Read any good books lately? The University of Minnesota Press is a good place to look. Here’s our monthly recommendation and giveaway for the business community.
Once upon a time, the Twin Cities boasted hundreds of mansions that were swallowed up by fire, stamped out by expanding freeways, or razed due to financial hardship.
In “Once There Were Castles: Lost Mansions and Estates of the Twin Cities,” Larry Millett immortalizes the impressive homes that populated Minneapolis and St. Paul.
“The lost mansions of the Twin Cities constitute a graveyard of sumptuous dreams that extends into almost every corner of St. Paul and Minneapolis proper, and to Stillwater on the east and Lake Minnetonka on the west,” writes Millet.
“It is hard to say how many great houses are gone, but at least 500 can be accounted for in public records and photographic archives, while others exist only in the yellowing pages of obscure old atlases. Even the most magnificent mansions sometimes had shockingly brief lives.”
Want to win a free copy of “Once There Were Castles”?
Simply leave a comment below by Thursday, Jan. 5, for a chance to win. We’ll notify the winner via email.
November 30, 2011 at 3:23 pm
Looks interesting!
December 10, 2011 at 1:53 pm
I found this book online while looking for Henry Hastings Sibley home on Woodward. Even if I don’t win, I want this book!
December 13, 2011 at 8:59 pm
I love old buildings. I live in an old farmhouse which was built in 1917. The beautiful oak floors, woodwork, and pillars can not be replicated in anything built today. I wouldn’t trade my house with no closets and awkward layout for anything new! One of my favorite past times is driving around searching for abandoned farm houses. This book is on my Christmas list–and I know that no one will buy it for me! Would love to win a copy!
December 22, 2011 at 9:51 am
I’m fascinated by books like this and can’t wait to read it!
December 22, 2011 at 10:04 am
I heard it discussed on the Joe Soucheray talk radio show and knew it was something I would love to read. Once done I will be passing it on to my brother who lives in Australia but retains a deep interest in the Twin Cities and their history.
December 22, 2011 at 10:10 am
I would love such a book! Thank you for the chance to win!
December 22, 2011 at 10:12 am
Oh, by the way…if you want to see a real castle-like, incredibly huge building, google the Fergus Falls Kirkbride….incredible architecture!
December 22, 2011 at 10:18 am
Awesome book idea! I want it. Walking around Kenwood, its fun to imagine what those houses were like 100 years ago.
December 22, 2011 at 10:41 am
I grew up in south Bloomington, and was astonished to find that a luxury estate (“Waleswood”) covered most of my 1950s-suburban neighborhood back in 1915. The name survives in one short street, Wellswood Curve.
December 22, 2011 at 12:38 pm
I read about this book in the paper and was intrigued! I didn’t realize it was a University of Minnesota Press book – cool!
December 22, 2011 at 4:19 pm
looks good……
December 22, 2011 at 6:05 pm
I read about this book coming out in the Pioneer Press. It looks like an interesting read.
January 3, 2012 at 10:15 am
I read Lost Twin Cities by Larry Millet years ago and can’t wait for another trip to the past through his eyes.
January 5, 2012 at 3:55 pm
Congrats to Frank Jaskulke, the winner from our random drawing. We’ll follow up via email shortly. Thanks to everyone for commenting!