Can Historical Home Research In Minneapolis Really Be THIS Easy?

Photo By John Hoff

In a previous blog post, I wrote about how easy it was to find "original building permits" by using a computer in the same office where building permits are granted, and the wealth of fascinating factual nuggets which can be obtained that way. Here's another cool trick I learned while doing a bit of paid historical research for Realtor Connie Nompelis (No-buhl-iss, it's Greek) on some cool old houses in NoMi, including her $7,900 house...

There is a guy named Ian Stade who works in the Special Collections of our city's public library system, and if you send Ian an email and say, "Ian, can I get the Original Building Card for such-and-such address in PDF form" in a short while Ian will send you a helpful email, with attachments. These cards contain different info than the "original building permits," like who put plumbing into the house in 1907.

I hope Ian doesn't kill me for this. This historical information is so valuable, so enlightening, and does so much to make people feel a part of the tapestry of their communities. And it's so easy to get if you just know where to ask.

Ian's email is ICStade@hclib.org

Ian, you're doing a great job. Tell your boss I said you deserve a raise.