Category: historic-preservation
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Full History of Lake Shetek
Last weekend I traveled north for a quick weekend of camping in southwest Minnesota to soak up the outdoors as much as possible before what looks like a solitary winter thanks to COVID-19. I camped with my husband and some friends at Lake Shetek State Park, just outside the town of Curie. The lakes that…
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Economic Benefits of Saving Brick Streets
At the turn of the 20th century paving streets became a priority throughout the U.S. Prior to 1913, long distance travel was done via train. The lack of connectivity and adequately maintained roads made it prohibitive for anyone to travel in the newly invented automobile. With the support of the Good Roads Movement (which actually…
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History of Indian Cave State Park
A few weeks ago my husband and I went camping with some friends just south of Nebraska City at Indian Cave State Park. It was the first time we had been to this campsite, but was clearly a favorite park for many as nearly every campsite was filled. The parks draw is its location along…
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Impact of Transportation Evolution on Mississippi River Towns
The first week of June I presented with colleagues the impact of the Mississippi River on the adjacent river communities for the virtual Preserve Iowa Summit. My portion of the presentation was on the evolution of transportation and its unique effect on river towns not seen further inland. My colleague and historic architect Michelle Cunliffe…
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8 Key Benefits of Historic Preservation for Communities
I have long been an advocate for historic preservation. My passion began when I was young, walking among beautiful old buildings. I loved the extensive details they had, especially in the Queen Anne houses, and was drawn to the field of architecture as a result. It took me until the end of my bachelors degree…
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The Hidden Health Benefits of Living in Older Homes
The most comprehensive list for why old places matters was developed by Tom Mayes and includes topics you would typically think of such as identity, memory, continuity, and beauty as well as some more broad topics such as economic impact, sustainability, and community. What I have yet to come across is health as a reason…
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Why Old Homes Are Eco-Friendly
While not everyone is interested in living in an older home, many people seek out these gems because of their character and charm. A quaint bungalow or imposing colonial revival are just a few of the styles popular before WWII that stand out from the way we design today. Not only are older homes unique…
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The Legacy of Nicodemus: A Black Settlement Story
I recently finished reading First Dawn by Judith Miller, a fiction book about two separate families moving from Kentucky to Kansas to new settlements on the prairie. One family was headed by a wealthy white doctor while the other was a former slave/sharecropper. Each group moved to a different town separated by a mere 30…
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Historic Bars of Northeast Minneapolis: A Walk Through Time
I’m fascinated by the way cities used to look, with the corner grocery store, hardware store, restaurant, and of course bar, tucked into neighborhoods, spaced about a mile apart. The resident of the 1920’s city could walk to get everything they needed or take a trolley if they needed something just a little bit further. Peppered…
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The Rich History of Northeast Minneapolis Neighborhoods
The area of Northeast Minneapolis, commonly referred to as Nordeast, comprises 4,564 acres and 12,197 buildings. It has been surveyed a number of times by the City of Minneapolis, the first of which was back in 1981. Within this area, 204 properties are considered to have potential as a local historic landmark. Despite the number…
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The Planning Lady 