Cedar-Riverside, Minneapolis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Cedar-Riverside West Bank
Neighborhood
Nickname(s):  Little Mogadishu
Location of Cedar-Riverside within the U.S. city of Minneapolis
Country	United States
State	Minnesota
County	Hennepin
City	Minneapolis
Community	University
City Council Wards	2,6
Area
• Total	0.549 sq mi (1.42 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	9,000
• Density	16,400/sq mi (6,300/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	55454
Area code(s)	612

Cedar-Riverside, also known as the West Bank, is a lively neighborhood in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It sits next to the Mississippi River on its north and east sides. To the south is Interstate 94, and to the west are Hiawatha Avenue and Interstate 35W. This area is famous for its many different cultures and its strong tradition of arts.

History of Cedar-Riverside

Early Immigrants and "Snoose Boulevard"

Cedar-Riverside has always been a welcoming place for people from other countries. In the late 1800s, many people from Sweden, Germany, and Bohemia came to live here. Cedar Avenue became a busy center for the Scandinavian community. You could hear Swedish, Norwegian, and Danish spoken in many shops. Early on, Swedish American performers entertained crowds at places like Dania Hall and The Southern Theater.

There were many Scandinavian-owned businesses. These included Samuelsen’s confectionery, Hagen's appliance store, and Moberg’s Norwegian deli. Dania Hall was a special meeting place for the Danish community. It had a dining hall, shops, offices, and a theater for shows and dances.

By the 1920s, the neighborhood became less lively. However, it remained very Scandinavian into the 1940s. After World War II, new immigrants from Eastern Europe also settled in the area. The busy intersection of Washington Avenue, Cedar Avenue, and 19th Avenue was called Seven Corners. The Cedar-Riverside area was even known as "Snoose Boulevard" because so many Scandinavians lived there.

A Hub for Counterculture

In the 1950s, the West Bank area became a bit run-down. But in the mid-1960s, it changed into a center for the counterculture and antiwar movement. It was a home for hippies, protesters, and other groups who questioned the usual way of life. During this time, the neighborhood was called the "Haight-Ashbury of the Midwest."

Many students and people who liked the hippie lifestyle lived in old rental houses. They gathered at coffeehouses like the Extemporé and The Scholar. Bars like the Triangle Bar also hosted performers such as Dave "Snaker" Ray, Tony "Little Sun" Glover, and "Spider" John Koerner. These musicians had even spent some time with Bob Dylan when he was in Minneapolis.

Modern Changes and Landmarks

In 1973, the Riverside Plaza apartment complex opened. It was designed by architect Ralph Rapson, who lived in Cedar-Riverside. These tall buildings with their colorful panels are a famous Minneapolis landmark. They were even shown as the home of Mary Richards in later seasons of The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Many older businesses slowly closed, making way for new shops.

The neighborhood's past still influences it today. Some businesses, like the Hard Times Café, keep the old spirit alive. The University of Minnesota Medical Center is also a major part of the area. It formed when Fairview and St. Mary's hospitals merged with the University of Minnesota Hospitals.

Where is Cedar-Riverside?

Cedar-Riverside is located in Minneapolis City Council Wards 2 and 6. These areas are represented by Robin Wonsley and Jamal Osman.

Important Places

The neighborhood is part of the University community. It is largely shaped by the West Bank campus of the University of Minnesota. This campus includes the Law School, the Carlson School of Management, and the West Bank Arts Quarter. The University's East and West Bank campuses are connected by the Washington Avenue Bridge.

Augsburg University, a private college, is also located in Cedar-Riverside.

Getting Around

You can easily get around Cedar-Riverside using public transport. The Blue and Green light rail lines serve the area. There are also two popular paths for bikes and walkers. These are the Hiawatha LRT Trail and Samatar Crossing. They connect the neighborhood to downtown and other areas.

Who Lives Here?

A Diverse Community

In the late 1800s, many Scandinavian immigrants lived in Cedar-Riverside. They often worked in the lumber and milling industries along the Mississippi River. Later, in the 1960s and 70s, it became a place for thinkers, hippies, and artists.

Today, Cedar-Riverside continues its tradition of being very diverse. It is home to the largest immigrant community in the Twin Cities. Many Somali people live here, which is why the neighborhood is sometimes called "Little Mogadishu."

Recent information shows that about 39% of the people living here were born in other countries. Most of these are from East Africa. About 54% of the population speaks a language other than English at home. Somali is the most common non-English language spoken.

The number of people living in Cedar-Riverside has grown steadily. It went from 6,368 people in 1990 to 9,000 in 2020.

Fun and Culture

Cedar-Riverside is one of the most diverse areas in Minneapolis. Many different languages are spoken here. It's a lively neighborhood with many restaurants, cafés, bars, and places for music and performances.

The neighborhood has a long history of welcoming immigrants. After World War II, people from Eastern Europe came. More recently, many Cambodian, Somali, and Latino immigrants have arrived. Hospitals in the area now offer services in many languages to help patients.

Arts and Music Scene

Cedar-Riverside has a strong arts culture. You can find many theaters here, like the Mixed Blood Theatre Company, Theatre in the Round, and The Southern Theater. There's also a lively music scene. Musicians often play at places like The Cedar Cultural Center, The Cabooze, and Palmer's Bar.

The West Bank music scene has helped many famous musicians get their start. These include Bonnie Raitt, Leo Kottke, and Butch Thompson. Even Bob Dylan spent some time around here. Many of these musicians also taught or performed at the West Bank School of Music.

KFAI community radio has been broadcasting from the Bailey building since 1991. They play a mix of community talk radio and music from all over the world. The presence of Augsburg University and the University of Minnesota's West Bank Arts Quarter also adds to the artistic feel of the area.

Community Events

Cedar-Riverside also hosts the yearly Zombie Pub Crawl. This event started in 2005 with about 100 people. By 2011, around 18,000 people dressed as zombies came to Cedar-Riverside for the crawl!

Cool Places to Visit

• The Cedar Cultural Center, known for "The World's Music, Here"
• The Electric Fetus record shop was located on Cedar Avenue for several years.
• Hard Times Café, a vegetarian restaurant owned by its workers.
• KFAI, a community radio station with "Radio Without Boundaries."
• Mayday Books, a bookstore that has been "Not Making a Profit Since 1975."
• Mixed Blood Theatre Company, known for being "Predictably Unpredictable."
• The People's Center, which offers "Care when you need it, not just when you can afford it."
• Radio K, a "Real College Radio" station.
• Riverside Plaza, the famous colorful apartment complex.
• The Southern Theater, a historic performance venue.

Images for kids

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  Samuelson's Confectionery in 1890

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  Original buildings on the east side of Cedar Avenue, with the vacant site of Dania Hall on the right.

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  Riverside Plaza and the Mixed Blood Theatre at sunset.

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  The University of Minnesota Medical Center.

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  Acadia Cafe in 2012.

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  Alleyway entrance to KFAI.