In the shadow of downtown, just south of the Minneapolis Convention Center on 3rd Avenue South (also known as Avenue of the Arts) is Washburn Fair Oaks Park and Historic District. Development began in this area in the 1870s, as prominent businessmen moved away from the central business district and built mansions at what was then the edge of the city.
The largest and grandest was the Fair Oaks mansion of William Washburn, a lawyer who amassed a fortune through his family's flour mill. Built in 1883, the extensive grounds included an artificial stream leading to a pond, a rustic footbridge, a greenhouse, and a carriage house. He lived there until his death in 1912, when he willed the property to the Minneapolis park board. They found it too costly to maintain and it was demolished in 1924 to make way for the pastoral park which still remains at the heart of this historic district.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts was built on the south side of the square in 1915, and that campus has expanded to now include not only a growing art museum but also the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Company and Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD). The original facade facing the park is rarely used any more as the main entrance has moved to 3rd Avenue.
The north side of the park is lined with mansions, most now used as business or event centers. A mansion on the east side is now the Hennepin County Museum.
The neighborhood streets within the area extend to include some beautiful private residences such as the Victorian painted lady below...
...but the area also includes some homes in very poor condition. The diverse Whittier neighborhood is about 90% rental, including more inhabitants living in poverty than in most other parts of Minneapolis, although that has been slowly changing.
The American Swedish Institute, St. Mary's University and the well-known Wedge Co-op all are located in the Whittier neighborhood.
There are currently 19 homes for sale in Whittier neighborhood, ranging in price from $62,500 for a 1-bedroom condo to $674,500 for a magnificent 6 bedroom/7 bath turn of the century historic house. All but the two highest priced properties are condos.
