Minneapolis Downtown East / Mill Ruins

Guided Walking Tour
Minneapolis Downtown East / Mill Ruins
with Restaurant Highlights
Guided Walking Tour
Minneapolis Downtown East / Mill Ruins
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Tour Route
Tour Stop
Restaurant
Point of Interest
Guided Walking Tour
Minneapolis Downtown East / Mill Ruins
1
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Martini Blu
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Skyways
After the first all-enclosed mall opened in Edina, MN, the city of
Minneapolis wanted a way to attract shoppers to downtown. Their
solution was to develop a skyway plan that would allow visitors to
walk from building to building without the need to go outside. The
first all-weather pedestrian skyway designed by Edward Baker was
built in 1962. This second-level corridor spanned 7th Street South
between Marquette and 2nd Avenue. Today there are more than
seven miles of skyways in downtown Minneapolis.
2
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAUR ANTS :
M & S Grill, Mortons, Lyons Pub (16 S 6th St), Murrays (24 S 6th St), Ikes (50 S 6th St), (Glueks 16 N 6th
St), D’Amico Cucina (Butler Square), Bellanotte (Block E), Cosmos (Block E) and Hard Rock (Block E)
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Nicollet Mall
Nicollet mall was originally constructed in 1967 by landscape architect,
Lawrence Halprin. The original design used slate paving, circular brick
intersections, heated sidewalks, ornate custom light fixtures and a
serpentine bus lane. From the beginning Nicollet Mall has been
commercially successful, but a maintenance headache. The mall was
remodeled in 1992 with more durable materials and shallower curves
for the bus lane. Unfortunately, the sturdier granite pavers began to
chip and fail due to the mortar bed installation. A new grout solution
for the granite pavers that was recently introduced appears to be
surviving Minneapolis’ harsh climate. Stamped concrete thalso was
recently added to replace the granite paving between 13 and Grant
Streets.
LRT Station – Nicollet Mall
Designed by Elness Swenson Graham, architects, (ESG) Nicollet Mall
LRT station is one of 17 uniquely designed stations along the
Hiawatha Light Rail Line that extends from the Mall of America to
Hennepin Avenue. The station, according to ESG, “makes an artistic
statement with a playful, urban feel that conveys a sense of
energy.” With a construction cost of $715.3 million, the LRT opened
for full service December 4, 2004. It has a top speed of 55 mph and
is 12 miles long.
3
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Nami, Café Brenda, and 112 Eatery
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Minneapolis Public Library
The new Central Library building, designed by César Pelli and
Associates, opened to the public on May 20, 2006. At a cost of $250
per square foot, the library features a host of energy-efficient
measures, including a roof garden and substantial daylight. The
Green Roof is equipped with an irrigation system that utilizes a
7,500-gallon-capacity cistern system that collects stores and
distributes rainwater for use by the plants. The mosaic set in the
sidewalk in front of the library is titled, Tableau: A Native American
Mosaic. It was created for the City of Minneapolis in 1991 by artist
George Morrison. Originally installed in front of the IDS Tower but due to water problems the mosaic
relocated to the new library.
Marquette Plaza
This renovated open space features a large curved lawn that mimics
the architecture of the building, surrounded by birch trees and shade
plants. The fountain from the original design was retained but
relocated to attract pedestrians. This was also the former location of
the Federal Reserve. Built in 1973 it was the first building ever made
to use Catenary support.
4
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Origami, Babalu (800 Washington Ave N) and Café Havana
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank
The Minneapolis
Federal Reserve Bank serves
the 9th Federal Reserve District. The
Minneapolis Federal Reserve has had 3 homes:
the original building, built in 1915 located at 510
Marquette, the second, now known as
Marquette Plaza and the third located at the
north end of downtown Minneapolis along the Mississippi River from Hennepin Avenue to Second
Avenue North. The new Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank, built in 1997, was designed by Hellmuth,
Obata & Kassabaum (HOK).
