Signs Of The Farm Companies That Used To Be Here
June 23, 2022
Look closely and you can still see signs of how many plow, tractor and buggy companies were in this urban neighborhood more than 100 years ago.
As settlers were migrating north and west, the warehouses along the railroad tracks here helped get them the tools they needed to break the prairie soil.
For example, the building at 8th and Washington (above) which we now know for great restaurants Bar La Grassa and Snack Bar along with stylish offices was built for Deere and Webber, a division of the John Deere Company.
The side of the building we now know as the Hewing Hotel still has faded signs for Milwaukee Harvester and Van Brunt Seeders.
The building we now know as RiverWalk residences was a bustling warehouse for buggies, harnesses and wagons.
The diamonds on the exterior of Security Lofts were part of the logo of the company that built this building in 1902.
Look down at the entrance to Copham–or at the top of the building’s side and you can see historic signs for Parlin & Orrendorf Plows which built the building in 1910.
What we now know as Harvester Lofts was once the offices for Minneapolis Harvester Works, a division of International Harvester.
The back wall of Herschel Lofts facing the dog park has a faded sign for the Herschel-Roth Manufacturing Company.
You can find a lot more neighborhood history in our Historic North Loop section.
By Mike Binkley, North Loop volunteer