Southwest of Lake Harriet: From Mrs. Thornton’s Resort to the Fulton Neighborhood

We will explore the evolution of this corner of the Fulton neighborhood from its beginning as a rural lake resort through the rapid extension south of Linden Hills. From the opening of Robert Fulton School in 1911 and the Xerxes Avenue streetcar line extension that soon followed, Fulton spread across both hills and former marshland. We will learn of early residents preceding 1911, including Black families, trace how public-school needs have been met in the Lake Harriet district, pass by the original building of Lake Harriet Methodist Church, moved in 1916 to 49th and York, and view the ongoing change in character of Fulton due to recently built houses replacing earlier ones.

The tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. from the corner of Thomas Avenue S. and W. Lake Harriet Parkway. The tour will be held rain or shine, except if an electrical storm is forecasted for the day of the event. Those wishing to attend should RSVP below.

Southwest of Lake Harriet: From Mrs. Thornton’s Resort to the Fulton Neighborhood

RESCHEDULED from July 23 due to inclement weather.

We will explore the evolution of this corner of the Fulton neighborhood from its beginning as a rural lake resort through the rapid extension south of Linden Hills. From the opening of Robert Fulton School in 1911 and the Xerxes Avenue streetcar line extension that soon followed, Fulton spread across both hills and former marshland. We will learn of early residents preceding 1911, including Black families, trace how public-school needs have been met in the Lake Harriet district, pass by the original building of Lake Harriet Methodist Church, moved in 1916 to 49th and York, and view the ongoing change in character of Fulton due to recently built houses replacing earlier ones.

The tours will begin at 6:30 p.m. from the corner of Thomas Avenue S. and W. Lake Harriet Parkway. The tour will be held rain or shine, except if an electrical storm is forecasted for the day of the event. Those wishing to attend should RSVP below.

The Most Competitive Passenger Corridor: Chicago—Twin Cities

From the 1890s to the 1960s, the best passenger trains in North America traveled between the Twin Cities and Chicago. Until World War I, seven railroads competed for the business. Four continued to do so after World War II. Starting in the 1930s, the competition resulted in the Burlington’s Zephyrs, the Milwaukee Road’s Hiawatha, and the Chicago & North Western’s 400, the nation’s fastest trains. Author Aaron Isaacs will tell their story, based on his latest book.

An optional lunch at Hilltop Restaurant (5101 Arcadia Ave, Edina, MN 55436) follows the presentation. Please make your lunch reservation by RSVPing below, or call (612) 799-5141.

Finding Homes for Our Treasures

Do you have material handed down from family? Letters, photos, maps of your hometown? Collections of Rosewood pottery? Ted Hathaway from Hennepin County Library-Minneapolis Central Library’s Special Collections, Yves Hoppie from Minnesota Historical Society Collections Dept., and Jonathan Campbell from H&B Gallery-antique shop will help us evaluate our possessions and learn what a repository or a business might be interested in acquiring, and what they have to offer in terms of preservation, sharing with the broader community, or resale.