Longfellow in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Snelling Avenue: African American Community

The Museum in the Streets: Minneapolis, Minnesota

— 27th and Lake: Industry and Transportation Infrastructure —

Snelling Avenue: African American Community marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, May 26, 2019

1. Snelling Avenue: African American Community marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

African American families were among the first to settle in the neighborhood that grew south of East Lake Street. During much of the 20th century, restrictive housing covenants limited where African Americans could buy homes. Minority homeownership was possible along Snelling Avenue, making it one of the few areas in early 20th century Minneapolis where African Americans were able to establish a long-term community. Its location, along the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul (CM&StP) rail corridor, was a key appeal. At the time, African Americans were typically limited to certain types of employment, and the railroads offered some of the best-paying jobs around. The CM&StP provided a variety of jobs in the yards at Hiawatha and Lake Street, as well as positions as porters, cooks, waiters, and coachmen.

Familias Africana Americanas fueron las primeras en establecerse en el barrior que emergió al sur de East Lake Street. Durante gran parte del siglo 20, las cláusulas de vivienda restrictivas limitaban dónde éstos podían comprar casas. La propiedad de minorías era posible por Snelling Avenue, una de las pacas zonas

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en Minneapolis a principios de siglo donde Africano Americanos pudieron establecer una comunidad permanente. Su localidad en la vía ferroviaria Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul (CM&StP) era su principal atractivo. En aquella época se limitaba el tipo de empleo de los Africano Americanos, y los ferrocarriles ofrecían los puestos mejor pagados. El CM&StP ofrecía una variedad de puestos en la playa de maniobras en Hiawatha y Lake Street, además de puestos como porteros, cocineros, meseros y cocheros.

Erected 2012 by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets®: Minneapolis, Minnesota series list.

Location. 44° 56.892′ N, 93° 14.16′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Longfellow. Marker is at the intersection of Snelling Avenue and E. Lake Street, on the right when traveling south on Snelling Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3000 Snelling Avenue, Minneapolis MN 55406, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Minneapolis-Moline (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct

View of marker near the southwest corner of E. Lake St. and Snelling Ave. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, May 26, 2019

2. View of marker near the southwest corner of E. Lake St. and Snelling Ave.

line); 3010 Minnehaha Avenue South: Fire Station No. 21 (about 500 feet away); Longfellow School (about 600 feet away); 3012 Minnehaha Avenue South: Lauritzen Wagon and Blacksmith Shop (about 600 feet away); Hiawatha-Minnehaha Corridor (about 600 feet away); 2700 East Lake: Coliseum Building / Freeman's Department Store (about 700 feet away); 2629 East Lake: Minnehaha Grill (about 800 feet away); 2217 East Lake: Axel's Lunch Room (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 486 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.