Park Avenue Residential District
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Distrito Residencial Avenida Park

The Museum in the Streets: Minneapolis, Minnesota

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Midtown: A Place to Call Home

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Photographed by McGhiever, November 2, 2022

1. Park Avenue Residential District / Distrito Residencial Avenida Park Marker

Originally developed to be a stylish boulevard lined with architect-designed homes situated on large lots with generous setbacks, Park Avenue once ranked as Minneapolis' most prestigious residential street.

Throughout the late 1800s and early 1900s, the city's business elite built 35 of Minneapolis' most opulent mansions along the "Golden Mile" north of 28th Street. Among these early residents were prominent grain men Frank Peavey, James Bell, Franklin Crosby, Edmund Phelps, Frank Heffelfinger, and Charles Harrington; lumber barons Sumner McKnight and Anson Brooks; and Swedish newspaper mogul Swan Turnblad. At the same time, upper-middle-class professionals settled into elegant wood-frame residences along the 10 blocks south between 28th Street and what was then the city limit at 38th Street.

To ensure the street's first-class status, these early homeowners formed the Park Avenue Improvement Association to manage plantings and maintenance, traffic regulation, and building setback rules. In 1892, the enterprising group went to far as to privately finance a two-mile project that made their street one of the first

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in Minneapolis to be paved with asphalt.

In response to increased automobile traffic, in the 1940s the City of Minneapolis converted Park Avenue's original 36-foot wide, two-way roadway into a one-way artery. In 1955, the City widened the roadway to 56 feet, eliminating a full 20 feet of boulevard green space in order to further accommodate suburban commuters into downtown.

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, "urban renewal" took the form of demolition and left only eight Park Avenue mansions in its wake. By contrast, the homes south of 28th Street remained largely intact.

All 20 blocks showcase an impressive array of 19th and early-20th century architectural styles rendered by Minneapolis' most prolific architects: William Channing Whitney, Harry Wild Jones, Boehme & Cordella, Kees & Colburn, Long & Lamoreaux, LeRoy Buffington, Bertrand & Chamberlin, and others.

Originalmente creada como un bulevar elegante con casas de grandes lotes con amplios retranqueos, la Avenida Park era la calle residencial más prestigiosa de Minneapolis. A fines de 1800 y principios de 1900, la elite empresarial local construyó 35 de las mansiones

Photographed by McGhiever, November 2, 2022

2. Park Avenue Residential District / Distrito Residencial Avenida Park Marker

más ricas de Minneapolis sobre "Golden Mile" al norte de 28th Street. Entre estos primeros residentes estaban los destacados cerealeros Frank Peavey, James Bell, Franklin Crosby, Edmund Phelps, Frank Heffelfinger y Charles Harrington; los grandes madereros Sumner McKnight y Anson Brooks; y el magnate sueco del periódico Swan Turnblad. Al mismo tiempo, los profesionales de clase media alta vivían en elegantes residencias en las 10 cuadras al sur, entre 28th Street y el entonces límite de la ciudad, 38th Street.

Para mantener el estatus de calle de primera clase, estos primeros dueños formaron Park Avenue Improvement Association para gestionar plantaciones y mantenimiento, regulaciones de tráfico y reglas de retranqueo. En 1892, la asociación llegó a financiar por privado un proyecto de dos millas que convirtió dicha calle en una de las primeras pavimentadas con asfalto en Minneapolis.

Debido al creciente tráfico, en 1940, la Ciudad de Minneapolis convirtió Park Avenue de 36 peis de ancho y doble sentido en una arteria de un sentido. En 1955, la Ciudad amplió la calle a 56 pies, eliminando 20 pies de espacio verde para mejorar el

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tráfico de los suburbios a la ciudad.

En las décadas the 1950 y 1960, la "renovación urbana" fue sinónimo de demolición y solo dejaron ocho mansiones en Park Avenue. En cambio, las casas al sur de 28th Street quedaron intactas.

Las 20 cuadras presentaban un conjunto impactante de estilos aquitectónicos del siglo XIX y principios del XX, creados por los arquitectos más prolíficos de Minneapolis: William Channing Whitney, Harry Wild Jones, Boehme & Cordella, Kees & Colburn, Long & Lamoreaux, LeRoy Buffington, Bertrand & Chamberlin, y otros.

As originally designed, Park Avenue's narrow roadway was flanked on each side by an additional 10 feet of boulevard, as seen in this 1905 street scene.
Según se diseñó originalmente, la angosta Avenida Park fue agrandada en los dos lados con 10 pies adicionales de bulevar, como se observa en esta imagen de 1905.

