Archive by category History

Tune into Northside radio

Did you know that North Minneapolis is home to two FM radio stations? KMOJ 88.9 and KBEM 88.5 both serve the Northside and beyond. KMOJ started very humbly in …

Some history on our Northside fire stations

Since October is Fire Prevention Month, I thought I’d look into the history of our Northside fire stations. Currently we are served by four Minneapolis Fire …

A look back at the PTA

With another new school year approaching I often become a bit nostalgic, and then a chance encounter with a mom and daughter selling snacks as a fundraiser for …

Wirth Lake had many names

I spent many a summer day in the 1950s and early 1960s heading west down Glenwood Ave from my home on Queen Ave to go to the beach on Glenwood Lake. When I was …

Looking back at a major teachers’ strike

I have written about our public schools in the past, but this month I thought I’d write about an event that took place 55 years ago and not only had an …

The many changes to Basset’s Creek

I grew up close to Bassett’s Creek, one block west and down Fruen’s hill. Even though my parents had forbidden me to go there unless it was frozen over, I …

Forgotten lakes and ponds

Growing up in the lowest part of the Northside, I only knew of three local bodies of water other than the Mississippi River. There was Glenwood Lake (now named …

Celebrating 100 years of great community service

On April 11, 2025 the Phyllis Wheatley Community Center will host a gala to celebrate its centennial. Originally called the Phyllis Wheatley Settlement House, …

Women shaping history

Being that March is Women’s History Month, I thought I’d write a bit about a few women from Minneapolis history that you may not have heard of before. …

Figuring out Presidents’ Day

I seem to remember as a kid going to elementary school in North Minneapolis in the 1950s, that some years we got a day off for President George Washington’s …