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    Architecture of Minneapolis Parks
    Architecture of Minneapolis Parks
    Architecture of Minneapolis Parks
    Ebook172 pages51 minutes

    Architecture of Minneapolis Parks

    By Albert D. Wittman

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    Buildings, bridges, and much more—these are the treasures in or near Minneapolis parks that are rarely given attention. This book diverts the reader from the traditional park elements of lakes, woods, streams, and playfields and focuses instead on the rich architectural components they offer. Buildings range from the 160-year-old Godfrey house, believed to be the oldest standing house in Minneapolis, to the recently completed shelters in the Wabun picnic area at Minnehaha Park. Many architects, from Stanford White to Harry Jones to Frank Gehry, have left their marks either on parkland or across the street. Some of their notables are presented in this book. One of the most popular icons of Minneapolis, the Lake Harriet Bandstand, with a long list of predecessors and once painted blue, rounds out this presentation.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcadia Publishing
    Release dateSep 18, 2012
    ISBN9781439621035
    Architecture of Minneapolis Parks
    Author

    Albert D. Wittman

    Albert D. Wittman was an assistant superintendent for the Minneapolis park system for over 27 years. Responsible for planning and development, he saw the completion of the design and construction of many of the buildings and structures in this book. He attended the University of Windsor, Ontario, and graduated with a bachelor�s degree in architectural engineering from the University of Detroit. He holds a master�s degree in city planning from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Wittman has also written a postwar history of the Minneapolis park system.

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      Book preview

      Architecture of Minneapolis Parks - Albert D. Wittman

      1969–present

      INTRODUCTION

      Possibly no other park system in the United State has such a rich treasure of architecture within its boundaries as the one in Minneapolis. There are both historically significant structures, such as the John H. Stevens House, and recent city image makers like the Boom Island Lighthouse and the Lake Harriet bandstand. There is also an array of recreation buildings, each with its own design.

      Minneapolis park scenery is enhanced by some of the city’s most significant structures, such as the castle-like Grain Belt Brewery or the postmodern new Guthrie Theater. These all sit next to parks or are in them. The city’s parkways nearly encircle the city, giving almost a constantly changing view of the downtown skyline. And some of the city’s finest mansions adjoin the parkways encircling the city’s lakes.

      Garden architecture and sculptures are in many park systems, and Minneapolis is no exception. However, Minneapolis also has its share of naval architecture in the form of the mighty tugs that ply the Mississippi.

      Many of these architectural treasures are presented here. Some are old. Some are new. Some are borrowed. Some are blue. Each has its own story, briefly presented along with photographs. Unless otherwise noted, images are from the author’s collection.

      One

      OLD TREASURES

      SOMETHING OLD. Some Minneapolis parks are 125 years old and still have their original buildings. Some park buildings played an important role in the early beginnings of the city, and those, as well as others, are on the National Register of Historic Places. Each park structure has a distinctive style and story. Some have been preserved and serve a different function, while others are used for their original purpose. All are on parkland.

      THE ARD GODFREY HOUSE. Built in 1848, the Godfrey house is possibly the oldest standing in Minneapolis. It is located in Chute Square, a Minneapolis park named after early pioneer Richard Chute. The Godfrey house was moved several times from its original location on Main Street before it landed at Chute Square in 1909. Early settlers were able to stay temporarily with the Godfreys in this house until they got settled or moved on. Later the house was used by the Minnesota Pioneers as a museum until 1943. In the late 1970s, the Minneapolis Women’s Club approached the Park Board with a proposal suggesting the women’s club take the responsibility of restoring the house. By 1979, the women’s club reopened the restored house to the public. Through the process, the club generated substantial interest and help from many individuals, groups, and the Minneapolis construction trades. In 1985, the Minneapolis Women’s Club added the kitchen wing with a grant from the Boisclair Corporation.

      BEARD’S PLAISANCE. This is the place for people who like to picnic in a grand manner. On a high knoll overlooking Lake Harriet sits this 100-year-old-plus picnic shelter. Designed by well-known Minneapolis architect Harry Jones, it sits on land donated by Henry Beard, a local developer at the time.

      BOOM ISLAND RAILROAD BRIDGE. Dating back to the rail yard days of Boom Island, this bridge connects Nicollet Island to Boom Island by crossing the east channel of the Mississippi. The bridge became park property when the Park Board acquired Boom Island in 1982. The bridge was updated when a park official’s leg went through the old decking.

      COLUMBIA PARK MANOR. This manor was built in 1925 in the Colonial Revival style, which seems to be fairly common in this era. It is a well-known fixture in northeast Minneapolis and has hosted countless wedding receptions, celebrations, and meetings, besides being a home for golfers.

      COMO-HARRIET STREETCAR LINE AND STATION. Since the late 1800s, trolleys brought people to Lake Harriet, and this service did not stop until 1954. In the early l970s, the Minnesota Transportation Museum laid a 1-mile section of the line in the vicinity of Forty-second Street at Queen Avenue South in conjunction with restoring old 1300, one of the trolleys from the heyday of streetcars. Today the line stretches along its original route from Lake Harriet to Lake Calhoun. The station, built in 1989 by transportation museum members, is a replica of the original. In terms of style, it is typical of the many small rail stations built in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

      LAKE CALHOUN REFECTORY. Constructed in 1911, the Lake Calhoun Refectory is the last remaining building around the lake. Over its life, it has served refreshments and rented out canoes. Damaged by a fire in the early 1970s, it went unused until

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