad Creation by Neicy, 3111 Penn Ave N, Minneapolis, MN

Anschel Private Residence.

Michael Anschel of Otogawa-Anschel led the movement to allow Minneapolis homeowners use native Prairie grasses in their landscape. His passion to change the law was sparked after his native grasses were mowed by the City because it violated a former 8-inch limit. Read more about his success in this Star Tribune article, Yards can go au naturel in Minneapolis.

Melena's artwork.

We ended our tour at the Gasper home. In the front of the home, Melena has her art studio where she creates beautiful canvases of magnificent color. Learn more about her art and contact for pricing at Canvas Throwdown.

Victory Links

• Victory Neighborhood Association
• Victory Neighborhood Association Facebook Page
• City of Minneapolis Victory neighborhood profile
• Northside 365

Invite me back!

Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing (especially interested in winter-friendly gems)!

Share with friends and leave a comment!

Twitter, Facebook, Google+ andLinkedIn buttons below allow you to easily share this blog post with your friends. While you’re at it, like Minneapolis 81 on Facebook and follow on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

Willard-Hay is located in the northwest part of the city. The neighborhood is south of West Broadway Avenue and stretches from Penn Avenue to Xerxes Avenue. It gets its name from two elementary schools within its borders: Francis Willard and John Hay. The former was named after an American educator, author and reformer born in 1859, and the latter was named after an American diplomat and author born in 1839. A mainly residential area, the neighborhood includes Willard-Homewood, one of the city’s first planned developments, built during the first quarter of the 20th century and located south of Plymouth Avenue.  Source: City of Minneapolis profile of Willard Hay neighborhood

Tour Guide

Bill Cottman, Willard Hay Tour Guide.

Bill Cottman has lived in the Homewood section of Willard-Hay neighborhood since News Years Day of 1999. Now retired, Bill is an artist focusing on photography, writing, jazz music and programming. He also spends a lot of time grandparenting and lives a block away from his daughter, Kenna and her children, Yonci and Ebrima. Learn more about the talented Cottman family by visiting Salon 1016.

Tour Route

I consider this tour of WIllard Hay as the first of many visits. I hope that you will consider showing me the parts of the neighborhood not covered in this first tour which focused on the Homewood section of the larger neighborhood. Sign up to be a tour guide for Spring/Summer 2012 or nominate a neighborhood gem to be covered anytime!

Willard Hay neighborhood (purple) with Homewood section highlighted (red).

Willard Hay is a large neighborhood and within its bounds, the Homewood neighborhood is highlighted using red shading. Bill decided to focus our walk within the Homewood boundaries. As stated in the neighborhood profile, Homewood was one of the city’s first planned communities. It was an early version of a gated community. Unfortunately, like much of the country, the development was a means of discrimination against Jewish and African American citizens. Homewood Studios has chronicled this neighborhood’s history.

Tour Highlights

Homewood Studios, 2400 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN.

Homewood Studios was established in 1999 with the vision of being regarded as a safe, creative, desirable and healthy place to live and work and grow.” (source: Homewood Studios website). They have a rotatingschedule of artist exhibitions, improvised music and book readings.In 1998, owner, George Roberts expanded on this vision during a zoning hearing:

Source: Homewood Studios website.

Plymouth Avenue Art Studio, 2404 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN.

Next door to Homewood Studios, you’ll find Plymouth Avenue Art Studio. From the studio’s website:

Shirley Jones, MFA has been teaching art in the public school system for over 30 years. She completed her Masters of Fine Art (MFA) degree at the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Her career has been honored with exhibits at the Phipps Art Center, Minneapolis Institute of Art, St. Paul Companies and the Guthrie Theatre. Currently, much of her time is spent teaching and creating innovative pieces of artwork.

Juxtaposition Arts mural on the side of Asian Media Access building, 2418 Plymouth Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN.

Established in 1992, Asian Media Access uses technology to reach a wide audience for Pan Asian issues primarily focusing on social betterment.

Artists' Core, envisions this land to be used as a community for artists and their families.

The stretch of Plymouth Avenue North is friendly to artists and it would only make sense to continue that on the block west. The Artists’ Core has a Facebook group but there have not been any posts since April 2010 and I was unable to gain recent updates. If you have information, please post in the comments!

Green space at Sheridan and Plymouth Avenue North used to be Uncle Bill’s Convenience Store.

Green space at Sheridan and Plymouth Avenue North used to be Uncle Bill’s Convenience Store. Bill shared with me that violations led to it being torn down. Hopefully the community can find a use for this space that aligns with their vision of a healthy place to live and work.

The Homewood Apartments, 2480 Thomas Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN.

Original stone marker from the early 1900's.

Stone markers from the 1900′s delineated the Homewood development from the rest of the neighborhood. The markers were deteriorating and the neighborhood chose to spend neighborhood revitalization funds to help restore and preserve them.

FIre and tornado damaged home.

Homes along Xerxes Avenue North incurred tornado damage.

While most of Willard Hay was not hit by the tornado that touched down in North Minneapolis the summer of 2011, some of the homes along the western edge did experience damage and lost a lot of trees.

Home of Carl Eller, former Vikings football player.

Bill pointed out former University of Minnesota Gophers and Minnesota Vikings football player, Carl Eller’s home. Inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2004, Eller has been active in his retirement in North Minneapolis.

Access to the trails of Theodore Wirth Park.

Although Theodore Wirth Park runs the western edge of the Willard Hay neighborhood, BIll mentioned there are not many easy access points to the trails.

Green space along the train tracks.

Townhomes in Homewood neighborhood.

Private residence in the Willard Hay - Homewood neighborhood.

