Longfellow, Minneapolis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Longfellow
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Community
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Location of Longfellow within the U.S. city of Minneapolis
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| Country | United States |
| State | Minnesota |
| County | Hennepin |
| City | Minneapolis |
| Named for | The Song of Hiawatha |
| City Council Wards | 2, 6, 12 |
| Neighborhoods | |
| Area | |
| • Total | 4.962 sq mi (12.85 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 29,295 |
| • Density | 5,903.9/sq mi (2,279.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
55404, 55406, 55417
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| Area code(s) | 612 |
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1980 | 28,675 | — | |
| 1990 | 28,618 | −0.2% | |
| 2000 | 27,776 | −2.9% | |
| 2010 | 27,775 | 0.0% | |
| 2020 | 29,295 | 5.5% | |
Longfellow, also called Greater Longfellow, is a large community in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It includes five smaller neighborhoods: Seward, Cooper, Hiawatha, Howe, and Longfellow. This area has old industrial buildings, huge parks around the famous Minnehaha Falls, and quiet homes.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
Minneapolis started adding land south of Franklin Avenue in the 1880s. The last part of Longfellow joined the city in 1887. Most of the homes in Longfellow were built between 1906 and the 1920s. This was when streetcars and trains made it easy to get around.
Ready-to-assemble homes, like those from Sears Catalog Homes, also became popular. These homes made it easier for many immigrant families to own a house. Many early homeowners were from Scandinavia. They were often first or second-generation immigrants. Even by 1930, this southern area was a big hub for new families.
How Longfellow Got Its Name
The Longfellow community is named after the Longfellow neighborhood. That neighborhood got its name from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. He was a famous American poet.
Longfellow wrote a poem called The Song of Hiawatha. In his poem, he used stories from the native Dakota people of Minnesota. These stories were collected by Henry Schoolcraft. The poem mentions Minnehaha Falls, which is in the southern part of Longfellow. The nearby Hiawatha Avenue also helped with the naming. This avenue is a main road that goes north to Downtown Minneapolis. It also goes south to the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Airport.
Longfellow's poem made many people interested in Minnehaha Falls. So, his name became linked to the area. The poet's name became even more important when the Longfellow House was built in 1906. A local businessman, Robert Fremont "Fish" Jones, had it built. It was a 2/3 size copy of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's real home in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
The house was part of the Longfellow Zoological Gardens, which Jones managed. After Jones passed away in 1934, the house was given to the city. For a short time, it was a public library. In 1994, the Park Board moved and fixed it up. Now, it's a center that shares information about the Minneapolis Park System.
In May 2020, the community faced challenges. Many local businesses and the police station were damaged.
Where Longfellow Is Located
Longfellow is in South Minneapolis. It is next to the Mississippi River on its east side. To the west, it borders Hiawatha Avenue and the Metro Blue Line. Interstate 94 forms its northern border.
Most of Longfellow is in Ward 12. This ward is represented by city council member Aurin Chowdhury. The Seward neighborhood is split between Ward 2 and Ward 6. These wards are represented by Robin Wonsley and Jamal Osman. Most of Greater Longfellow is represented by the Longfellow Community Council.
Longfellow is home to several important places. These include the Danish American Center, Minnehaha Academy, Christ Church, and the Longfellow House. The area is known for its bungalow-style Craftsman homes built in the 1920s. It also has unique houses designed by famous architects. Minnehaha Falls is a national attraction. It is a very important cultural spot in the Twin Cities.
The main business area runs along East 42nd Avenue. The northern edge has the Midtown Greenway trail. The East Lake business district is also vibrant. It has many restaurants. The western border used to be a big center for farming and factories. These were served by the Northern Pacific Railway. Now, the old grain silos and factories are being replaced. New homes and apartment buildings are being built. A new greenway will connect Minnehaha Falls and the Midtown Greenway. This area also has the Minnehaha Mile. It is a street with many antique, vintage, and secondhand shops. It has more of these shops than any other street in Minnesota.
Fun Things to See and Do
- Cheatham Avenue is named after John Cheatham. He was one of the first Black firefighters in Minneapolis.
- The Hiawatha Avenue Mural is on the Harvest States grain elevator. Artist Sara Rotholz Weiner designed it. It was finished in 1990. It is a key feature of the neighborhood.
- Lock and Dam No. 1 is at the southern edge of the neighborhood. You can watch boats go through the lock here. You can also learn about river transportation.
- The Min Hi Line is a planned park and pathway. It will follow an old rail line. Two small projects were finished in 2018 and 2019. Many new homes and businesses are being built along this path.
- Minnehaha Park is a historic city park. It is on the shores of the Mississippi River. It has picnic areas, trails, and sculptures. The 53-foot falls are a main attraction. There is also an old snack shack in the Minnehaha Pavilion.
- Minnehaha Recording Company is a music studio. It is built inside an old 1939 Phillips 66 Gas Station. It opened in 2014. Many artists have recorded music here.
- The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area has trails for biking and hiking along the river. You can find sandy beaches and great viewing spots. The 5-mile Winchell Trail offers a rustic hiking experience.
- The Purple Rain house of "The Kid" is on Snelling Avenue. It was used for outside scenes in the movie. Prince bought the house before he passed away. It is now a popular spot for fans of the movie.
- The Metro Blue Line train serves Longfellow. It runs along the western border of the community.
- Minnehaha Mile has nine antique, vintage, and secondhand shops. This is more than any other commercial area in Minnesota.
- East Lake Street is a business area. It has many restaurants serving food from all over the world. It also has unique shops.
Well-Known People from Longfellow
- Eric Dregni, Writer
- Jonathan Goldstein, Author and Podcaster
- Brynn Arens, Singer/songwriter
Neighborhoods in Longfellow
