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

Main Street Builds

— Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail —

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2014

1. Main Street Builds Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The village of St. Anthony was platted in 1849, and by 1855 a number of frame buildings stood along Main Street. In that year brothers Moses and Rufus Upton constructed a fine business block from locally made brick and opened a store on the ground floor. Next to it were the Martin and Morrison buildings, constructed of limestone in 1858. The upper floors housed several lawyers and for a while the offices of the Minnesota Republican newspaper. These are the oldest masonry buildings in Minneapolis.

Erected by St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1855.

Location. 44° 59.065′ N, 93° 15.34′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker is on Southeast Main Street, 0.1 miles west of Southeast 3rd Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is located along the riverfront walkway, overlooking the subject commercial buildings along Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Minneapolis MN 55414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8

2. Main Street Builds Marker

(Mississippi River in background)

Click or scan to see
this page online

other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Falls That Built the City (within shouting distance of this marker); The Whirlpool (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Power on the East Side (about 400 feet away); Franklin Steele (about 600 feet away); Symbols on the Skyline (about 700 feet away); Pillsbury A Mill (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Ard Godfrey House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Eliza Winston (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Also see . . . Martin and Morrison Block, Minneapolis. Soon after entrepreneur John Martin began construction of his uniform, four-bay building in spring 1858, fellow Vermont native Francis (Frank) Morrison announced he would build three more bays next door. The Morrison building explicitly emulated the Martin block’s design, a classical façade of native Platteville limestone. (Submitted on August 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Martin, Morrison and Upton Buildings (<i>view from near marker</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2014

3. Martin, Morrison and Upton Buildings (view from near marker)

The "twin" Martin and Morrison buildings, collectively known as the Martin and Morrison Block, are the limestone buildings on the left.
The Upton Block (Aster Café) is on the right.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 86 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 30, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on August 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.