Rochester in Olmsted County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Central Park Plaza
Dedicated July 30, 2004
April 17, 2022
1. Central Park Plaza Marker
In 2004, Rochester's 150th anniversary, Leadership Greater Rochester–a program of the Rochester Area Chamber of commerce–partnered with Rochester Park and Recreation Department to restore the majesty of Central Park. This project included replacing the fountain, creating a brick plaza, replacing the sidewalks and improving accessibility for everyone.
The Leadership Greater Rochester class of 2004 would like to recognize the following community members for their generous support of our vision of Enhancing the Future While Preserving the Past.
this page online
Erected 2004 by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Park and Recreation Department.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1856.
Location. 44° 1.541′ N, 92° 27.909′ W. Marker is in Rochester, Minnesota, in Olmsted County. Marker can be reached from the intersection of 1st Avenue Northwest and 2nd Street Northwest, on the right when traveling south. Located on the restroom building in the center of Central Park in Rochester. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 225 1st Ave NW, Rochester MN 55901, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The Heritage House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Rochester Armory Building (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Avalon Building (about 600 feet away); The Chateau Theatre
April 17, 2022
2. Central Park Plaza Marker
Additional commentary.
1. Central Park Marker
Please be aware that Mr. William Lowry's name is misspelled on the plaque and in your historical information. The Lowry family moved to Rochester, MN from Pennsylvania and William Lowry built the first brick residence in Rochester on the Dubuque Trail. It was sold to Lowry cousins---also from PA, and it became the Brackenridge House. Just before the turn of the Twentieth Century Miss Blanche Brackenridge married Dr. Christopher Graham. After approx. six years of married life, and two kids later the Graham family moved back into her family home to look after her mother. People remember the house today as the Graham House and it was demolished to build K-mart in 1970. Please do be aware that the Lowry name is misspelled, as there are still Lowry and Graham descendants in
April 17, 2022
3. Central Park Plaza
Editor's note: Thank you for the information on the Lowry name spelling. HMdb.org has a general policy of transcribing markers as they read and not making changes to the text, even if they are in error. We show the marker's text as it is currently shown. Hopefully local authorities can be contacted to make the change in a future marker. If that happens we would be happy to note the correction. Note To Editor only visible by Contributor and editor
— Submitted November 21, 2022, by Sean Kettelkamp of Rochester, Minnesota.
April 17, 2022
4. Nearby Central Park Marker
Rochester's First Park
Donated by:
William Dundas Lowry
1856
April 17, 2022
5. Central Park, from the southeast
Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on April 24, 2022. This page has been viewed 145 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 24, 2022.
