1335 West Beechwood Place
Saint Paul, MN, USA

Home tour highlighting its backstory!! (check out the story to watch the video)

Click the video link below to explore this home's backstory!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxnvjHJNR-d/

1335 West Beechwood Place, Saint Paul, MN, USA

History of house

The house was built in 1939 by Clapp-Thompson Builders. It was owned and built by a Mr. and Mrs. Lind, who only owned it for about a year. In 1941, Fred and Dorothy Sheppard purchased the property. Fred worked for Horner-Waldorf in Saint Paul. Dorothy was an early female athlete at the University of Minnesota. She was a competitive swimmer. Owners of the house also owned entire block between Hamline and Syndicate and from Boland to Beechwood which was undeveloped, This house was the first built on the block.
John and Lee Mannillo purchased the property the home was on in 1978. The other parcels were sold off by Fred and Dorothy. John was a developer who owned historic building including the Pioneer, Endicott and Gilbert Buildings in Saint Paul's Lowertown.
1335 Beechwood Place was built with Chicago Brick salvaged from the Chicago Fire in the 1880's. Some Minnesota brickyards still have Chicago Brick inventories.
Dorothy and Fred Sheppard installed the first Minnesota back yard Gunite swimming pool in 1953. It was restored in 1882.
In 1967, the garage was rebuilt as a summer Livingroom. A new attached garage was built at the same time. That room was remodeled in the year 2000. The kitchen was remodeled in 1980.
The house and its pool were used two times as Saint Paul Winter Carnival Treasure Hunt clues over the years.

The University of Minnesota's pool was named after Dorothy!

"During ceremonies the pool was named the Dorothy L. Sheppard Pool in honor of Dorothy Sheppard's contributions to the program"

Dorothy Sheppard being recognized for establishing the first university endowment fund for women student-athletes!

"The first university endowment fund for women student-athletes is established by Dorothy Sheppard" [in 1980].

Dorothy's Obituary

Honoring Dorothy in her Star Tribune Obituary.

John Mannillo running for Mayor

John Mannillo running for Mayor

Homeowner John Mannillo runs for Mayor!

Watch the St. Paul Public Affairs Mayoral Debate on PBS using the link below:

https://www.pbs.org/video/st-paul-candidates-28262/

Photo credit:

https://www.lowertownrid.org/leadership

More about Dorothy sheppard, one of the original homeowners

A feature about Dorothy Sheppard as a competitive swimmer. A side-by-side overview of her early career to 1987.

Professional Photos of 1335 W Beechwood

Professional photos of 1335 West Beechwood Place in St. Paul, MN. Circa 1981.

Backyard fun in 1968

Photos of friends and family at 1335 Beechwood Place in St. Paul. Summer of 1968.

New Pool Room Added to the House

Photos of the construction of the pool room at 1335 Beechwood Place, St. Paul, MN. April 1, 1968.

Northern State Power - Picture of the Pool and Lights

According to the homeowner - the Northern State Power company came out to take pictures and showcase the house, pool, and lighting for their marketing materials in 1967.

4th of July Party

4th of July Party in 1965 at the Beechwood Place house.

Hanging by the pool in 1964

Pictures of people hanging out by the pool in 1964.

Hanging out in the backyard 1963

Hanging out in the backyard 1963. 1335 Beechwood Place, St. Paul, MN.

1335 Beechwood Place in 1961

Summertime at Beechwood Place in 1961.

Front of House - Christmas 1954

Christmas in front of the house in 1954.

First gunite pool in Minnesota!

The photos show the construction of the first gunite pool in Minnesota!

A gunite pool, also known as a shotcrete pool, is a type of swimming pool construction method that involves the use of concrete and rebar. The term "gunite" is often used to refer to both the dry-mix process and the wet-mix process, which are two techniques used to create pools and other structures.

Here's a brief overview of the two processes:

Dry-Mix Process: In this method, dry concrete mix (a mixture of sand and cement) is blown through a hose to the construction site, and water is added at the nozzle where it is sprayed onto the steel framework of the pool. This process is typically used less frequently than the wet-mix process.

Wet-Mix Process: This is the more common method for constructing gunite pools. In the wet-mix process, a pre-mixed slurry of concrete and water is transported to the construction site via a concrete truck. The slurry is then sprayed onto the steel rebar framework using a high-pressure hose. After application, the wet concrete is troweled and shaped to create the desired pool shape and contours.

Gunite pools are known for their durability and flexibility in design. Because the concrete is pneumatically applied, it can be shaped to accommodate various pool shapes and sizes, making it a popular choice for custom-designed pools. The concrete shell is typically finished with plaster, tile, or other materials to give it a smooth and aesthetically pleasing surface.

One advantage of gunite pools is their longevity and ability to withstand harsh weather conditions. However, they may require periodic maintenance and resurfacing over time to keep them in good condition as shown in photos 5 & 6 from 1968.

Additionally, gunite pool construction can be more expensive and time-consuming compared to other pool construction methods. Still, many homeowners and builders consider the investment worthwhile due to the customization and durability it offers.

Plat Survey

This is the plat survey of 1335 Beechwood Place.

1335 Beechwood Place shortly after it was built

Picture of 1335 Beechwood Place in St. Paul, MN shortly after it was built.

More about the potential first homeowners!

Initially, the home was built for Mr. and Mrs. Lind, but they only stayed for a year! The mystery behind their swift departure remains a mystery to this day.

This 1898 article shares more about Governor John Lind, his family, and the move to St. Paul, MN.

Could this be the same Lind family the home was originally built for??