Fourth St. at Spring/Washington Sts.

Standing at the corner of Fourth and Washington is the Wesley Building.  This is a multi-family apartment done in the Prairie School style.  Note the use of stained glass, wood, stucco, and the details such as  at the entry.  This structure is in poor condition.  How can you tell?

Across the street is Washington Park.  This land was at one time (until 1906) the railroad yards for the Omaha Railroad.  When the tracks moved closer to the river, the city made it a park. Washington park was once the site of the Omaha Railroad's rail yard. The city of Mankato has 32 parks, another of those parks is Sibley Park.

In the late 1950�s, Gus Johnson Plaza and the Downtowner Apartments (one block away) were the local hospitals.  Later, they merged.

Walk South on Fourth Street.

At the Corner of Main Street and Fourth is Grace Lutheran Church.  Look at the mosaic at the end of the Sanctuary.  Note this is made up of very tiny tile pieced together.  Acknowledgements are in the lower right corner.  The firm that made this is in Venice, Italy, and has been since the 14^th Century.

Continue along Fourth Street to the Court House.  Look up.  Observe closely.  Is
there a symbolism connected to the building? 

Just a few more blocks, and you will be where you began.  Thanks for taking the tour and learning about the City of Mankato!

North Riverfront Drive and Spring St.

On the corner of Spring and North Second Streets is Immanuel Lutheran Church.  This structure was burned to the ground in the 1971 when it was struck by  Lightening, and all but the walls were destroyed.  The building was redone in a very modern but traditional way.  Do you like the spires on the top, or do they seem awkward to you? 

One of the largest tragedies as a result of fire was the loss of some of the finest German stained glass windows in Southern Minnesota.  The windows are an uncommon technique described below.

From Spring Street, cross North Second, then go to Fourth St. and turn right.

Old Town (Riverfront to Plum Sts.)

This area has some of the best �turn of the century� commercial and industrial architecture left in Mankato.  Because this area was not destroyed during Urban Renewal, today we can see what Mankato used to look like.

324 Riverfront Drive, Hubbard Mills (now Cargill Mills) is the key ingredient to this neighborhood.   At one time powered by steam (now electricity), the machinery inside is essentially the same as when it was installed in 1908. 

The large silos are state of the art, slip form, concrete, storage structures built in 1996.  This building shows the strong influence of agri-business on the Mankato area.  Imagine what these would look like illuminated coming into Mankato on Highway 169 at night. 

At the base of the silos, notice the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Medical Insurance Building.  This was once the American State Bank.  Note how the materials (brick and limestone) coupled with form, arches, cornices have been incorporated into these two structures to help to blend in with the rest of Old Town.

As you walk along Riverfront, look at the forms of the buildings--  the ornate columns and piers, the cast  iron that was made locally. 

Look at 411 North Riverfront Drive.  The cornices are stamped sheet metal.  They are made through mass production techniques, and they are simply assembled on a wooden armature and suspended from the building. 

Thinking about the �stability� these buildings portray, what do you think it says about those who built them? 

Turn the corner at Spring Street to:

Downtown to Old Town

Now, look at the Embers.  It is a classic example of the �road rash� that can happen when planners and decision makers do not establish design standards for a community.

Look to your right.  Notice here the impact of the bluffs as landmarks that define the community and how they essentially serve as a �frame� for the city.  Notice the trees, imagine what they must look like during the fall.  Or do you remember?

Look at how St. Peter and Paul Church announces itself to all who enter the city as it towers majestically above.

Can you find the armory building?  What is the message that you receive?

Now find the Blue Earth County Court House.  What does that say to you?

Downtown to North Mankato.

How do you feel under the bridge?  What does it  inspire in you?  Does it make you want to walk more, or is it intimidating to pedestrians? 

Look at the changes in the Bridge over time.  The first photo is the original crossing.  The second photo is the bridge built in 1880 which had a pivoting section to allow barges to come through.  The last photo is how the bridge span looks today.  Is there an style you like more than the others?  Why?

Riverfront Drive � Memorial Park

It is linked to December 26, 1862.  On this cold day, Mankato became an infamous part of the constant struggles between the Native American population and the United States government.  Thirty-eight Dakota were hung at the site of the Buffalo.  It was the  largest mass execution ever recorded in U.S. history.

What do you think this meant for the Dakota people?  Do you know for years afterward they were afraid to drive through Mankato except at night?

Today, Mankato hosts a large traditional Wacipi Pow Wow, (meaning �to dance�) one weekend annually.  It is an attempt to bring all nations back together again.  

What significance does this park have for Mankato?  For Minnesota?  For the Nation?

Is this a place where you feel safe? 

Look at the bridge that connects Mankato to North Mankato.

In honor of Amos Owen, Norman
Crooks, and Hereditary Chief Ernest
Wabasha for their lasting efforts toward 
reconciliation among all peoples.

Grandfather, I come to you this day in
my humble way to offer my prayers for
the thirty-eight Dakota who perished in
Mankato in the year of 1862.

To the West, I pray to the Horse
Nation, and to the North, I pray to the
Elk People.

To the East, I pray to the Buffalo
Nation, and to the South, the Spirit
People. 

To the Heavens, I pray to the Great
Spirit and to the Spotted Eagle.  

And Below, I pray to Mother Earth to
help us in this time of reconciliation. 

Grandfather, I offer these prayers in my
humble way.

To all my relations.
-Amos Owen,Prayer in �Water in the Rain

Main and Riverfront Dr. � Old Towne

Walk into the Library lobby.  Do you notice the lack of walls?  In the middle of the lobby entrance is a waterfall over rocks.  These rocks, �glacial erratics� were carried by the ice ages and deposited here.  They are now used for �white noise�, to overcome any background coughing, sneezing, or laughing that would normally make walls necessary.  Imagine what a sky light over the water fountain would have done! 

Notice the Maud Heart Love Lace reading room to your left.  Do you know who she is?  She wrote a series of children�s books (known as the Betsy-Tacy Stories) about growing up in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. 

Walk out through the north doors, and see an example of planners attempting to show cities that they care about pedestrians.  But do they?

This landscape design project cost somewhere between $75,000 � $100,000 to insert the concrete and vegetation. Is it worth it?  Do you see people out frolicking in the garden?  Or are you the only ones there?  Would you want to be here to read or study?  Think about the bridge� the highway� the noise� the lack of privacy�  Now, again would you want to read or study here?

Exit the library on the opposite side and look to the right.  Across Riverfront Drive, you will seeMemorial Park?

What do you think it is?

Who do you think it is for?