The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-04-26
CELEBRATE CITY'S
SEMI.CE CENTENNIAL
PIONEERS WILL DISCUSS PLANS
FOR CONFEDERATION.
Some Ceremony Will Be Planned for
June /, and It May Include Removal
Of the Old Godfrey House to a
Permanent Location-Sch Children
May Take Important Part.

st. Anthony was incorporated and
held its first election just fifty years
ago, and there is a strong sentiment in
favor of some public observance of the
semicentennial. While Minneapolis and
st. Anthony were not joined until 1873,
municipal history Of the present city
began in st. Anthony in 1855, even tho
the communities on opposite sides Of the
river were separate municipalities for
several years. June i is suggested as
a desirable date.
A preliminary meeting for the or
ganization Of the pioneers of Hennepln
county and discussion Of the matter of
mi-centennial celebration will be held
in the mayor reception-rooom at the
city hall next Monday at 2 pm. Ed
win Clark, who has devoted much Of his
later life to the organization OF the
Minnesota Territorial Pioneers associa-
tion, the preservation Of records and
relics and history of the old days, is the
principal worker in the movement, but
will undoubtedly have the support OF
citizens Of all classes. Mayor D. P.
Jones. whose father voted at the first
has has promised to cooperate with
M. Clark and his associates
in every way possible. Among
others associated are Caleb Dorr, the
first lumberman on the upper Missis-
sippi, Frank G.. O 'Brien, who has writ
ten a book on the early days, J. E. Bell
and others of the old timers.
The celebration can be made as elab-
crate as the funds will permit It can
include parade, with bands, military
monies, or it can be limited to great
meeting with addresses by well-known
speakers. Thru M. w. Savage the use
of the International auditorium has
been secured at any time it may be
needed for the celebration.
Removal Of Godfrey House.
Mr.. Clark is particularly interested
in the preservation of the Ard Godfrey
house, now standing at 100 Prince
of l848 from the first lumber sawn
from the first logs cut by Caleb Dorr
The old R. P. Russell house was sup
posed to be the first house in ST.. An
thony, but as a matter of fact three
houses were put up at the same time
and Mr.. Clark says that there is a
question if Mr.. Godfrey did not ,oc
cupy his house, altho his family hao
not arrived, before Mr.. and Mrs. R
At any rate the Godfrey house is the
oldest now standing within the limit:
| of Minneapolis and has a historical
value as it gave birth to Free Masonry
here and played other important roles.
: Mr.. Clark's idea is to have the God
frey house removed to the Richarc
Chute square, where it would be in E
central location and in an appropriate
place, but some objection has beer
raised on account Of the diminutive
size of the park and the necessity. fol
obtaining as much space as possible
The city owns four lots on Prince
. street adjoining the French Catholic
church Of Notre Dame DIES Lourdes
which would be an excellent place fol
the old house. r. It has also been sug
gested that Cataract lodge, which hac
| it's birth in the Godfrey house, nigh
set apart bit of it's land fronting tn
square for the preservation Of thu
| house. . En-. ~ = :. -,-4
The Godfrey house can be secured fol
5000 and this is considered low pric,
as the owner is getting $1S month il
rental and has recently spent some
money in making repairs. -
| It might be a part of the celebration
of June l to have the school children
Of the East Side haul the old house tt
it's final resting place, as was done will
the old Stevens house when it wa
taken to Minnehaha park some year.
ago. These plans are merely sugges
tions and before anything is dom
money will be needed. It may be &C
copied that the plans will succeed. a
Mr.. Clark is an energetic worker
which he showed when he started AM
q carried out the movement for the hi,
log cabin on the state fair grounds.