Community garden and private residence.

My favorite part of the Homewood neighborhood is the triangle shaped garden between Thomas Avenue North, Oak Park Avenue North and Seridan Avenue North (shaded in dark green below). The history of this community garden is that it used to be a 5 street intersection where automobile accidents regularly happened. The Block Club turned it into a little park/garden. Susie Iasaacsman, planted gardens and worked on beautification but unfortunately, the City of Minneapolis mowed over it.  Sheri and Stefan live in the white stucco home on the Thomas Avenue North side of the garden. The wood block baracade was added because of cars driving through community garden.

Homewood neighborhood shaded in purple. The triangle shaped community garden is in green.

Bill and Beverly Cottman residence.

Homewood residence.

Residence of Alfrieda, German-American neighbor.

Farwell Park, 1201 Sheridan Avenue North, Minneapolis, MN.

Bill’s wife, Beverly is a storyteller and goes by the pseudonym of Auntie Beverly. Her character was born under a tree at the park where she told her first story to her then 2-year old grand-daughter.  Beverly’s work samples are available on the Salon 1016 website. Bill told me about the work of resident, Lorraine who does programming at the park. She does this on her own without financial support. She has been known to go from having curse words spat at her by youth experiencing frustrating situations and through her balance of compassion and discipline, earns the respect and love of those same children. In fact, during our visit to the park, Bill and I hung out with a group of kids who had kind words for Lorraine. Sounds like a future neighborhood gem post to me!

Kids at the park showed me their favorite tricks.

Bill showing the kids his iPhone photos.

I gave the group of Willard Hay kids my point and shoot camera and I love the results:

[[Show as slideshow]]

Al McFarlane, Founder and CEO of Insight News.

I was fortunate that while in Farwell Park, Al McFarlane drove by and stopped to talk to Bill. Al has been in the media business for more than 37 years and is Founder and CEO of Insight News, a community newspaper with an editorial mission of: “Information, Instruction, Inspiration in a user-friendly, culturally relevant communications vehicle.” In addition to paper copies, digital issues of Insight News are available through Issuu, a digital publishing platform.

Private residence, Willard Hay neighborhood.

Willard Hay/Homewood Links

• Willard Hay Neighborhood Profile
• Willard Homewood Organization
• Minnesota Compass neighborhood data - Willard Hay (PDF)

Invite me back!

Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing (especially interested in winter-friendly gems)!

Share with friends and leave a comment!

Twitter and Facebook buttons below allow you to easily share this blog post with your friends. While you’re at it, like Minneapolis 81 on Facebook and follow on Twitter! I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

Corcoran neighborhood, just east of Powderhorn Park, is between Lake Street East and 36th Street East and between Cedar Avenue South and Hiawatha Avenue. Named in honor of William Wilson Corcoran (1793-1889), who founded the Corcoran Gallery of Art in Washington D.C., this is a mainly residential neighborhood – more than 60 percent of the land is used for single-family residences. The light-rail stop at Lake Street gives the neighborhood an easy connection to Downtown, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport and the Mall of America. In addition, plans to develop the Lake Street corridor as a commercial thoroughfare are under way, and will have an important local impact.

Tour Guide

Jim, Amy and Piper Arcand.

Amy Arcand  has been the Executive Director of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization for 9 years.  She and her husband, Jim have lived in Corcoran for 8 years.  They have a 3 year old daughter, Piper, so most of their free time is spent at the park, playing in the yard, coloring, painting, going for walks, swimming, playing Candy Land, or pretending they are princesses.  Jim and Amy love to camp, travel, cook, and hang out with their friends and family.  Jim plays golf in a league at Hiawatha Golf Course and Amy has been in a book club with friends for more than 10 years.While on our walk I learned that Amy has a lot in common with my sister – she graduated from Humphrey with an MPA and studied in Namibia.  Her African study abroad experience was through Augsburg in 1993 right after Nelson Mandela was elected President of South Africa.

Tour Route

Route of the Corcoran tour on August 13, 2011.

For visitors, Amy suggests:  To get here, take the [light rail] train to the Lake Street station or ride a Nice Ride bike on the Greenway, then work out at the Midtown YWCA, and finish off with a stop at the Midtown Farmers Market [May - October] for the best locally grown produce in town.

Tour Highlights

I asked Amy to describe the culture of Corcoran and she had this to say:

Corcoran’s cool!  It’s this little neighborhood with a BIG personality.  On every block you will find a mix of renters and owners, cultures, interests, languages, income levels, and new and established residents.  The Midtown Farmers Market and the YWCA are like our main street where you can’t help but run into people that you know and hundreds of young people flock to our neighborhood every day during the school year to attend South High. We’re accessible, with an LRT stop, a great bus route that goes through the neighborhood, and access to the Greenway just a block north of Lake Street.  Residents actively engage in projects around the neighborhood like Corcoran GROWS, Mujeres en Accion y Poder, public art, land use planning, community gardening, and National Night Out.  Corcoran has it’s own monthly newspaper that is created by neighborhood volunteers for over 26 years.  For me, it’s a great place to live, work, and play and I’m lucky to get to do all three!

Arcand's sauna.

We started our tour at Amy’s beautiful home and took photos in the backyard. I couldn’t help but notice what I thought was a huge barrel of wine or beer! Turns out, it is a sauna! Amy purchased the Minnesota made barrel sauna for Jim’s 40th birthday. I’ve already made reservations for a visit this winter!

Tree of Life (2011) by Megan Moore, 3501 20th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN.

