Today we sketched at the Milwaukee Avenue Historic District in Minneapolis. We sketched along its bike and pedestrian-friendly mall going through the small colorful houses of the district.
It is worth reading the history of these houses which started out in the late 1800’s as low cost housing for immigrants.
By the end of World War II – the homes have fallen into disrepair. Several have deteriorated so much with no heating and plumbing. In the late 50’s and 60’s – the City of Minneapolis had plans to get rid of these homes but seasoned protestors in the neighborhood put up a good fight by registering the district in the National Register of Historic Places. This meant that the city can’t get rid of the homes without public hearing.
The homes survived mostly and have since been either rebuilt or restored to their original styles.
My first apartment in the US when I moved from the Philippines in 2000 was in the Seward Neighborhood – very close to Milwaukee Avenue. I have very fond memories of strolling through the quiet mall through those homes.