2655 Oliver Ave. N.
2610 Newton Ave. N.Contributed photos, xoxo, blog post by John Hoff
Though it's sad to see old houses torn down, some of these structures that stood for one hundred years, many or even most of the houses being demolished in North Minneapolis are the worst of the worst. This was undoubtedly true of 2610 Newton Ave. N. It may not have been so true of 2655 Oliver Ave. N. but, well, that one is gone, too.
Both of these houses have been featured here, previously, on Johnny Northside Dot Com. In the case of...
...2655 Oliver Ave. N., this structure featured a scary little garage which kinda sort LOOKED like it might be occupied by squatters, but apparently never was, click here. This house was empty for a number of years and often featured litter in the yard from hookers and other no-accounts who frequented that corner. The house was sometimes tagged with the name of a particular gang which this blog will refrain from mentioning by name. But now I guess the gang will have to purchase flower seeds to spell out their identity on the vacant lot.
In the case of 2610 Newton Ave. N., this house has been tracked closely on this blog.
1. The house burned up, click here for article.
2. A closer look at the damage, click here.
3. Half a year after the house burns to a crisp, eviction paperwork hits the exterior. Better late than never, click here.
4. In February of this year, nobody is clearing the sidewalk. Surprise, surprise and CLICK HERE.
So now this blog post documents the demolition of the house. Considering the house stood for so long as an ugly, burned out shell, its demolition definitely represents progress.
Yet how much of this "progress" can our neighborhood take before there is no neighborhood left?
Clearly, North Minneapolis needs certain structures demolished; first and foremost the ones burned to a crisp. But what we need much worse are home owners willing to pour resources into saving and renovating these houses.
Blogging From Wisconsin Dells
Though it's sad to see old houses torn down, some of these structures that stood for one hundred years, many or even most of the houses being demolished in North Minneapolis are the worst of the worst. This was undoubtedly true of 2610 Newton Ave. N. It may not have been so true of 2655 Oliver Ave. N. but, well, that one is gone, too.
Both of these houses have been featured here, previously, on Johnny Northside Dot Com. In the case of...
...2655 Oliver Ave. N., this structure featured a scary little garage which kinda sort LOOKED like it might be occupied by squatters, but apparently never was, click here. This house was empty for a number of years and often featured litter in the yard from hookers and other no-accounts who frequented that corner. The house was sometimes tagged with the name of a particular gang which this blog will refrain from mentioning by name. But now I guess the gang will have to purchase flower seeds to spell out their identity on the vacant lot.
In the case of 2610 Newton Ave. N., this house has been tracked closely on this blog.
1. The house burned up, click here for article.
2. A closer look at the damage, click here.
3. Half a year after the house burns to a crisp, eviction paperwork hits the exterior. Better late than never, click here.
4. In February of this year, nobody is clearing the sidewalk. Surprise, surprise and CLICK HERE.
So now this blog post documents the demolition of the house. Considering the house stood for so long as an ugly, burned out shell, its demolition definitely represents progress.
Yet how much of this "progress" can our neighborhood take before there is no neighborhood left?
Clearly, North Minneapolis needs certain structures demolished; first and foremost the ones burned to a crisp. But what we need much worse are home owners willing to pour resources into saving and renovating these houses.
Blogging From Wisconsin Dells
I lived in 2655 Oliver Avenue North from 1970-1976. The house was beautiful and I can still recall the floor plan, the uniqueness of each room including leaded glass windows, a dual staircase, a solid-wood swinging kitchen door, a French door to the sleeping porch, and a white picket fence. The neighborhood was peppered with working class families like the Ericksons, Watermans, Zollers, Johnsons and Carlsons. There were many friends to be had, and streets to explore. Those streets hold some of the memories I most prize. The house may not have been grand like those found on Summit in St. Paul, but it was grand to my family. My childhood photos were destroyed in a fire, so the only photo I have of my home is from around 2005, boarded and no longer in its glory. I was truly torn when I discovered the house had been demolished because even boarded, it did not appear to be beyond repair. I had dreamed of returning to Minnesota one day to reclaim the home, much in the same way that Monica Potter did upon her return from Hollywood to Cleveland. I am sad for the loss of my childhood home, as well as my Grandparent's home at 2508 Emerson Ave N, my first childhood home at 2510 Emerson Avenue N. All for progress ... and I wonder if it's the same progress that took my Great Grandparent's house on Buchanan in the Italian neighborhood in NE Minneapolis sometime before 1970, which still stands as a vacant lot today. Progress through preservation sews our history with our future. It is the way to go, and someone has to stop this insanity! I am one of the Smith girls.
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