Throughout Corcoran, you’ll see brightly colored walls on commercial and residential properties. While this public art initiative may have started to combat gang graffiti, it has turned into a community enrichment activity in which artists lead volunteers through the process of mural painting. I was lucky to be part of a major public art project in Corcoran- Paint The Pavement- which you will see at the end of this post.Corcoran Neighborhood Organization makes it easy for anyone to go on a public art walking or biking tour as they have mapped out all locations. Please remember to be respectful of residents and businesses as many of the murals are on private property.

Flowers (2011) by Megan Moore, 3501 20th Ave South, Minneapolis, MN.

Corcoran Home

Sheep (2011) by Elise Kyllo, 2010 E. 35th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

I highly recommend a walk through Corcoran to see all of the homes and landscapes with unique personalities. It is one of the areas in Minneapolis in which every block has varying styles of architecture. I am certain Corcoran is beautiful any time of year but I am so happy I was able to see the beautiful flowers in bloom. It is clear that Corcoran citizens take pride in their homes – rented or owned.

Hiawatha Yoga, 2223 E 35th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

From Hiawatha Yoga’s website:

Hiawatha Yoga LLC is a small community based center. We offer small classes that will offer you individual attention for your needs. Hiawatha Yoga strives to build community so people can get to know each other and feel connected to each other and their community. Hiawatha Yoga offers wellness classes for regular people of all body types and needs.

Get social with Hiawatha Yoga: Facebook I Twitter

Joe Hesla and nephew, Sam.

Before the Minneapolis 81 tours, I ask my guides about notable residents they think I should meet. I was fortunate to run into one of the notables on Amy’s list, Joe Hesla. He and his nephew, Sam, were walking passed Hiawatha Yoga and stopped to chat. Joe is co-chair of Corcoran Grows, a Transition Town movement which strives to move from dependence on oil to become more reliant on local resources.

Corcoran Grows painted door on display in a garden.

To help promote awareness, Corcoran Grows has hosted public art/repurpose projects for two years in which community members create pieces of art out of unused or underutilized doors. You can see these works of art all over the neighborhood and beyond. After the 2011 event the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization chose several works of art to be displayed on the side of their office.

Corcoran home.

Chatterbox Pub, 2229 E. 35th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

In addition to a full menu of food and drink, Chatterbox Pub is a great place to bond with your dining companions through a little good old-fashioned friendly competition. The living room style decor lends itself to game pits where patrons can check-out electronic games on Atari, Nintendo and Sega Genesis as well as board games like Yahtzee, Apples to Apples and Jenga.Find Chatterbox Pub on Facebook & Twitter.

The Corner Mini Market, 3501 23rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

We stopped into The Corner Mini Market to say hello to Abdul and though he would’t pose for a photo, I want it to be known that he is an extremely welcoming gentleman. He gave us complimentary sodas and I was excited to find a rare soda – diet and caffeine-free Squirt.The latest deals are advertised on The Corner Mini Market’s Facebook page.

Shear Art Hair Studio, 3503 23rd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Shear Art Hair Studio is a colorful, Paul Mitchell Focus Salon offering cuts, coloring, waxing and nail services.  We met Ashley when we stopped by and she kindly posed for a photo.Socialize with Shear Art: Facebook I Twitter

Bratt Tree Company, 2230 East 35th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

The Bratt Tree Company’s office is located in a former Pure Oil Station which was renovated to maintain the features of the gas station including the pumps.  The history of the company is explained on the website:

Jon Bratt and his father, Walter Bratt founded Bratt Tree Company in 1991, and Jon’s brother Stan joined the company the following year, after serving in the U.S. Air Force.The small basement business in the Longfellow community of south Minneapolis has steadily grown.

A slice of the farm in the middle of the city.

Art car spotting!

Corcoran home.

This home is a certified Backyard Wildlife Habitat which means it meets a set of wildlife-friendly criteria set forth by the National Wildlife Federation. They are also advertising that they are members of Wild Ones- people dedicated to restoring and maintaining native landscapes. This home also features a monarch waystation, a peace pole and a Corcoran Grows painting.

Corcoran Home.

Corcoran Home.

Corcoran Home featuring Corcoran Grows door and handmade sign.

Corcoran Home.

Bicycles in Corcoran - one used and one repurposed.

Midtown YWCA, 2121 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Opened in 2000, the Midtown YWCA is the largest of all the Minneapolis YWCA locations. It features an indoor water park and the attached Minneapolis Sports Center has the largest indoor walking track in the Twin Cities.  The Midtown YMCA is accessible by bus and light rail and recently acquired a Nice Ride station making it easy for visitors and people who do not own bikes to enjoy the Midtown Greenway on two wheels (thought it is also fun to walk!).

Downtown Minneapolis skyline from the Midtown LRT station platform.

Lake Street/Midtown LRT Station, 2310 Lake Street East, Minneapolis, MN.

The Lake Street/Midtown LRT station allows passengers to transfer to three bus lines, one of which is a high frequency line carrying passengers between Minneapolis (Uptown) and St. Paul along Lake and Marshall Street.

Midtown Farmers Market, 2225 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

The feather in Corcoran’s hat is surely the Midtown Farmers Market which was founded in 2003 and a grass roots effort by the volunteers from seven surrounding neighborhoods. “It was the first Minnesota farmers market to accept SNAP-EBT. Each year over 60,000 people visit the market.” (source: Midtown Farmers Market website). The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization and supporters of the Midtown Farmers Market are currently active in discussions for land use of 2225 East Lake Street as the Minneapolis Public Schools is selling the property to a developer. The developer has incorporated the market into the current plans which will be unveiled in a public meeting on November 3, 2011.Please follow this and other important market announcements on Midtown Farmers Market’s Facebook andTwitter pages.

