John Harrington Stevens House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John Harrington Stevens House
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U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
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Stevens' house, now located in Minnehaha Park
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1849 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Minnehaha Historic District (ID69000369) |
| Designated CP | November 25, 1969 |
The John Harrington Stevens House is a really old and important house in Minnesota, USA. It's named after John H. Stevens. This house was the very first one allowed on the west side of the Mississippi River. That area later became the city of Minneapolis. It's the second oldest wooden house still standing in Minneapolis. The house is part of the Minnehaha Historic District. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board takes care of it. Sadly, the house was badly damaged by fires in 2022.
Contents
A Home with History
Building the First House
The Stevens house was built in 1850. It was located near Saint Anthony Falls. The same builder who made the Ard Godfrey house also built this one.
John Stevens got special permission to build his home. This land was controlled by Fort Snelling. In return, Stevens had to run a ferry service across the river. Because of this, his home was sometimes called the "ferry farm."
John and his wife, Frances Helen, were the only white settlers nearby. However, Native people were often seen in the area.
The "Birthplace of Minneapolis"
In 1855, Stevens officially claimed 160 acres of land. This land was along the west bank of the river. The Stevens home quickly became a busy place. It was a center for community meetings and social events. People even called it the "birthplace of Minneapolis."
Many important decisions happened in this house. The name Minneapolis was chosen here. Hennepin County was organized. The Minneapolis school district was also started. Even the idea for a state fair began in the Stevens home.
When Stevens sold his house in the early 1860s, the area quickly filled with new buildings.
Moving the House
A Journey Through Time
The Stevens House has moved several times! In 1872, it was moved to a new spot. Then, in 1881, it moved again.
In 1896, people realized how important this house was. Thousands of school kids helped move it to Minnehaha Park. They worked in groups, along with ten horses, to pull the house. It was a huge effort!
In 1982, the house was moved one last time. It now sits in its current spot within Minnehaha Park.
A Historic Landmark
The Stevens home is part of the Minnehaha Historic District. This district was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. For many years, the house was a museum. Visitors could take tours on summer weekends.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board is in charge of the house. In 2022, a local newspaper reported that the house needed repairs. Plans were being made to fix it up.
Fires Damage the House
Sadly, the house was damaged by three fires in 2022. A fire on August 30 badly hurt the back of the building. But experts believed it could still be rebuilt.
Another fire happened on September 20. This one affected part of the outside of the house. Work to fix the house had just started. Then, on October 1, another suspicious fire broke out. This fire burned parts of the first and second floors, and even some of the roof.
Gallery
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John H. Stevens statue, located at Minnehaha Park
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A very old photo of the house from 1855
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A plaque showing where Stevens' house used to be
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The Stevens house being moved in 1896 by school kids
