I grew up in Minneapolis-St.Paul region in the 198o's. At that time we had two major uptown/downtown city shopping Downtown Minneapolis and ST.Paul very rare for a medium sized urban areas. Now both of the downtowns are now empty.
The Met was so well built it would have lasted past 2080. Afterall It was built out of stone. America as a whole has little respect for history. Newer is always better - so the saying goes. Notice Europe and how those nations add to the old but never "renew" the entire downtown - unless its Berlin 1945. So now Minneapolis looks like a piece of glass. Woopie! On the other hand those old buildings were not bringing in the cash.
right around 3:16, the title reads "sweed hollow" - c'mon it's SWEDE, like in short for Swedish, a a large portion of Twin Cities' heritage...although someone MAY have been creating a poor pun on the word "weed"...?
@bluzdawg good observation, i noticed that too, my family once lived in swede hollow in the early 1900's when it was mostly italian, as well as the Levee
In the 1960s and 1970s there was a lot of disregard for the historic structures in the Twin Cities. Probably because the decision-makers at the time had grown up with them, and viewed them as embarrassingly old fashioned, and wanted 'modern' structures. Seems like St Paul has kept more of its historical heritage downtown.
Some of these buildings would be really nice to still have around but look at this way change comes with time and there was probably a good reason for those buildings to not be around either they were not salvageable or the funds werent there to save them either way they are not around anymore so lets stop crying about it and move on.
Here are examples/results of the "progessives" back then. Sadly nothing ever "change"[s] for the better. Liberals distroy everything that is good; conservatives try to keep that which is good, if there is anything left to keep.
I live in st. paul and my grandpa and dad always tell me of how st. paul used to be , i even have noticed how the city is slowly destroying itself, if i could have one wish it would be to live in st. paul during the 30's when 7th and wabasha was like broadway in new york
I grew up in Minneapolis but I will always favor Saint Paul. Saint Paul feels organic, community driven and friendly, while Minneapolis feels kitsch and rude. MPLS used to have that same feeling until all the jerks from California and Chicago moved in. Now it's a bunch of condos.
@R0ckMusicL0v3r Really? I guess I can see your point but I'm a northwest suburb kid and I love minneapolis because it's home to me. The lakes near uptown, and the dive bars in NE are my favorite parts. I even enjoy an occasional drive through North Mpls to see the rough neighborhood my dad grew up in...with the car doors locked. As for St. Paul, the Xcel and Science museum are great. I've never really thought of it as a rivalry. Just great Minnesota cities.
Thanks for creating this! It makes me just SICK to think that gems like this could be destroyed! The Urban Renewal movement caused many cities throughout the country to lose some of their most prized possessions. It makes me both sad and angry to know that they were intentionally demolished. Buildings RIP
A wonderful series of photos, but the glaring omission is The Great Northern Depot in Mpls. Also missing is Dania Hall on the West Bank. Minneapolis is probably the worst city in the country for tearing down anything that is old. At least St. Paul has some sense of its past. Thanks for this post. A former Minnesotan has a tear in his eye tonight.
How do you arrange for song purchase info? I used some Einsturzende Neubauten (look into it for a soundtrack sometime...it means "falling down buildings" .) on a mashup and would like to keep it all square....
The Metropolitain Building was perhaps the most recent heartbreaker of all those 19th century stone palaces. It really was quite beautiful and it lasted longer than most of the others, but it was torn down in the early 1960s despite a lot of reasoned, intelligent and vociferous calls for its preservation. That was about the same time a distinctive, unusual and beautiful modernist theater named for Tyrone Guthrie was built. That one was torn down about 4 years ago. History repeats.
Thanks for posting this. I really wish they could have saved these buildings,I would have loved to see the Met=) The architechure was maybe not as elaborate and large as the modern buildings of today,but it was much more romantic and meaningful.
I had no idea that the Twin Cities had such a rich architectural heritage. What a shame it's all gone now. I've visited Minneapolis recently, and while it's nice enough there doesn't seem to be the character that these demolished buildings had.
I remember reading that a lot of these buildings got torn down in the 60s for redevelopment. I wish I could have been born early enough to see some of them.
Highly unfortunate. People who want only money in life never stop to appreciate the beauty that sometimes money creates, Architecture being a good example of this.
This is a very nice collection of some of the history of the buildings and areas of the TC. Too bad that more of the buidlings weren't demolished to give more of a "heritage feel" to the downtowns than so much of the glass and steel that replaced them. "Progress" doesn't always look great over time.
wow. this makes me really appreciate the twin cities. it use to be so beautiful (it still is) but we really should have kept alot of those building. history is key.
