John Harrington Stevens House
The John Harrington Stevens House is a historic structure in the U.S. state of Minnesota. Named for John H. Stevens, it was the first authorized house on the west bank of the Mississippi River in what would become Minneapolis. The house is the second oldest remaining wood frame house in Minneapolis (the Ard Godfrey house is older). The house is part of the Minnehaha Historic District and managed by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. The structure was heavily damaged by three acts of arson in 2022.
John Harrington Stevens House | |
 Stevens' house, now located in Minnehaha Park | |
   | |
| Location | Minneapolis, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 44°54′50″N 93°12′35″W |
| Built | 1849 |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Part of | Minnehaha Historic District (ID69000369) |
| Designated CP | November 25, 1969[1] |
History
"Birthplace of Minneapolis"
The house was built in 1850 at Saint Anthony Falls by John H. Stevens on the site where the Minneapolis Post Office now sits. He was granted permission to build his house on land controlled by Fort Snelling in exchange for providing ferry service across the river, accounting for the nickname "ferry farm." In the subsequent five years, the home became a hub of civic and social activity, and was dubbed the "birthplace of Minneapolis." Both Hennepin County and Minneapolis were organized in Stevens' home. He and his wife, Frances Helen, had no white neighbors, but Native people were often seen nearby.
Preservation
The Stevens House was moved several times, finally to Minnehaha Park in south Minneapolis in 1896. The home is part of the Minnehaha Historic District, which was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. The house was a museum, with tours available on summer weekends.[2]
The house was placed ender the jurisdiction of the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. In 2022, the Star Tribune reported on its deteriorating condition with repairs tentatively planned for the future.[3]
Arson
The house was damaged by three arson attacks in 2022.[4] A fire on August 30 heavily damaged the building's back side, but preservationists determined it could be rebuilt. A fire on September 20 affected part of the exterior. Initial work on the renovation was underway when another suspicious fire on October 1 burned the first and second floors and part of the roof.[5][6][7]
Gallery
John H. Stevens statue, located at Minnehaha Park
Daguerreotype of house in 1855
Plaque showing early locations of Stevens' house
References
- "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
- Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 0-87351-448-3.
- Roper, Eric (July 8, 2022). "Why has the Park Board allowed the 'birthplace of Minneapolis' to deteriorate?". Star Tribune. Retrieved 5 August 2022.
- Walsh, Paul (October 14, 2022). "Park Board says all 3 fires at the historic Stevens House are arsons; reward being offered". Star Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- Harlow, Tim (2022-08-30). "Fire damages historic John H. Stevens house in Minneapolis' Minnehaha Park". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-08-30.
- Jackson, Kyeland (2022-10-01). "For third time since August, fire scars historic Stevens House in Minneapolis". Star Tribune. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
- Nelson, Tim; King, Samuel (2022-10-01). "Fire damages historic Stevens House in Minneapolis — again". Star Tribune. pp. Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved 2022-10-01.