Scenes from Midtown Farmers Market.

Bruchetta provided by Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.

People from the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy’s Farm2School program were on hand at the Midtown Farmers Market to build awareness of their mission and to serve delicious foods. The mission of Farm2School is to: link children to nearby small and mid-size farms and ranches that produce fresh, healthy and minimally processed foods that are served at their schools.

Seven Sundays, all natural muesli.

When I saw a tray of yogurt parfaits to sample, I made a bee-line for Seven Sundays. I fell in love with their Ginger-Pear-Macadamia muesli. Hannah and Brady started Seven Sundays artisan muesli after a trip to New Zealand. People can buy their muesli at Midtown Farmers Market, from co-ops around the Twin Cities and through their online store. Find Seven Sundays on Facebook and Twitter.

Kabomlette, Midtown Farmers Market, Minneapolis, MN.

Kabomelette was suggested to me by Hannah of Seven Sundays. It was fun to watch Greg and family work together to serve up delicious kabobs, omelettes and potatoes. They also started serving at the West Broadway Market. Stay in touch with them on Facebook.

Hola! Hoops.

Tootie's Boiled Peanuts.

Scott and I had the great pleasure of meeting Tootie Martin when I returned to the market to get better photos for this blog post. He is a the most enthusiastic market vendor I’ve met. He generously offers samples to introduce the upper-midwest to a southern treat- boiled peanuts. Boiled peanuts are made from green peanuts (un-roasted peanuts grown in small batches) and boiled in heavily salted water for 2-4 hours. I tried and liked the cajun-flavored boiled peanuts.Like Tootie’s Boiled Peanuts on Facebook so you can meet him at an upcoming event!

Drinking fountain by Gita Ghei, Sara Hanson, Jan Louise Kusske.

To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Minneapolis, 10 commissioned public art drinking fountains were installed throughout the city. The fountain in front of the Midtown YWCA on Lake Street includes three forms of water: gas-cloud, liquid rain, and solid-ice and reference Minnesota’s geology, different rock types, glaciations and water’s capacity to erode and flood.

Transportation on Lake Street (2007) by Elise Kyllo and 45 volunteers, 2005 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Marisol and her daughter, residents of Corcoran neighborhood.

While walking along Lake Street, we ran into Marisol and her daughter. Any was excited to introduce me because Marisol is the leader of an organization of Latina women and is extremely active and dedicated to the community.

La Alborada Market, 1855 E Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Boasting vibrant art inside and out, La Alborada Market strives to be a piece of Mexico in the heart of Minneapolis. In 2009, Heavy Table’s Lori Writer interviewed owner Orlando Cruz and gave it a superb rating.

Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly, 1845 East Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

The mission of Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly (LBFE) is to reduce emotional and social isolation and promote well-being and independence among older adults.Connect with Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly Minneapolis/St. Paul on Facebook.

Mola Migrating Birds (2008) by Elise Kyllo and 35 volunteers, 1841 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Travel Agency on Lake Street.

Musica y algo mas (2007) by Elise Kyllo and 27 volunteers, 1837 E. Lake Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Natusha's Beauty Salon, 3011 Cedar Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

All Saints Episcopal Indian Mission Church, 3044 Longfellow Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

First Nations’ Kitchen (FNK) is a ministry of All Saints’ Episcopal Indian Mission in Minneapolis and has been serving healthy, organic, traditional indigenous food in a welcoming, family environment every Sunday evening since November 2, 2008.

Source: First Nations website.

South High School, 3131 19th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

South High School has a tradition of excellence in academic, artistic and athletic achievement. We take pride in the many accomplishments of our students. South has three academic programs: All Nations, Liberal Arts and Open. All programs provide core programming and preparation for college and opportunities beyond high school.

Source: South High School website.

Corcoran Park and Recreation Center, 3334 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Corcoran Park used to to be a school until 1975 when community members pushed for a park. While walking through the park, we met Jaylen (JJ), a 4 year-old Corcoran resident.

Hafiz Petroglyph (2008) by Elise Kyllo and 12 volunteers, 3401 Longfellow Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Homes of Corcoran.

Home and garden of Eric Brenneman, Lisa Barajas & son Aldegundo.

As Amy and I were walking, I spotted another Corcoran Grows door and went to take a photo. We lucked out because home owner, Eric and his son, Aldegundo were outside playing. Eric’s wife, Lisa joined us to give a tour of their beautiful gardens. I ran into Eric, Lisa and Aldegundo again during Paint The Pavement and where Eric strolled around playing guitar. You can hear Eric’s music on his Silva Music Facebook page.

Hafiz Sun (2005) by Elise Kyllo and 50 volunteers, 3333 Cedar Ave South, Minneapolis, MN.

Hayford Auto & Transmission, 3403 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.

Susan Hensel Gallery, 3441 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.

When we toured Corcoran, The Susan Hensel Gallery was not open. I’ll definitely go back because her mission is important. From the gallery website:

The Susan Hensel Gallery is devoted to the narrative impulse in art with a mission to:

Melanie Casiday and Eric Lindberg outside of the Corcoran Neighborhood Organization office.

The Corcoran Neighborhood Organization’s (CNO) office is at 3541 Cedar Avenue South. It’s hard to miss because of the stainless steel signage, brightly painted building and framed murals on its south facing exterior wall. With a small staff and a dedicated group of volunteers, CNO accomplishes large, long-term projects and is active in issues that impact their immediate borders as well as the larger South Minneapolis community.

Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue

Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue, a dance troupe directed by Susan De Leon, meets at her and her husband, Bruce Nestor’s immigration law practice.From the group’s Facebook page: “The main focus of our kalpulli (learning community) is to conserve and share the cultural teachings of our ancestors, with dance being one of the essential pieces. KetzalCoatlicue pursues this spiritual, mental, and physical vocation with music from the sacred drum, conch shells, seeds, and other instruments gifted by the natural environment.”We lucked out when we passed the office and the dancers were meeting to practice before a performance the next day. Like the group on Facebook so you can learn of their upcoming events!

Universal Duality (2008) by Santos Molina Garduno and Damiana Hernandez Anzastiga, 3547 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.

DeLeon & Nestor Law Practice, 3547 Cedar Ave S, Minneapolis, MN.

Marissa and Lindsay, Corcoran residents.

The brightest house in the neighborhood.

Lebanon Lutheran Church, 2014 E 36th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

This summer, Lebanon Lutheran Church celebrated its 100 year anniversary!

Paint The Pavement event, August 14, 2011.

Paint The Pavement event, August 14, 2011.

One of the highlights of my summer was taking part in the Paint the Pavement event. Led by artist Elise Kyllo, volunteers from all over helped create a beautiful mural at the intersection of 34th Street and 19th Avenue South. Thanks to KSTP Channel 5 Eyewitness News, you can see the bird’s eye view of the finished work: video,”Mural Painted on Mpls Street to Help Slow Traffic“.

Volunteers helped make this large project possible.

Volunteers helped make this large project possible.

As you can see, there is a lot to love about Corcoran. My favorite quote of the day happened at the end of our tour when Amy said:“

People are what make this neighborhood great.

Corcoran Links

Invite me back!

Fill out the tour guide form if you want to take a walk with me and make multiple stops (resuming tours in Spring 2012) or fill out the neighborhood gem nomination form for me to consider featuring a specific person, place or thing (especially interested in winter-friendly gems)!

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I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?

The Cedar-Riverside neighborhood is named after the intersection of the two main avenues of the neighborhood, Cedar and Riverside. The neighborhood is triangular-shaped with three definitive boundaries: the Mississippi River on the east side, Interstate 94 on the south side, and Interstate 35W on the west side. Cedar-Riverside‘s history is nearly as old as Minneapolis’. In the late 1890s, the neighborhood was known as “Snoose Boulevard,” with a thriving community of Scandinavian immigrants, many of whom worked in the milling and lumber industries on the Mississippi River. In the 1960s and 1970s, Snoose Boulevard turned from a quaint neighborhood to a beehive of hippies, intellectuals, actors, artists and musicians. Presently, the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood boasts the largest community of immigrants in the Twin Cities, continuing a long history of ethnic and cultural diversity.

Source: City of Minneapolis Neighborhood Profile Page

Tour Guides

Andy Lee, Cedar-Riverside resident.

Andy Lee has lived in Cedar Riverside since Fall 2001 when he started his academic career at the University of Minnesota in a residence hall. After earning his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, he decided to continue his education and remained in the neighborhood. He is in-between his first and second years at the Humphrey School’s Masters of Urban and Regional Planning program. He is currently an intern working for Metro Transit on Arterial Bus Rapid Transit, which he says is a fancy way of saying that he’s helping make the most heavily used urban bus routes faster. So, if you see someone taking photos at a bus stop, it may be Andy doing research. When Andy is not studying or working, he spends a lot of time biking or walking around exploring the city. He says that even though he’s lived in Minneapolis his entire life (grew up in Prospect Park), he still finds new things.

Caren, Cedar-Riverside resident.

Caren has been a Cedar-Riverside/West Bank resident since 2007. She chose to live and work in this community because it so vibrant. Caren is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota on the West Bank. For fun, Caren bikes, takes photos and likes to explore.

Tour Routes

Andy's tour is in red; Caren's in blue.

Click on the map to open in Google maps. Caren’s tour (blue) is an approximation because I forgot to turn on the GPS tracker during our walk. Thankfully I remembered to track the 5.39 mile walk with Andy!

Tour Highlights

As with all of the neighborhoods I’ve visited, these tours are not exhaustive (though this one is LONG) and not intended to capture everything each neighborhood has to offer. I hope to return to the neighborhood for additional tours or to highlight specific neighborhood gems. Perhaps you’ll personally invite me back and introduce me to something I missed!?

Riverside Plaza Area

Cedar-Riverside LRT Station

It is fitting that Andy, a current employee of MetroTransit, would suggest we meet at the Cedar-Riverside LRT station! In addition to buses that run along Cedar Avenue, the Light rail connects Cedar-Riverside with downtown and along the Hiawatha route leading to the Minneapolis St. Paul Airport. Another reason why people visiting the Twin Cities have easy access to visiting Cedar-Riverside!The Cedar-Riverside LRT Station even made Larry Millet’s AIA Guide to the Twin Cities! On page 150, he points out that a “glass canopy etched with star constellations and pavers that use Somali textile patterns are among the features of this station.”

Sculptures by Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii direct people to the LRT station.

If Andy hadn’t pointed out these sculptures, I certainly would have asked as they are quite distinctive. He informed me that they are meant to serve as beacons to the neighborhood – leading the way to the LRT station since it was not possible to have the station more centrally located within the neighborhood. I have contacted the artists, Jim Hirschfield and Sonya Ishii to learn more about their sculptures because the only article I could find, ‘Beacons’ to point way to light rail, was written prior to the installation. The artists sent me this Description of Kuulo (PDF).

Homestead with LRT in its backyard.

Andy must know that I have a dream of one day living in a converted building that was not initially designed as residential property. He discovered this off the path property and through property tax research discovered that it is, in fact, a private residence. Do you know anything about this property? Share in the comments!

