Columbia Park Neighborhood Association

PEEK AT A PARK’S PAST, COLUMBIA PARK

Feb 16, 2004

The following is from the 2003 Summer Solstice Issue of The M.P.L.S. Mirror, a quarterly publication from the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society: Columbia Park was named because of its acquisition in 1892, the Columbian Year, and also for its proximity to Columbia Heights. The first 183 acres were purchased for $208,376. To insure immediate improvement of the park, the former owners donated $20,000 to be spent only for that purpose during 1893. Eighteen acres were also added in 1893. When the property was purchased, Sandy Lake was a shallow water area of 40 acres. It is now the site of a large meadow. By winter 1893-94, the lake had a warming house and was used for ice skating. Later, sledding and tobogganing were common activities. Charles Loring encouraged concerts, so in 1894, the Northeast Brass Band was given permission to erect a bandstand in the park. Superintendent William Berry accomplished road construction at Columbia by 1905. The commercial clubs of Southeast and Northeast Minneapolis staged a gala parade and dedication exercises at Columbia Park, marking the formal opening of Saint Anthony Boulevard on September 25, 1924. Columbia Park had a six hole golf course installed in 1919, with a fee of 5 cents. The theory of operating municipal golf courses was that they would pay for themselves. Popularity of golfing increased and 44,591 rounds of golf were played at Columbia in 1921. Golf fees were increased to 15 cents, so by 1923, no holes could be added. The golf course was entirely self-sustaining; annual receipts exceeded costs for maintenance and operation by several thousand dollars. The Park Board decided the time had come for a clubhouse. Minneapolis Architects Magney and Tusler had designed the Chalet at Glenwood, and designed the colonial structure for Columbia, also. There was an apartment inside the new clubhouse, where long serving manager Louis Johnston lived. The Columbia Club House opened in August, 1925, as a year-round public golf house and location for community gatherings. Building costs were approximately $87,000, and the golf course and the buildings were mostly paid from the golf fees. The Board formally charged the name of the building to The Manor in 1933. In 1935, with help from the NRA and the WPA, the course was converted from sand greens to grass greens, and complete "hoseless" sprinkling systems were installed to help compete with semi-public courses. Municipal golf courses in the parks brought golf within reach of all people, and the benefits are demonstrated by their continued popularity. Use of the Manor as a location for weddings, parties, dances and banquets generates additional revenue while serving the community.