Neighborhood Resistance to I-94, 1953–1965

In the 1950s, planned construction of Interstate Highway 94 (I-94) threatened to fracture four Twin Cities neighborhoods: Rondo, Prospect Park, Merriam Park, and Seward. Although each community responded differently and achieved different results, all were models of persistence and resistance.

Henry G. Leathers, ca. 1900s. Photograph by Nelson Photographic Studio of Anoka. Used with the permission of Anoka County Historical Society (Object ID# P2075.14.09).

Henry G. Leathers

Henry G. Leathers, ca. 1900s. Photograph by Nelson Photographic Studio of Anoka. Used with the permission of Anoka County Historical Society (Object ID# P2075.14.09).

Dennis Donovan ca. 1950s. Donovan was the federal judge who presided at the Rudolph Mast trial. Photo by Kenneth Melvin Wright.

Dennis Donovan

Dennis Donovan ca. 1950s. Donovan was the federal judge who presided at the Rudolph Mast trial. Photo by Kenneth Melvin Wright.

Gunnar Nordbye ca. 1925. Nordbye was one of the federal judges who handled cases related to the Minneapolis-based prostitution ring headquartered at John’s Bar and Funhouse.

Gunnar Nordbye

Gunnar Nordbye ca. 1925. Nordbye was one of the federal judges who handled cases related to the Minneapolis-based prostitution ring headquartered at John’s Bar and Funhouse.

Gloria Jordell (left) and Phyllis Bennett (right) being booked on morals charges in Minneapolis, August 13, 1952. Minneapolis Star Tribune portraits collection, box 38.

Gloria Jordell and Phyllis Bennett

Gloria Jordell (left) and Phyllis Bennett (right) being booked on morals charges in Minneapolis, August 13, 1952. Minneapolis Star Tribune portraits collection, box 38.

George MacKinnon, ca. 1939. Photo by Greystone Studios Inc.

George MacKinnon

George MacKinnon, ca. 1939. Photo by Greystone Studios Inc.

John’s Bar and Funhouse (2500 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis), April 2, 1953. Photograph by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

John’s Bar and Funhouse

John’s Bar and Funhouse (2500 Marshall Street Northeast, Minneapolis), April 2, 1953. Photograph by the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

Postcard of the front of the Jackson Hotel, ca. 1939. The postcard was sent to relatives by Inez Foley, who worked at the hotel for a time. Used with the permission of the Anoka County Historical Society.

Jackson Hotel

Postcard of the front of the Jackson Hotel, ca. 1939. The postcard was sent to relatives by Inez Foley, who worked at the hotel for a time. Used with the permission of the Anoka County Historical Society.

Image from a glass plate negative showing the front desk of the Jackson Hotel, ca. 1926. Cigars for sale are visible in the case, and a timetable for the Anoka Electric Line is fixed to the back of the cash register. Art Anderson is one of the men in the photograph. This image was used as an advertisement at Green’s Theater, located on Main Street in Anoka a few blocks from the hotel. Photographer unknown. Used with the permission of the Anoka County

Jackson Hotel lobby

Image from a glass plate negative showing the front desk of the Jackson Hotel, ca. 1926. Cigars for sale are visible in the case, and a timetable for the Anoka Electric Line is fixed to the back of the cash register. Art Anderson is one of the men in the photograph. This image was used as an advertisement at Green’s Theater, located on Main Street in Anoka a few blocks from the hotel. Photographer unknown. Used with the permission of the Anoka County

: The Jackson Hotel (214 Jackson Street, Anoka), 1978. Photograph by Robert Kirchner.

Jackson Hotel

: The Jackson Hotel (214 Jackson Street, Anoka), 1978. Photograph by Robert Kirchner.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Cities and Towns