Darul Quba Mosque and Quba Restaurant & Coffee, 1501 South 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Darul Quba mosque’s original location is being razed as part of a Cedar-Riverside redevelopment plan and they’ve relocated into the former Bedlam Theatre space. Articles from 2010 have been written but I was unable to learn much more. I hope a future tour guide will include learning more about the community members who worship and socialize here.

Riverside Plaza, 1525 South 4th Street, bounded by Cedar Ave., S. 4th St., 15th Ave. S., and S. 6th St.

Pop culture enthusiasts may know that Cedar-Riverside was home to Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore” TV show (she moved there from a home on Lake of the Isles later in the series).Riverside Plaza is currently being renovated and according to the media packet the $132 million renovation “will revamp 1303 housing units, provide 300 construction jobs (90 of them to area residents) and invest $7 million in public realm improvements.”Of course, this historically significant apartment complex is not without controversy. Many people believe it is an eyesore and have given it a host of derogatory nicknames. What are your thoughts about Riverside Plaza? Add them to the comments.

African International Mall, 620 South 16th Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Open since January 2005, the understated building houses some of the most colorful threads you’ll see in the Twin Cities. The large building is broken into smaller shops many of which sell clothing, perfume, rugs, and other decor and others provide services like henna tattoos. Caren spoke of the importance of the mall for economic support for individual entrepreneurs who otherwise could not afford retail space. This 2007Minneapolis Bridgeland News article also points out that most of the businesses are run by women, which I observed while visiting.

Parks & Public Spaces

Currie Park, 500 15th Avenue South Minneapolis, MN

Both Caren and Andy introduced me to Currie Park. Named after Edward A. Currie, Director of Pillsbury Settlement House at 4th Street and 16th Avenue, in 1977, is an important space because it is the only park near this stretch of Cedar Avenue. The park serves the diverse community of mostly East Africans who live in nearby apartment complexes, Riverside Plaza and The Cedars.

Andy’s favorite spot in the neighborhood is Riverside Park because “it’s a wonderful but little known park off of west river road”.

Riverside Park, 2700 8th Street South, Minneapolis, MN.

Riverside Park's restrooms.

Homes on Riverside Park, 8th Street South, Minneapolis, MN.

Today it is hard to imagine that the stretch of land along the river between the University of Minnesota and St. Anthony Falls used to be filled with 100 or more homes and a church for immigrants (Scandinavians, Germans, Slovaks, and Bohemians) looking for work as Minneapolis was incorporating (1867) until 1915 when the City of Minneapolis made effort to relocate them. Read more about the history of Bohemian Flats thanks to the work of a group of citizens who organized Bohemian Flats Day in 2008.

Technically in the Seward neighborhood, the oldest tree in Minneapolis is located in Riverside Park. It recently succumbed to disease in 2010 after an estimated 333 years of life. So beloved is this tree, there is a website dedicated to it called The Ancient Oak Tree.

The Ancient Oak Tree, located in Riverside Park, Minneapolis, MN.

Another one for the record books is Murphy Square, Minneapolis’s oldest park is named after Edward Murphy who donated the land to be used as a park in 1857.

Murphy Square, 801 22nd Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Bridge crossing Interstate 94.

Near the park, pedestrians and cyclists can cross over Interstate 94 which connects Seward and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods.

Dania Hall site, 427 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Built in 1866, Dania Hall was a center of activity for Danish Americans who recently immigrated to the United States. Destroyed in a fire on February 28, 2000, many people mourn the loss of such an historic site. The African Development Center remembers Dania Hall. Today, the space is used as an Outdoor Market every saturday from noon until 4:00 PM. The sidewalk is pictured because there is an interesting story behind its creation.

10th Avenue Bridge and Bridge #9, Minneapolis, MN.

Added to the National Registar of Historic Places, the 10th Avenue Bridge was built between 1826 and 1829/ Engineer Kristoffer Olsen Oustad used an open spandrel arch design and today the bridge accommodates four lanes of automobile traffic.”Northern Pacific Bridge #9 is a deck truss bridge that spans the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, Minnesota, between the Seven Corners area and the University of Minnesota campus. It was built in 1924 and was designed by Frederick W. Cappelen.” (source: Wikipedia) Today it is used for pedestrians and bicyclists to go between the Seven Corners area and the University of Minnesota East Bank campus.

A blog by Lisa Peters, Bridge Number 9, is an excellent blog to follow because she ties today’s happenings in Southeast Minneapolis to the history of our city. An example is the post “When will the leaning tower of pier fall?” which also gives you an idea of what it was like to build the 10th Avenue bridge.

Bluff Street Park, 1920 South 1st Street, Minneapolis, MN.

Seven Corners Restaurants & Entertainment

Republic, 221 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Caren’s favorite place for food and drink in her neighborhood is Republic. I had an opportunity to talk with Matty O’Reilly, one of the owners of Republic and to say he cares about good food would be a an understatement. It is his passion and a talent that has proven itself in Wayzata’s 318 Cafe and St. Anthony Main’s Aster Cafe. Matty and I spent a lot of time talking about the nature of the Seven Corners area of Cedar-Riverside and the fact that the mix of high density residential and business creates a lot of foot traffic, a definite benefit for restaurants and pubs. He tells me his neighbors have been welcoming and that he believes Republic has brought new business to the area. The mix of drastically different music venues within Cedar-Riverside, in his opinion, helps everyone – the business owners and the clientele. His approach to offer affordable, locally sourced good food is his primary goal. Matty and the staff he and business partner, Rick Guntzel, have hired are extremely welcoming and genuine in their approach. Matty talked about instilling open-mindedness in the staff – something I benefitted from when I arrived 1.5 hours early for my talk with Matty. The staff welcomed me in for lunch and helped me with wifi so I could continue working remotely while I waited. I would be remiss if I didn’t discuss Republic’s love of beer and beer programming. They have hosted Master Brew Dinners and are currently hosting Beer School on Wednesday nights.

