MacDonald–Todd House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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MacDonald-Todd House
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The MacDonald-Todd House from the north
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 309 Seventh Street West, Hastings, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1866 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001230 |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1979 |
The MacDonald–Todd House is a historic home built in 1857. You can find it in Hastings, a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. This house is special because it's built in the Greek Revival style, which was popular a long time ago.
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The MacDonald-Todd House: A Historic Home
Building a Dream Home
The MacDonald-Todd House was first built by a man named A.W. MacDonald in 1857. He had just moved to Dakota County from New York. MacDonald built his home in a unique place called Nininger. This was a "utopian town," meaning it was planned to be a perfect community.
MacDonald moved to Nininger to work as the managing editor for a newspaper. This paper was called the Emigrant Aid Journal. The newspaper and the town of Nininger were both started by Ignatius Donnelly. He was an important person in Minnesota, serving as the Lieutenant Governor. A Lieutenant Governor is like a vice-president for a state.
A House on the Move
The MacDonald-Todd House didn't stay in Nininger forever. In 1866, a man named Irving Todd bought the house for $385. That was a lot of money back then! Todd decided to move the entire house.
Imagine moving a whole house! They moved it across the frozen Mississippi River during winter. This amazing journey brought the house to its current spot in Hastings. It's incredible to think about how they managed to do that without modern tools.
What is Greek Revival Style?
The MacDonald-Todd House is a great example of the Greek Revival architectural style. This style was very popular in the United States in the 1800s. It was inspired by the ancient temples of Greece.
Homes built in this style often have features like tall columns. They might also have a grand entrance that looks like a temple front. The MacDonald-Todd House shows off some of these classic Greek-inspired details.
A Protected Piece of History
Because of its unique history and architectural style, the MacDonald-Todd House is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places on December 31, 1979. This means it's recognized as a significant historical building. It helps us remember what life was like in early Minnesota.