Why didn't you get any pictures of the huge flour mills around St.Anthony Falls. They're what started the large population of Minneapolis. You also din't get any pictures of the lumber mill just before the falls. There were'nt any pictures of the Stone Arch bridge before the rails were taken off of it. This was still a good video though because it shows a lot of other places that most people wouldn't even recognize today.
Beautiful! Very appropriate ending. I was waiting for that building to pop up. So many people were upset when that building came down. It helped start the National Regestry anyway.
Loved the photos, loved the Bocelli. But there was a rality behind your romantic gloopiness (sorry) that has to be acknowledged. The Gateway was a hell hole (I remember it as a child.) Swede Hollow? A slum. And a lot of the buildings looked much worse in the sharp light of reality. But the Metrpolitan? Sheer tragedy. I was there for the end of it all, and I know. Remember the 50s in Minneapolis, now that's a lost paradise.
Romantic gloopiness?!? Rality?!? Ouch! It might have been a hell hole, but at least it was alive. The old pisshouse looked alot better than the abandoned car dealership that stands there now.
Sorry if I offended. What piss house and what abandoned car lot? If it was the Metropolitan Building, I mounrn that loss as much as anybody. It was a gothic masterpiece. And I do apologize for missing the 'e' in "reality" when I was typing. But if you're going to put a bunch of photos of Minneapolis out there, with Italian opera in the background to boot, know what you're talking about. There's more than what you put out there, tay?
That abandoned car dealership is really ugly. They could turn that place into a really nice park or make a unique and bueautiful building there. I would go with a park, it's would be worse if it's covered up by a foundation.
Here, Here! Minneapolis had the best street car system also at that time. The city council took kick backs from GM to dismantle the system and buy their buses. What a loss of what had been a jewel of a city!
that was so cool i would like to see those buildings still up today
kooimanspencer 5 days ago
Selby Tunnel still exists. Well the east portal still does. The west portal was filled in.
thomasrosiefan1 1 month ago
CENTRAL!!
getemnate1 4 months ago
I grew up in Minneapolis-St.Paul region in the 198o's. At that time we had two major uptown/downtown city shopping Downtown Minneapolis and ST.Paul very rare for a medium sized urban areas. Now both of the downtowns are now empty.
vkoo32 5 months ago
The Met was so well built it would have lasted past 2080. Afterall It was built out of stone. America as a whole has little respect for history. Newer is always better - so the saying goes. Notice Europe and how those nations add to the old but never "renew" the entire downtown - unless its Berlin 1945. So now Minneapolis looks like a piece of glass. Woopie! On the other hand those old buildings were not bringing in the cash.
EricDavidFloyd 5 months ago
The Metropolitan was the most tragic yet there was no way it could have lasted into the 80s .
70CarStall 6 months ago
right around 3:16, the title reads "sweed hollow" - c'mon it's SWEDE, like in short for Swedish, a a large portion of Twin Cities' heritage...although someone MAY have been creating a poor pun on the word "weed"...?
bluzdawg 10 months ago
@bluzdawg good observation, i noticed that too, my family once lived in swede hollow in the early 1900's when it was mostly italian, as well as the Levee
usmc4life4 10 months ago
In the 1960s and 1970s there was a lot of disregard for the historic structures in the Twin Cities. Probably because the decision-makers at the time had grown up with them, and viewed them as embarrassingly old fashioned, and wanted 'modern' structures. Seems like St Paul has kept more of its historical heritage downtown.
deepwater9 10 months ago
Some of these buildings would be really nice to still have around but look at this way change comes with time and there was probably a good reason for those buildings to not be around either they were not salvageable or the funds werent there to save them either way they are not around anymore so lets stop crying about it and move on.
LINDY2588 10 months ago
Here are examples/results of the "progessives" back then. Sadly nothing ever "change"[s] for the better. Liberals distroy everything that is good; conservatives try to keep that which is good, if there is anything left to keep.
captainmorgan757 11 months ago
I live in st. paul and my grandpa and dad always tell me of how st. paul used to be , i even have noticed how the city is slowly destroying itself, if i could have one wish it would be to live in st. paul during the 30's when 7th and wabasha was like broadway in new york
usmc4life4 1 year ago
is the music from the soundtrack to "step-brothers"? will farrell rules! boats and hos! boats and hos!
scottrngr 1 year ago
@scottrngr The song is "Con ti Partiro". It was actually used in two of his movies. Blades of Glory being the other one. He must be a fan of Bocelli.
eluko79 1 year ago
I grew up in Minneapolis but I will always favor Saint Paul. Saint Paul feels organic, community driven and friendly, while Minneapolis feels kitsch and rude. MPLS used to have that same feeling until all the jerks from California and Chicago moved in. Now it's a bunch of condos.