Town Hall Brewery, 1430 Washington Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

The Minneapolis Town Hall Brewery was founded in 1997 by Pete and Scot, friends since childhood. Town Hall brews five every day beers, about 5 seasonals and they serve beers by guest brewers. Craft beer fans enjoy their release events in which they introduce their new brew. In addition to their beer selection, they offer a full-menu for lunch and dinner. I suggest getting a sampler of beers and a hot pretzel after walking around the neighborhood.

Theatre in the Round and Southern Theater are both located in the Seven Corners area.

One of the oldest theatres in Minnesota, Theatre in the Round has a Ralph Rapson connection as his architecture firm helped design its unique  arena stage which has received national recognition and praise.The Southern Theater cultivates artistic exploration by providing a vibrant home for performance, fostering a multiplicity of voices, and catalyzing connections among artists and audience. Source: Souther Theater’s website.

Cedar Avenue Businesses & Organizations

The Hub Bike Co-op & May Day Books, 301 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Caren was excited to show me The Hub Bike Co-Op because the employee-owned business is one she has supported with two bicycle purchases. We had the opportunity to talk to a staff member who said she is proud that they offer all kinds of bikes for all kinds of people, of their community outreach, free classes and inclusive hiring practices.Mayday Books was founded in 1975 in St. Paul, and ended up in its current location in 1991 after another spending a decade on Franklin and Chicago in Minneapolis. Mayday Books is a volunteer-run, non-profit collective bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its organizational mission is to provide leftist political books and magazines and a space for political organizing. Mayday Books carries a selection of new and used political books, magazines, zines, t-shirts, postcards, and select CDs and DVDs.

Midwest Mountaineering, 309 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

From their website: Midwest Mountaineering is a Mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, providing the best gear and clothing for adventure travel, backpacking, canoeing, cross country skiing, frisbee golf, hiking, ice climbing, kiting, mountaineering, nordic skating, nordic walking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, telemark skiing, ultralight backpacking, and whitewater kayaking.

The Red Sea, 320 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Every other night, you can find entertainment at The Red Sea Nightclub, Bar & Restaurant.

Keefer Court Bakery, 326 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

According to their website, Keefer Court is a family oriented business; we provide a variety of mouth watering delicious buns and pastries. We are widely known for our Barbeque Pork and Curry Beef Buns. They also offer dine-in and take-out for Chinese meals. Caren suggests Fried sesame balls, curry puff and egg tarts.

 

Acadia Cafe, 329 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Acadia Cafe offers lunch, dinner and happy hour specials. They also have a stage with regular performances.

Another entertainment venue in Cedar-Riverside is the 400 Bar.  A random fact I learned on their website is that their official 400 Bar T-Shirt is featured in Green Day’s American Idiot Broadway musical.

400 Bar, 400 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Samiya Store, 410 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Wienery, 414 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

The Wienery was started in the early 1980s by an an entreprenuerial couple who brought Chicago dogs to the Twin Cities, Al and Jean Wohl. Jerry Petermeir bought the restaurant in 1987, engendering a loyal following of wiener lovers. Jerry sold the Wienery to Airaq in 1999. Pat added breakfast to the Wienery menu when he started working for Airaq, who then sold him the restaurant [in 2000].

Source: Wienery website.

Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

The Cedar Cultural Center (also known as the Cedar) is a highly eclectic music venue known for hosting a wide variety of folk, blues, jazz, indie rock and world artists, as well as films, spoken word performances, dances, and community events. The Cedar is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization operated by a small professional staff, with assistance from a large pool of volunteers.

Source: The Cedar Cultural Center website.

Absame Abdullahi and Said Ahmed in front of the Cedar-Riverside mural.

I am not sure why I don’t have a photo of this entire mural but you can see it in its entirety thanks to Baron Dave.

Al-Karama Mall and West Bank Grocery, 413 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Nomad World Pub, 501 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Palmer's Bar, 500 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

The current owners of Palmer’s Bar, Lisa Hammer and her husband, Keith Berg, recently celebrated their tenth anniversary owning the nearly century-old building as recounted by the Star Tribune blog post by Chris Riemenschneider. The bottom right photo above shows a piece of Minneapolis history that I may not have noticed had I not been walking around with an urban planning minded guide. It is what remains of a former foot bridge that crossed over Cedar Avenue.

Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center, 504 Cedar Ave South, Minneapolis, MN.

Just one example of how the diversity found in Cedar-Riverside requires negotiating can be found at the 500 block of Cedar Avenue South. As mentioned in the aforementioned Star Tribune article, the Dar Al-Hijrah Islamic Civic Center shares a wall with the music venue. The bar learned a lesson in respecting religious practices when it discovered that one if its loudest acts was performing during Ramadan and impacted the Muslim’s ability to pray. The two groups now work together to avoid such conflicts.Also demonstrating the shifting demographics is a look into the history of what was in the space before the Islamic Civic Center - Electric Fetus (links to a PDF of the history). Shown above, the Minnesota Micro Systems “ghost mural” is left over from the 1970′s.

The Minneapolis mural at the top is the work of youth involved in Action Crew and other Brian Coyle Center programs. Each summer, they work with an artist to design and paint at least one large community mural to contribute to the beautification of the neighborhood and help reduce graffiti.