The Chester Simmons Mansion at 2741 Park Avenue, about 1898. Designed by architects Orff & Joralemon in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, the mansion stood at the northeast corner of 28th Street and Park Avenue from 1891 until it was razed in 1959.
La mansión de Chester Simmons en Avenida Park 2741, alrededor de 1898. Diseñada por los arquitectos Orff & Joralemon en estilo romanesco ricardiano, la mansión estuvo en la esquina noreste de Calle 28 y Avenida Park desde 1891 hasta que fue demolida en 1959.

The John E. Bell Mansion at 2401 Park Avenue, about 1948. Designed by prominent Victorian architect Charles S. Sedgwick in 1885, this was perhaps the Twin Cities' ultimate Queen Anne. It stood at the corner of 24th Street and Park Avenue until it was razed in 1961.
La mansión de John E. Bell en Avenida Park 2401, alrededor de 1948. Diseñada por el famoso arquitecto victoriano Charles S. Sedgwick en 1885, esta fue probablemente la última de estilo Reina Ana de las Twin Cities. Estuvo en la esquina de Calle 24 y Avenida Park hasta que fue demolida en 1961.

This towered Victorian at 3124 Park Avenue was built in 1898 by C.C. Johnson for businessman Anton M. Dyste, who is seen here in 1900 enjoying the front porch with his family.
Esta imponente casa victoriana en Avenida Park 3124 fue construída en 1898 por C.C. Johnson para el empresario Anton M. Dyste, a quien se observa aquí en 1900, en el pórtico con su familia.

Designed and built by prolific Master Builder Theron Potter "TP" Healy in 1890, the George F. Hitchcock House at 2932 Park Avenue typifies the romantic Queen Anne architectural style of the time.
Diseñada y construida por el prolífico maestro de obra Theron Potter "TP" Healy en 1890, la casa de George F. Hitchcock en Avenida Park 2932 represente el estilo arquitectónico romántico Reina Ana de la época.

When bicycle mania swept over Minneapolis in the 1890s, Park Avenue followed by hosting annual bike races. Residents lined the curbs to cheer on the "scorchers" (so named for their high speeds, despite the avenue's otherwise heavily enforced 10 mph speed limit) as they made their way to the finish line at the Flour City Cyclists Clubhouse at 1611 Park Avenue, shown here in 1890.
Cuanda la manía por la bicicleta llegó a Minneapolis en la década de 1890, la Avenida Park se convirtió en la sede de carreras anuales de bicicleta. Los residentes se ubicaban en las curvas para alentar a los "scorchers" (así llamados por su gran velocidad, a pesar del límite de 10 mph que regía en la avenida en otras circunstancias) mientras iban a la meta en el Flour City Cyclists Clubhouse, en Avenida Park 1611, que se observa aquí en 1890.

Parades were a favorite Park Avenue pastime, and brass bands frequently led military, circus, and other festive processions down the avenue. In 1906, Commander Tanner and Archbishop John Ireland led the Grand Army of the Republic.
Los desfiles eran uno de los entretenimientos favoritos en Avenida Park, y las bandas me músicos con frequencia acompañaban procesiones militares, circenses y demás por la avenida. En 1906, el comandante Tanner y el arzobispo John Ireland lideraron el Grand Army of the Republic.

In the early 1900s, a Parade of Autos was held each year on June 21, giving proud residents a chance to show off their new "horseless carriages," such as the one seen here, driven by Swan Turnblad's chauffeur, Carl Lundy, in 1907.
A principios de 1900, se realizaba un desfile de autos todos los años el 21 de junio, lo que daba a los orgullosos residentes la oportunidad de mostrar sus nuevos "coches sin caballos", como el que aparece aquí, conducido por el chofer de Swan Turnblad, Carl Lundy, en 1907.
 
Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 18.)
 
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the The Museum in the Streets: Minneapolis, Minnesota series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.
 
Location. 44° 56.912′ N, 93° 15.903′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Phillips. It is at the intersection of Park Avenue and E. Lake Street, on the right when traveling north on Park Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 700 E Lake Street, Minneapolis MN 55407, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 3009 Park Avenue: Pauline and Thomane Fjelde (here, next to this marker); 2627-47 Chicago Avenue: Northwestern Hospital for Women and Children (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); 804 East Lake: Town Treat Café / Calle Lake Este 804: Cafetería Town Treat (about 700 feet away); Midtown: A Place to Call Home (approx. 0.2 miles away); Minneapolis in the Age of Grade Separation (approx. 0.2 miles away); 2947 10th Avenue South: St. Mary's Greek Orthodox Church (approx. ¼ mile away); 2845 10th Avenue South: Elevator X (approx. ¼ mile away); An Era of New Business on the Rail Corridor (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

 

 
Credits. This page was last revised on October 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 307 times since then and 69 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.