R0ckMusicL0v3r 1 year ago
@R0ckMusicL0v3r Really? I guess I can see your point but I'm a northwest suburb kid and I love minneapolis because it's home to me. The lakes near uptown, and the dive bars in NE are my favorite parts. I even enjoy an occasional drive through North Mpls to see the rough neighborhood my dad grew up in...with the car doors locked. As for St. Paul, the Xcel and Science museum are great. I've never really thought of it as a rivalry. Just great Minnesota cities.
jbjindra 1 year ago
Thanks for creating this! It makes me just SICK to think that gems like this could be destroyed! The Urban Renewal movement caused many cities throughout the country to lose some of their most prized possessions. It makes me both sad and angry to know that they were intentionally demolished. Buildings RIP
jonathanbraski 1 year ago
Actually the Libray site is a parking lot! It is on 10th/Henn. right in front of St. Thomas
timm55 1 year ago
A wonderful series of photos, but the glaring omission is The Great Northern Depot in Mpls. Also missing is Dania Hall on the West Bank. Minneapolis is probably the worst city in the country for tearing down anything that is old. At least St. Paul has some sense of its past. Thanks for this post. A former Minnesotan has a tear in his eye tonight.
signjay 1 year ago
I heard it on Almanac - May 2010 - Caty Werzer asked "why does Europe save buildings and we tear all our old buildings down?"
Guest's answer: short and to the point ---- CAPITALISM
sleacc 1 year ago
How do you arrange for song purchase info? I used some Einsturzende Neubauten (look into it for a soundtrack sometime...it means "falling down buildings" .) on a mashup and would like to keep it all square....
zeitguide 1 year ago
Alot of history.....gone!
lavalampluva 1 year ago
I grew up in the twin cities and am so
sad I never saw any of these nice buildings. How moronic to tear them down. Too bad cold drives smart people away.
MrTheMercury 2 years ago
@MrTheMercury yeah, because we know how smart everyone in those warm places like the South, Arizona, California, etc. are
punkrockcop 1 year ago
The Metropolitain Building was perhaps the most recent heartbreaker of all those 19th century stone palaces. It really was quite beautiful and it lasted longer than most of the others, but it was torn down in the early 1960s despite a lot of reasoned, intelligent and vociferous calls for its preservation. That was about the same time a distinctive, unusual and beautiful modernist theater named for Tyrone Guthrie was built. That one was torn down about 4 years ago. History repeats.
cleostreet 2 years ago
Wow those were some nice buildings, and wasent Central the only high school in the area? And do you know when Central was started?
BSagitarius 2 years ago
and i think the mpls library at 2:30 is now the cop shop....funny
mrscovil 2 years ago
Your thinking of city hall. They tore down the library.
eluko79 2 years ago
wow, interesting nicollet and hennipen crossed back then...or maybe this is wrong.
mrscovil 2 years ago
Thanks for posting this. I really wish they could have saved these buildings,I would have loved to see the Met=) The architechure was maybe not as elaborate and large as the modern buildings of today,but it was much more romantic and meaningful.
thabird611 2 years ago
I had no idea that the Twin Cities had such a rich architectural heritage. What a shame it's all gone now. I've visited Minneapolis recently, and while it's nice enough there doesn't seem to be the character that these demolished buildings had.
danders76 2 years ago
If you are interested in Twin Cities history, read "Lost Twin Cities" and "Twin Cities Then and Now" by Larry Millett, highly recommended.
pavelow235 2 years ago
Bravo! Bravo la mia signora giusta.
LuisJSoria 2 years ago
I remember reading that a lot of these buildings got torn down in the 60s for redevelopment. I wish I could have been born early enough to see some of them.
SD457500 2 years ago
i wish all these buildings were never tore down and wish they were still here today there nice
InfamousYG 2 years ago
what is this song, ive heard it before, its beautiful
Weezymagee 2 years ago
Highly unfortunate. People who want only money in life never stop to appreciate the beauty that sometimes money creates, Architecture being a good example of this.
WilliamofMunich 2 years ago 8
What about the University of Minnesota's Memorial Stadium?
