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

Stevens House

Our Most Moved House

Photographed By McGhiever, September 8, 2023

1. Stevens House Marker

Inscription.

Stevens House. Our Most Moved House. , Do you know how many times the Stevens House has been moved? , For 134 years, this small wood structure has been moved four times. The third move, which brought the house to Minnehaha Park, is heralded as the first act of historic preservation in Minneapolis., Built on the banks of the Mississippi in 1849, just south of St. Anthony falls, the house was the "birthplace of the city" and the site of many firsts in its establishment. As industry took hold of more and more land near the falls, the house was moved short distances in 1872 and in 1881. Neglected and forgotten, the sturdy little house was rediscovered in its third location by a reporter of the Minneapolis Journal. The Journal identified the house's historical importance, saw its potential for publicity and purchased the house., The Journal noted that every school child in Minneapolis knew the history of the "Old Stevens House," so the paper decided to donate it to the school children of Minneapolis. The Journal then arranged for it to be moved to Minnehaha Park, where it would to be safe from future city growth. The catch was, the children would receive this gift directly, by pulling it to Minnehaha Park themselves!, On May 28, 1896, a public holiday was proclaimed. Children were given badges to take part in one of six relays of the move. Two 500 foot long ropes (with a team of horses as back up) were hitched to the house. Upon arriving in the park, the house was presented to the Park Board on behalf of the children.,

"It was better than a circus day, better than the Fourth, almost better than Christmas. School was out, street car rides were free, and out at Minnehaha Park, popcorn, peanuts and lemonade awaited all..."

from an article reminiscing about the event. , The Journal Magazine, May 1, 1932., Moved Twice... , Jenny Hiscock was 15 in 1896 when she helped pull the Stevens house to Minnehaha Park. In 1982, at the kick off of the house's restoration, she along with Hattie Peterson and Laura Mindrom, who all participated in the original move, were there as honored guests cutting a ribbon rather than pulling a rope. ,

"I don't think we did much, all we did was hold the rope." ------- Jenny Hiscock

, (Minneapolis Star Tribune, 9-24-82)

Do you know how many times the Stevens House has been moved?
For 134 years, this small wood structure has been moved four times. The third move, which brought the house to Minnehaha Park, is heralded as the first act of historic preservation in Minneapolis.

Built on the banks of the Mississippi in 1849, just south of St. Anthony falls, the house was the "birthplace of the city" and the site of many firsts in its establishment. As industry took hold of more and more land near the falls, the house was moved short distances in 1872 and in 1881. Neglected and forgotten, the sturdy little house was rediscovered in its third location by a reporter of the Minneapolis Journal. The Journal identified the house's historical importance, saw its potential for publicity and purchased the house.

The Journal noted that every school child in Minneapolis knew the history of the "Old Stevens House," so the paper decided to donate it to the school children of Minneapolis. The Journal then arranged for it to be moved to Minnehaha Park, where it would to be safe from future city growth. The catch was, the children would receive this gift directly, by pulling it to Minnehaha Park themselves!

On May 28, 1896, a public holiday was proclaimed. Children were given badges to take part

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in one of six relays of the move. Two 500 foot long ropes (with a team of horses as back up) were hitched to the house. Upon arriving in the park, the house was presented to the Park Board on behalf of the children.

"It was better than a circus day, better than the Fourth, almost better than Christmas. School was out, street car rides were free, and out at Minnehaha Park, popcorn, peanuts and lemonade awaited all..."

from an article reminiscing about the event.
The Journal Magazine, May 1, 1932.

Moved Twice...
Jenny Hiscock was 15 in 1896 when she helped pull the Stevens house to Minnehaha Park. In 1982, at the kick off of the house's restoration, she along with Hattie Peterson and Laura Mindrom, who all participated in the original move, were there as honored guests cutting a ribbon rather than pulling a rope.

"I don't think we did much, all we did was hold the rope." ------- Jenny Hiscock

(Minneapolis Star Tribune, 9-24-82)

Erected 2008 by Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 28, 1896.

Location. 44° 59.051′

Stevens House Marker beside the river paths northwest of the Third Avenue Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, September 8, 2023

2. Stevens House Marker beside the river paths northwest of the Third Avenue Bridge

N, 93° 15.84′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Downtown West. Marker is on W. River Parkway. The marker is beside the bike path along W. River Parkway just south of the Hennepin Avenue Bridge. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 W River Parkway, Minneapolis MN 55401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The House of John H. Stevens (a few steps from this marker); Bridging the Stream (within shouting distance of this marker); Bridge Square to the Gateway (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indians at the Falls (about 400 feet away); William de la Barre (about 600 feet away); Father Louis Hennepin Bridge (about 700 feet away); Nicollet Island Businesses (approx. 0.2 miles away); Joseph N. Nicollet (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Marker with identical text near the current location of the Stevens House in Minnehaha Park

The Stevens House in its current location in Minnehaha Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever

3. The Stevens House in its current location in Minnehaha Park

School children pulling Stevens house to Minnehaha Park image. Click for full size.

Minneapolis Journal (courtesy of the Hennepin County Library), May 28, 1896

4. School children pulling Stevens house to Minnehaha Park

This the same photo as on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on March 21, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 39 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 21, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. 4. submitted on March 22, 2024. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.