The Minneapolis Federal Reserve Bank site, designed by HOK, spreads along the Mississippi banks in
three distinct spaces each designed to satisfy circulation, security, and historic district requirements.
It features plazas and pedestrian links to green space along the Mississippi River. The design also
includes lawns, extensive landscaping, walkways, public art and interpretive exhibits. An overlook
provides views to the river.
Gateway Park
Gateway Park was the first commercial district on the west side
of the river centered on Bridge Square at the junction of Hennepin
and Nicollet Avenues. Anchoring this district was the original City
Hall, built in 1873. Bridge Square transformed into Gateway Park
in 1915 during the City Beautiful movement by Hewitt and Brown.
The park had comfort stations, a classic fountain, a pavilion, formal
gardens, and a George Washington Memorial Flagstaff. Gateway
Park became Gateway Redevelopment in the 1950s during a
massive urban renewal program. In 1960, the park’s pavilion was demolished along with nearly 200
buildings spread over seventeen blocks. Today, the remnants of the original Gateway Park still
survive; the colorful Gateway Fountain and Flagstaff and is owned and maintained by Minneapolis
Park and Recreation Board.
5
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Nye’s Polonaise Room, The Times, Bobino Café, Pracna, Keegan’s Irish Pub, Kramarczuk’s, Restaurant
Alma, and Fugaise (Note: all restaurants are located across the river near the Historic St. Anthony
District.)
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Hennepin Avenue Bridge
In 1854, the first permanent bridge over the
Mississippi River, a cable suspension bridge, joined
St. Anthony and Minneapolis. The bridge operated as
a private toll bridge until purchased by Hennepin
County in 1869. This bridge was replaced in 1876 by a
suspension bridge with stone towers. In 1888, a third
bridge, a steel-arch bridge, was built to
accommodate the growing street railway system.
The current bridge, designed by the engineering firm of Howard, Needles, Tammen, and Bergendoff is
a 1,037-foot-long steel suspension bridge that celebrates the original bridge’s design. Built in 1990,
the bridge carries six lanes of vehicular traffic, along with pedestrians and bicycles.
Heritage Trail
St. Anthony Falls Heritage Trail is a 1.8-mile, interpretive loop that
crosses the river at the Stone Arch Bridge. A series of self-guided,
interpretive kiosks and historical markers describe the history of
the birthplace of Minneapolis, St. Anthony Falls Historic District.
6
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Nicollet Island Inn, Kikugawa, Sophia, Pracna on Main, Vic’s, and Tugg’s Tavern (Note: all restaurants are
located across the river in the Historic St. Anthony District with the exception of the Nicollet Island Inn.)
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
St. Anthony Falls
From its origins near Fort Snelling, St. Anthony Falls
relocated upstream at a rate of about 4 feet per year
until it reached its present location in the early 1800s.
In 1683, Father Hennepin named the falls of the
Mississippi "St. Anthony" after his patron saint,
Anthony of Padua. St Anthony Falls was the only
natural waterfall on the Mississippi River. Although
the falls attracted visitors with its beauty, the falls
became the source of power for an industry that
helped put Minneapolis on the map. The region
around the falls was added to the National Register of
Historic Places as Saint Anthony Falls Historic District in 1971.
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1856 Minneapolis Mill Company and St. Anthony Falls Water Power Company were established
1869 Eastman Tunnel of Nicollet Island in Minneapolis collapsed and threatened falls
1870-84 The falls were restored and protected by an apron, 2 dams and a dike
1882 The Minnesota Brush Electric Company opened the first hydroelectric central station in the
United States at St. Anthony Falls.