AaronApolloCamp 3 years ago
I couldn't find a matching picture for the video. I got a shot of it in another video I made though. Search for "archive footage of the twin cities".
eluko79 3 years ago
This is a very nice collection of some of the history of the buildings and areas of the TC. Too bad that more of the buidlings weren't demolished to give more of a "heritage feel" to the downtowns than so much of the glass and steel that replaced them. "Progress" doesn't always look great over time.
hoopsguy1 3 years ago
C'mon now, it's "Swede Hollow." How can you call yourself a Twin Citian?
illustrious4ce 3 years ago
yeah i know. oh well.
eluko79 3 years ago
man....theres alot of gangs in TC now....
but damn this did make me miss home!
good stuff! 5 stars
ThugalogPlaya 3 years ago
what is the song playing?
minnesotabatman 3 years ago
con ti partiro
eluko79 3 years ago
wow. this makes me really appreciate the twin cities. it use to be so beautiful (it still is) but we really should have kept alot of those building. history is key.
blueyebabe0725 3 years ago 2
wHAT ABOUT 35W BRIDGE
suemaried 3 years ago
wait they rebuilt
suemaried 3 years ago
I made the vid before it collapsed.
eluko79 3 years ago
There were a lot of diseases in Sweed Hallow.
ajjal2 4 years ago
I would imagine. Its just interesting to see it actually existed.
eluko79 4 years ago
Why didn't you get any pictures of the huge flour mills around St.Anthony Falls. They're what started the large population of Minneapolis. You also din't get any pictures of the lumber mill just before the falls. There were'nt any pictures of the Stone Arch bridge before the rails were taken off of it. This was still a good video though because it shows a lot of other places that most people wouldn't even recognize today.
Westomania 4 years ago
I agree
Sweetdreamsprelude 3 years ago
Beautiful! Very appropriate ending. I was waiting for that building to pop up. So many people were upset when that building came down. It helped start the National Regestry anyway.
ClueMaster317 4 years ago 4
beautiful
ClueMaster317 4 years ago
a history lesson i can't wait to come home
JasonfromMinnesota 4 years ago
hay i dont think ive seen another guy from the twin cities on youtube!
scrfce454 4 years ago
Half of my subscribers are from here. Check em out.
eluko79 4 years ago
ight
scrfce454 4 years ago
i am
rl2020 4 years ago
Hey I don't speak Italian or know a thing about opera. All I know is that is a great video.
mspklb 4 years ago
Loved the photos, loved the Bocelli. But there was a rality behind your romantic gloopiness (sorry) that has to be acknowledged. The Gateway was a hell hole (I remember it as a child.) Swede Hollow? A slum. And a lot of the buildings looked much worse in the sharp light of reality. But the Metrpolitan? Sheer tragedy. I was there for the end of it all, and I know. Remember the 50s in Minneapolis, now that's a lost paradise.
randersonwa 4 years ago
Romantic gloopiness?!? Rality?!? Ouch! It might have been a hell hole, but at least it was alive. The old pisshouse looked alot better than the abandoned car dealership that stands there now.
eluko79 4 years ago
Sorry if I offended. What piss house and what abandoned car lot? If it was the Metropolitan Building, I mounrn that loss as much as anybody. It was a gothic masterpiece. And I do apologize for missing the 'e' in "reality" when I was typing. But if you're going to put a bunch of photos of Minneapolis out there, with Italian opera in the background to boot, know what you're talking about. There's more than what you put out there, tay?
randersonwa 4 years ago
The pisshouse was the monument at gateway park. And Con Ti Partiro aint opera! Its just Italian. Maybe you should do a little more research yourself.
eluko79 4 years ago
That abandoned car dealership is really ugly. They could turn that place into a really nice park or make a unique and bueautiful building there. I would go with a park, it's would be worse if it's covered up by a foundation.
Westomania 4 years ago
this is great
pikestank 4 years ago
Here, Here! Minneapolis had the best street car system also at that time. The city council took kick backs from GM to dismantle the system and buy their buses. What a loss of what had been a jewel of a city!
10jake10 4 years ago
whats the name of this song?
canu182 4 years ago
"Con ti Partiro" by Andrea Bocelli.
eluko79 4 years ago
thank you
canu182 4 years ago
I have added you a rating (5 stars) and a signature.
giorgiovigo 4 years ago
I cant believe all of that is gone....so sad
sonunow 4 years ago
This video is a true service to humankind. Stunning.
In the future present, you must be involved in creation of a historical simulation. Can you imagine photosynthing these!?
rayofminneapolis 5 years ago
Thanks.
With the right program it wouldn't be to hard to photosynth. I used to design my own buildings on simcity way back in the day.
eluko79 5 years ago