Early 1900's
The
brought
dawn with
of
the
it
a
20th new
century
style
of
transportation, electric street cars or "trollies". With this, cities began
1
to feel smaller and the Minneapolis
Standing on the Nicollet Ave bridge in 1919 looking sout
grid expanded rapidly. The intersection
over the then Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul R.R.(MNNHS)
of Nicollet Avenue and Lake Street became a hub for both transportation and recreation.
The "Greenway" as we know it today,
was a depressed rail (1) line that connected Minneapolis to other major cities
like
Chicago
and
Milwaukee.
Lake Street and West 31st Street (2)
2
became an East-West transit corridor
The entrance to Nicollet Park 1915, looking north on W
connecting the capital of St. Paul in
31st St and Nicollet Ave. (MNNHS)
the East to the western suburbs of St. Louis Park and Wayzata.
The minor league baseball team
The
Minneapolis
Millers
played
at
Nicollet Park (3) for over 60 years, located on the trolley lines. The team is known for hosting legendary Willie Mays for 2 months before being called up to play for the NY Giants. Today
3 Inside Nicollet Ball Park 1946. (MNNHS)
the MVP award for the World Series has been given his namesake.
Today, what was the Nicollet Car
Barn and Trolley Garage (4), is now the Metro Transit Bus Garage. Serving the same purpose it once did, just for a different generation.
10
4 Nicollet trolley station 1920(MNHS)