1889 Pillsbury Milling company bought both water power companies
1889 Pillsbury sold its water power rights to the Minneapolis General Electric Company
1894 the Minneapolis General Electric Company built its Main Street Station at St. Anthony Falls
1957 Northern States Power became the sole licensee of waterpower at the falls.
Nicollet Island
Nicollet Island is the only inhabited island on the Mississippi River
with three residential buildings and twenty-two restored Victorianera houses. Historically the island was the location for several
industries including foundries and sash and door manufacturers
with upper-middle-class homes for the industrial managers on the
north end of the island. Today, the island is most noted for
DeLaSalle High School, the Nicollet Island Inn and the Nicollet
Island Pavilion.
Historic St Anthony
Franklin Steele established
a claim at the Falls of St.
Anthony in 1938. In 1848, Steele subdivided his land and in 1849,
the community of St. Anthony on the east side of the
Mississippi River near St. Anthony Falls was surveyed and
platted as a townsite. The town of St. Anthony was
incorporated in 1855. Across the river, Minneapolis, founded by
Col. John H. Stevens, builder of the first house on the west side
of the Mississippi near St. Anthony Falls in 1849-50, organized as
a township May 11, 1858. The two communities of Minneapolis
and St. Anthony were joined in 1872.
7
T OUR S TOP
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
St Anthony Falls Upper Lock and Dam
During 1930-40, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed
the 9-Foot Channel Project (called this because of the
dredged depth of the navigation channel). The Channel
Project included a series of 23 locks and dams on the
Mississippi River but stopped a few miles short of St. Anthony
Falls. To enable river traffic to reach Minneapolis railheads,
Congress authorized a 4.6-mile extension. Congress approved
the Upper Minneapolis Harbor Development Project in 1937.
This project included the construction of the Upper St.
Anthony Falls Lock and Dam, which completed in 1963. The total cost of the Upper Minneapolis
Harbor Project was approximately $3 million. The Lock has a lift of 49 feet and is 56 feet wide by
400 feet long. The Dams consist of a horseshoe dam with a chord dam downstream of the
horseshoe and a concrete overflow spillway owned by Xcel Energy Center.
Stone Arch Bridge
Built in 1883 by the manager of the St. Paul, Minneapolis &
Manitoba Railway (later formed the Great Northern) James J.
Hill, the construction of the Stone Arch Bridge cost $650,000. In
1978, the last train crossed the bridge and was abandoned until
it reopened in 1994 as a pedestrian and bicycle bridge. Today it
is part of the Heritage Trail along the Mississippi River and is a
National Historic Engineering Landmark.
Mill Ruins Park
Mill Ruins Park is one of the newest parks in the Twin
Cities area. Opened in 2001, this archeological park
celebrates the rich industrial heritage of Minneapolis
riverfront area by showcasing the ruins of 19th-centry
mills that were once powered by nearby St. Anthony
Falls.
8
T OUR S TOP
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Mill City Museum
In 1965, the Washburn-Crosby “A” Mill closed after the industry
moved out of Minneapolis. In 1991, the mill was nearly destroyed
by fire. In the late 1990s, The Minnesota Historical Society
announced plans to re-use the burned out mill to develop the
Mill City Museum. The museum opened in 2003. The museum
narrates the flour milling industry that made Minneapolis
famous.
Brief History of Milling in Minneapolis
N 1823 The soldiers at Fort Snelling were the first to use St. Anthony Falls for power; they ran a
lumber mill and a gristmill.
N 1848-87 Minneapolis led the nation in saw milling.
N 1865 Will Cargill established his grain elevator company in Minneapolis
N 1869 The Pillsbury Company was founded
N 1870s A process (middlings purifier) that could make hard, winter wheat into clean, white flour
that was salable, revolutionized the flour milling industry
N 1870s Several flourmills were erected on the east side of the falls: North Star Mill, Tower and
Phoenix Mill
N 1874 Washburn “A” Mill was built by the Minneapolis Mill company (founded by Cadwallader
Washburn)
N 1977 John Crosby joined Washburn as a partner in the milling business forming the WashburnCrosby Company.
