Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go..... We are all getting out more to explore our own neighborhoods as a necessity to staying sane during this Covid-19 quarantine/ stay-at-home period. Saturday and Sunday mornings are days we typically take our dog on long morning walks starting from our house. We ran out of new places to go years ago--but we're lucky to live in an area so rich in natural resources, close to the Mississippi River with easy access to both Minneapolis and St. Paul sites.
This morning's walk took us over the Ford Parkway Bridge. The river was like glass, making the contrast at the Ford Dam dramatic. To the left of the photo above is the Ford hydroelectric plant and to the right is the locks. Above the locks, perched on the bluff, is the 52-acre Minneapolis Veteran's Home campus. They have had construction projects going on there for the last several years, so we've avoided it---but this morning we realized the cranes and construction vehicles were gone and the bridge from Minnehaha Park was open, so we decided to stroll on through.
The Minneapolis Veteran's Home campus is nestled between Minnehaha Regional Park and the Mississippi River. If you haven't taken the hike from Minnehaha Falls along the creek to the river, you should. This route will take you under the bridge that connects the park to the veteran's home. This is the bridge that just recently reopened (with a horrible angled chainlink fence added for safety).
The campus dates back to 1887 when the Old Soldier's Home was opened for veterans of the Civil War. In 1967, the name was changed to Minneapolis Veteran's Home. The area is designated as a US Historic District and is on the US National Register of Historic Places. There are some lovely red sandstone buildings with arched entries, turrets and balconies. Minnesota architect, Warren Barnes Dunnell is credited with the design.
The really sad part of this campus is the stark contrast between the elegant historic structures and the new buildings. If you ever need to convince someone why it's a horrible idea to mimic historic architecture, bring them here. The flat facades with piss poor detailing result in a cartoonish mocking of the historic buildings. Sad is the kindest word I can use.
Look away from the new crap and focus on the lovely detailing of the old buildings.
Really, don't look at the new stuff too long, it will make you cranky.
Bonus-- if you are into disc golf, there is a course right next to the Wabun picnic area (and splash pool if you have little ones and if we're aren't in quarantine come summer).
Gotta tell it like it is!
"Sad".....ouch! - Don't get on an architect's bad side.