The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1888-12-28
Nearly 100000 in Public and
Private improvements dur
ing 1888.
The Building Record Keeps
Pace with that of Former
Years and illustrates
the Firmness Of the
City's Foundation.
A List of New Buildings and
improvements, with Some
Remarks about Real
Estate.
The Outlook for Next Year
Very Flattering.

The Outlook for Next Year
Very Flattering.
The past year has been a fairly active
one in Mankato realty and in the build
ing operations of the city. The many
circumstances that combined to tempo
rarily check the.prosperity that has IA
vored the Northwest for the past few
years caused the spring to promise but a
poor year for this city. Until work was
begun on the foundation of the new ho-
tel there were many to predict an entire
suspension of progress in the city for the
year. But the result shows that these
pessimistic views were i'll founded, as
will be seen by the price of real estate
TODAY and by glancing at the substantial
list of building improvements. To be
sure, there has been no rapid advance
in real estate, no boom which is very in
teresting while it lasts, but which. leaves
its train of disorders from which it may
take years to recover. The advance in
prices has been gradual, but.it has been
sure. Next year and every year hereaf-
ter will see the same steady rise In
prices, for this initiation but keeps pace
with the national advancement of the
city. Urban or inside property is hard
to buy, for the owners consider it a good
investment. There have been several
important transfers, but with the object
OF permanent improvement, not for
speculation. While the advance has
been general throughout the city, there
are localities where the rise has been
more marked. In regard to. business
property this rise is most noticeable for
the distance of few blocks either side
of the new Saulpaugh. house. But there
is belief among our monIed men that
the nextsyear or two will witness a re-
turn to favor of property further south,
and several desirable pieces have been
picked up at reasonable prices under
this belief. Throughout the residence
portion of the city the trend of prices to-
ward higher plane has been equal, and
averages about fifteen per cent. for the
year. Suburban property has been fair
ly active, most of the small purchasers
buying to build homes of their own.
The real estate agents and many others
are looking to next season with much
confidence. With an increased amount
of building it is expected that real estate
will tend rapidly upward. The fact that
our shrewdest citizens are picking up
property throughout the city proves
that there can be no safer investment
than Mankato real estate.
The building of the:year has been con-
fined largely to residences, over one
hundred having been erected. The
larger portion of these have been erect
ed in the outer parts of the city, where
lots are cheap. They were mostly built
by men of small circumstances, and for
their own habitations. But little build
ing was done on those streets which So
ciety points to as most fashionable. Few
stores have been erected, outside of the
Saulpaugh block. But Notwithstanding
what has just been said, the building OPP
erations of the year are more discerna-
BILE and attract more attention from visi-
tors than those of any previous year.
The new Saulpaugh house, the fine
courthouse, the Baptist church, the
Tourtellotte hospital, etc., can be point
ed to with pride as few of the buildings
erected this year. Many of the manu-
featuring establishments located in the
city have expended large amounts in in
creasing their facilities or capacity.
The building outlook for next year is
excellent. The revival of business ac-
tivity and of general prosperity which Is
already felt will make it necessary that
several large business blocks be erected
There is still demand for good houses
to rent. To meet these demands num-
Der of buildings have already been
projected. Among these the four
story block which the Young Mems In
vestment company has already begun
will be one of the finest. Several three
story business houses have been planned
for erection, and several of the present
stores are to have an extra story or two
added. There are also several fine resi-
dences planned. as well as numerous
Esnaller ones. Altogether, the outlook
for 1889 is one of much promise, and il
all signs do not fail, the coming season
will be one of unprecedented activity in
building circles.
| This was the off year for public i'm
lprovements. The large amounts ex.
pended last season made it wise policy
to retrench this year. The Front street
Isewer was completed, the new city res.
ervoir completed and connected with
the city mains, several streets graded
and several miles of sidewalk laid. The
street grading and new sidewalks are
the most noticeable works which can be
classed under the head of public i'm.
provenents this year. The grading OIL
the slough road and of the streets ada.
cent to Pleasant street, and around the
/. Saulpaugh house, and opposite to the
Minnesota river bridge, are the mos,
important. Sidewalks were ordered
throughout the settled portion of the
! city. Next year the work of extendins
|, l the sewer system and water works will
be resumed, and it is expected that |
new water supply will be secured. More
streets are TO be graded, and new side
lwalks laid. The city work will furnish