Freewheel Bike, 1812 S 6th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

In 1974 Freewheel Bike was founded by a small group of progressive bike nuts who were looking to challenge the norms of the 1970’s bike industry.  With a loan of $600 dollars and an eagerness to change the world, this small group of cyclists started a movement.  Paying a livable wage and creating a valuable resource for the dedicated cyclists of Minneapolis were at the heart of their mission.

Source: Freewheel Bike website

Wadajir Grocery and Mediterranean Deli, 525 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Riverside Avenue Businesses & Organizations

African Development Center of Minnesota and Afro Deli & Coffee, 1931 South 5th Street, Minneapolis, MN.

One of Caren’s favorite places in the neighborhood, Afro Deli & Coffee serves delicious African dishes. Thankfully, Caren suggested this as our meeting place so I was able to try, and fall in love with, their sambusas (pictured). Caren also highly recommends the Somali Sweet Spiced Tea. Caren especially appreciates the diverse clientele that comes into the restaurant, a sentiment echoed by its owner/manager, Abdirahman Kahin shares. He and I talked about his favorite aspects of owning a restaurant near the University of Minnesota and he mentioned the diversity of the students immediately. Kahin was recently featured in the Star Tribune article, “The art of the sambusa” by Allie Shah.Sharing space with the deli is an important resource for African immigrants to the state of Minnesota – The African Development Center of Minnesota (ADC). “Through workshops and consultations on financial literacy, business development, and home ownership, ADC provides culturally competent services to Minnesota’s African community.” (Source: ADC website)

Trinity Lutheran Offices, 2001 Riverside Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

According to its own website, “Trinity Lutheran Congregation is the only remaining Christian congregation located in Cedar-Riverside. Trinity is originally a Norwegian immigrant Lutheran church, with roots in the Lutheran Free Church. Our theology is solidly Lutheran. Our new immigrant members are largely from Mekane Yesus, the Lutheran Church in Ethiopia.” (Source: Trinity Lutheran Congregation website)

People's Center Health Services and Theater, 425 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

“Cedar Riverside People’s Center was founded in 1970 by grassroots organizers who sought to address the needs of the economically and socially disenfranchised. The result was one of Minnesota’s first free medical clinics. Back then, the clinic was staffed by volunteer medical personnel and had very limited hours of operation. Today, we are a Federally Qualified Health Center that is staffed by professional physicians, nurse practitioners, and social workers, with daily hours of operation and a variety of programs and services.” (Source: People’s Center Health Services website)”Formerly home to such companies as Joking Apart, Mary Worth, Pig’s Eye, Minnesota Shakespeare Project, and others, its [People's Center Theater] history dates back to the 1970s when it was home to the longest running Women’s Theater Company in the United States, At the Foot of the Mountain.” (Source: People’s Center Theater section of the website)

Hard Times Cafe, an employee owned restaurant, is open all day except a two hour window from 4 AM until 6 AM.

Hard Times Cafe, 1821 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

KFAI Radio, 1808 Riverside Avenue, Minneapolis, MN.

Broadcasting since 1978, “KFAI is a volunteer-based community radio station that exists to broadcast information, arts and entertainment programming for an audience of diverse racial, social and economic backgrounds. By providing a voice for people ignored or misrepresented by mainstream media, KFAI increases understanding between peoples and communities, while fostering the values of democracy and social justice.” (Source: KFAI website)A side note is that my guide for the soon-to-be-published Willard-Hay neighborhood tour, Bill Cottman, hostsMostly Jazz with his daughter, Kenna.

Both of my guides pointed out that KFAI is located in the “historic Bailey Building” – something that KFAI also points out on its website. Though I’ve only looked through the AIA Guide to the Twin Cities and the usual internet search, I have not found any significant information. I’m hoping that my Minnehaha Tour guide, Ian Stade, librarian of Special Collections at the Minneapolis Central Library will be able to assist me in finding information. If you have information about the Bailey Building, please add it to the comments section.

Institutions of Higher Education and Healthcare

University of Minnesota West Bank

An important anchor to the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood, the University of Minnesota’s West Bank campus includes: The Social Sciences, the Carlson School of Management, the Law School, Hubert H. Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and the West Bank Arts Quarter (art, theatre arts, dance and music). Wilson Library, the largest in the university system and Middlebrook Hall, the largest residence hall, are also on the West Bank.

University of Minnesota Carlson School of Management and Herbert M Hanson, Jr Hall.

University of Minnesota Wilson Library, Social Sciences building and NiceRide station.

University of Minnesota Ted Mann Concert Hall and Rarig Center.

University of Minnesota West Bank Arts Quarter: Regis Center for Art.

University of Minnesota Barbara Barker Center for Dance.

University of Minnesota Amplatz Children's Hospital.

A partnership between Fairview Hospitals and the University of Minnesota, Amplatz Children’s Hospital opened in April, 2011. Learn more about the building and the services provided by accessing the fact sheet (PDF).

Augsburg College

Augsburg College, 2211 Riverside Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens,thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community that is committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Source: Augsburg College website.

College of St. Catherine

St. Catherine University School of Health, 601 25th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN.

The mission of the St. Catherine’s University School of Health:

The Henrietta Schmoll School of Health educates diverse learners and engages clinical and community partners to influence health, health systems and health policy. The School is distinguished by an emphasis on relationship-centered care, socially responsible leadership and interdisciplinary initiatives.

Source: College of St. Catherine website.

Cedar-Riverside Links

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I’d love to hear from you, please leave a comment. What was your favorite part of this tour? What places do you plan on visiting? Do you live and/or work in the neighborhood? If so, do you have additional information on any of our tour highlights?