N 1878 Washburn “A” Mill exploded, killing 18 workers and destroying much of the west side mill
district.
N 1879 Washburn “A” Mill rebuilt
N 1880-1930 Minneapolis led the nation in flour production.
N 1880s 25 flour mills, a woolen mill, a sawmill, and the city waterworks lined an extended canal
along the west bank of the Mississippi
N 1881 Completion of the Pillsbury “A” Mill complex
N 1904 The last sawmill located at the falls shuts down.
N 1921 The last sawmill in Minneapolis closed
N 1928 General Mills formed from the Washburn-Crosby milling company
N 1930-50 Many flour mills were dismantled; bridges and railroad trestles were cleared from the
milling district.
N 1965 Washburn “A” mill closed, officially ending the flour milling era of Minneapolis
9
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Cue, Level 5 Café, and Spoonriver
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Guthrie Theatre
The Historic Guthrie Theatre located next to the Walker Art Center
was designed by Ralph Rapson. It opened in May 7, 1963 with the
production of Hamlet. Guthrie Theatre moved to its current
location
after its 2006 production of Hamlet closed on May 7th. Designed by
French architect, Jean Novel, it is 285,000 SF and houses 3
theatres. The new Guthrie Theatre opened July 15, 2006 with its
production of the Great Gatsby.
10
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Noche, Sapor, Old Spaghetti Factory, and Sawatdee
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
The Milwaukee Road Depot
In 1889, the Milwaukee Road built a new passenger station at
Third Street and Washington Avenue. The Depot, a
Renaissance Revival style building, was designed by Charles
Frost remains one of the last long-span, truss-roofed sheds
surviving in the nation. In 1920, at its peak, 29 trains departed
daily from the Depot. The Depot ceased being used as a
passenger station in 1971. After being abandoned for many
years the Milwaukee Road Depot and train shed were
transformed in 2001 into a hotel, restaurant and ice rink
complex.
The Dancers
This sculpture, installed in 2003, was constructed by artist Fernando Botero. It is
made entirely of bronze and stands nearly nine feet tall. It is one of only three
The Dancers castings in the world.
11
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Kieran’s Irish Pub
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
The Federal Courts Building
Designed by Martha Schwartz, earth mounds, logs, and jack
pine, symbols of Minnesota's cultural and natural history, are
the design elements for the 50,000-square-foot plaza. The
mounds, reminiscent of drumlins created during Minnesota’s
glacial period, direct circulation and provide green areas above
a parking ramp. Also located in the plaza is Tom Otterness’
public art sculpture, the Rockman (1997-99).
12
T OUR S TOP
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Minneapolis City Hall
Designed by architects Franklin Bidwell Long and Frederick Kees,
the construction of Minneapolis City Hall officially finished in 1909
at a cost of $3.5 million. At the time of construction, the building
claimed to have the world's largest clock. The tower housing the
clock reaches 345 feet in height and was the tallest structure in
the city until the 1920s when the Foshay Tower was built. A 15
bell Carillon in the tower is played regularly with noontime
concerts provided to the public a few times per week.
13
T OUR S TOP
R ESTAURANTS :
Atlas Grill
P OINTS
OF I NTEREST :
Hennepin County Government Center Plaza
This building, opened in 1974 spans over 6th Street, features two
plazas. The front plaza includes a large pool and the sunken back
plaza has dense tree plantings, which drown out noise from city
traffic. Since the plaza’s inception, there have been 5 major
attempts to keep the pavers in the plaza from chipping or
slipping underfoot. The original 1974 set became very slippery
when wet, as did the 1990 replacements. In fall 2004 during the
$4 million site renovation, the county solved the problem with a
new, rough-hewn set of pavers costing $600,000. Now the
problem is chipping. The pavers on the 5th Street side of the
Government Center, which are set above a parking ramp, began
to chip and flake nearly as soon as installation finished in spring
2004. Tests are being done to determine the source of the
problem.