The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-05-13
MINNEAPOLIS As A
CITY OF HOMES.
Herbert E. Tucker Analyses the
Conditions Which Make
i Domesticity Here.

Writing in the Commercial West on
Minneapolis as q City of Homes
Herbert p. Tucker. manager Of Barnes
E'The reputation Of Minneapolis as q,
home city has long been recognized and
the inclination of its people in this re-
gard has been moro and more empha-
sized with each era Of it's progress.
Since. the reaction from the recent de-
preston (Which prevailed thruout the
entire country this sentiment has re-
ceived new impetus, for now the pre-
dominating thought with the head Of
| nearly every family is to be the owner
of his own .domicile.
'This feeling has been encouraged
by many agencies, the principal one at
present probably being the prosperous
condition Of the county generally, ac-
| centuated in Minneapolis by the alb
sence Of strikes and other economic dis
turbances which often retard business
in industrial centers. Here there is
employment for all at fair wages. This
stability in labor circles and q consid-
ployers has evolved mutual regard Of
interest which has proved a great slim
ulant to home buying.
tsAnother cause for this tendency is,
! that home buyers have come to realize
that realestate suitable for medium or
| lOW -QI1CGu% EuO1u0S rs CuGdp6T uUW- &Gudu
at any time since the city attained met
ropolitan proportions, Ca period Of more
than twenty years. and is lower now
in price than it will ever be again. Pres
emit figures for this class Of proper
ty are less than one-third the prices
whic hobtained during the Gloom pc
Rod, which then often made it prohibit
tive for one Of small means to buy a
home. Now such property is within the
| ~ o1 rnnSf While fhnoQ
conditions are fully appreciated by a
large majority, there are some who are
unacquainted with former or even pres
ent values who ask: DO you not think
it better to wait until property is cheap
er before buying9" They do not realize
that while property Of this class is ac-
tive at g price, there has not been any
panic Of 1898, except in a few chosen,
high-priced residence districts where
| values have something Of a sentimental
quality. They admit, however, that in
the business center well located prop
ETY. is really selling for higher prices
| than ever before. .-s a-
Mani ys the the f. Snv is sppmp srfbn int
fore the rise in values, which seems in
evitable as they arise from healthy and
legitimate causes, comes.
Another important factor in home
buying has been the modern idea Of
the easy payment. plan which is
fostered by some Of the larger real es.
tate dealers. The cash payment required
monthly payment equivalent to rent,
and with a low rate Of interest on de-
ferred payments. RI: . -: .~.>. H.,
Without doubt the sentiment in
favor Of home buying has been fur.
thered by the extension Of the older
electric lines, the recent building Of
new ones, and the projection Of others
In the near future, making available
much outlying property. In all direc-
seen scores of new structures, many per
haps, Of modest design, but forefun-
ners of better ones, many Of preten-
tious outlines, or partly modern.
"Another cause for the remarkable
increase in sales in the 'home' class
Of real estate for the last few years has
been the large influx Of those who have
been, successful In agricultural and COM
merclal pursuits in the broad territory
tributary to Minneapolis. Among them
are retired farmers and business men
who have always been owners of their
own homes, and. who come to Minneap-
oils with the purpose of quietly enjoy
ing the fruits of their former labors.
But, while some settle in this estate,
there are more whose youth or inherent
activity is 50 dominant or who inspired
by the spirit Of progress manifested
here, that they again exert their ambi-
lions and energies in directions helpful
in home buying and many other depart
ments of the city welfare.
Aside from other considerations an
influence I which has been silently active
velopment has been the strong domestic.
ity Of Minneapolis people which is un-
like the shifting populations of many
other cities. The people who come to
Minneapolis are Of a more stable fiber,
which may be attributed to the fact
that the growth Of the city has not been
wholly in the direction of material well
fare. a superior class of people in all
walks Of life are Influenced in making
this city. their home by the attractions
| of healthy social and political atmos-
phere, assisted by a broad religious toll
erance and an efficient system of edu-
cation in the public schools and state
university" ..,.s*a-, IS =