Stevens Square, Minneapolis
Encyclopedia
Stevens Square is a neighborhood within the Central community
in Minneapolis. It extends from Lyndale Avenue in the west to Interstate 35W
in the east, and from Interstate 94
in the north to Franklin Avenue in the south. It is a short, wide neighborhood; the distance between Interstate 94 and Franklin Avenue is only a couple blocks, but the distance between Lyndale Avenue and Interstate 35W is almost a mile. Stevens Square/Loring Heights is bordered by the following neighborhoods: Loring Park to the north, Phillips
to the east, Whittier
to the south, and Lowry Hill East to the west. It is only about a seven-minute walk to the southern edge of Downtown Minneapolis.
The area is composed mostly of old brownstone apartment buildings or mansions that have been subdivided into apartments, giving the neighborhood a heavy population density within its small geographical area. The neighborhood was named after John H. Stevens
who was the first permanent resident to settle in the west bank
side of Minneapolis. The neighborhood was designated by the city as a historic district in 1989 because of the number of -story apartment buildings surrounding Stevens Square Park. The buildings are similar in appearance with brown brick exteriors, contrasting limestone lintels, belt-coursing and columns flanking the main entrances. Most of the buildings have had very few external modifications. Five of the apartments are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
, being designated in 1993.
Stevens Square Park is the center of the neighborhood; it occupies a city block between East 18th Street, East 19th Street, Stevens Avenue South, and 2nd Avenue South. It is the survivor of two parks historically established in the area. The other park, Franklin Steele Square, was significantly changed as a result of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
. Franklin Steele Square was named after Franklin Steele
, who was one of the first East bank settlers. The interchange of Interstate 94 and Interstate 35W occupies part of the park's former site.
Central, Minneapolis
The Central community in Minneapolis is located in the central part of the city, consisting of 6 smaller official neighborhoods, and includes Downtown Minneapolis, the central business district...
in Minneapolis. It extends from Lyndale Avenue in the west to Interstate 35W
Interstate 35W (Minnesota)
Interstate 35W , is an Interstate Highway in the U.S. state of Minnesota, passing through downtown Minneapolis. It is one of two through routes for Interstate 35 through the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, the other being Interstate 35E through downtown Saint Paul...
in the east, and from Interstate 94
Interstate 94
Interstate 94 is the northernmost east–west Interstate Highway, connecting the Great Lakes and Intermountain regions of the United States. I-94's western terminus is in Billings, Montana at a junction with Interstate 90; its eastern terminus is the U.S...
in the north to Franklin Avenue in the south. It is a short, wide neighborhood; the distance between Interstate 94 and Franklin Avenue is only a couple blocks, but the distance between Lyndale Avenue and Interstate 35W is almost a mile. Stevens Square/Loring Heights is bordered by the following neighborhoods: Loring Park to the north, Phillips
Phillips, Minneapolis
Phillips is a community in Minneapolis, just south of downtown. It is one of the most diverse and culturally-rich communities in Minnesota. Traditionally, it was both a community and a neighborhood . In other words, the Phillips community only contained one neighborhood, also called Phillips...
to the east, Whittier
Whittier, Minneapolis
Whittier is a neighborhood in the U.S. city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, bounded by Franklin Avenue on the north, Interstate 35W on the east, Lake Street on the south, and Lyndale Avenue on the west. It is known for many diverse restaurants, coffee shops and Asian markets, especially along Nicollet...
to the south, and Lowry Hill East to the west. It is only about a seven-minute walk to the southern edge of Downtown Minneapolis.
The area is composed mostly of old brownstone apartment buildings or mansions that have been subdivided into apartments, giving the neighborhood a heavy population density within its small geographical area. The neighborhood was named after John H. Stevens
John H. Stevens
John Harrington Stevens was the first authorized resident on the west bank of the Mississippi River in what would become Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was granted permission to occupy the site, then part of the Fort Snelling military reservation, in exchange for providing ferry service to St. Anthony...
who was the first permanent resident to settle in the west bank
West Bank
The West Bank ) of the Jordan River is the landlocked geographical eastern part of the Palestinian territories located in Western Asia. To the west, north, and south, the West Bank shares borders with the state of Israel. To the east, across the Jordan River, lies the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan...
side of Minneapolis. The neighborhood was designated by the city as a historic district in 1989 because of the number of -story apartment buildings surrounding Stevens Square Park. The buildings are similar in appearance with brown brick exteriors, contrasting limestone lintels, belt-coursing and columns flanking the main entrances. Most of the buildings have had very few external modifications. Five of the apartments are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
, being designated in 1993.
Stevens Square Park is the center of the neighborhood; it occupies a city block between East 18th Street, East 19th Street, Stevens Avenue South, and 2nd Avenue South. It is the survivor of two parks historically established in the area. The other park, Franklin Steele Square, was significantly changed as a result of the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956
The Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, popularly known as the National Interstate and Defense Highways Act , was enacted on June 29, 1956, when Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the bill into law...
. Franklin Steele Square was named after Franklin Steele
Franklin Steele
Franklin Steele was an early and significant settler of Minneapolis, Minnesota in the United States. Born in Chester County, Pennsylvania of Scottish descent, Steele worked in the Lancaster post-office as a young man, where he once met James Buchanan.-Early success:With encouragement from his...
, who was one of the first East bank settlers. The interchange of Interstate 94 and Interstate 35W occupies part of the park's former site.