Sep 11, 2023
Sep 11, 2023


2051 Melody Hill Road, Excelsior, MN, USA
Posted Date
Sep 11, 2023
Historical Record Date
Sep 11, 2023
Source Name
RedFin
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Aug 20, 2020
Aug 20, 2020




















What the home looked like in 2020!
Photos taken from the 2020 realtor.com listing.Posted Date
Sep 11, 2023
Historical Record Date
Aug 20, 2020
Source Name
Realtor.com
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Jan 01, 1984

Aerial Map Viewer
Using Historic Aerials' Aerial Map Viewer, you can see the property decrease in size between 1979 and 1984, with a neighboring home appearing to the west of the house in the 1984 aerial photograph.
Jan 01, 1984
Aerial Map Viewer
Using Historic Aerials' Aerial Map Viewer, you can see the property decrease in size between 1979 and 1984, with a neighboring home appearing to the west of the house in the 1984 aerial photograph.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1984
Source Name
Historic Aerials
Source Website
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Jan 01, 1972
Jan 01, 1972

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- Kerigan Pickett
Aerial Map Viewer
Using Historic Aerials' Aerial Map Viewer, you can see the property's landscape changing over time. In 1972, a small building in the northwest corner of the property appeared, meaning it was built sometime between 1966 and 1972. There were also much fewer trees before 1972.
Aerial Map Viewer
Using Historic Aerials' Aerial Map Viewer, you can see the property's landscape changing over time. In 1972, a small building in the northwest corner of the property appeared, meaning it was built sometime between 1966 and 1972. There were also much fewer trees before 1972.
Aerial Map Viewer
Using Historic Aerials' Aerial Map Viewer, you can see the property's landscape changing over time. In 1972, a small building in the northwest corner of the property appeared, meaning it was built sometime between 1966 and 1972. There were also much fewer trees before 1972.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1972
Source Name
Historic Aerials
Source Website
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Jan 01, 1926

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- Kerigan Pickett
1926 Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
In this 1926 map of Murray Hill, we can see that the lot is still Lot 19 and the street name is still Vine St. It is unclear how long the street was Vine St before becoming Melody Hill Rd. The property's house number also remains unknown. The property was larger than today, taking up about half of the block.
1926 Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
In this 1926 map of Murray Hill, we can see that the lot is still Lot 19 and the street name is still Vine St. It is unclear how long the street was Vine St before becoming Melody Hill Rd. The property's house number also remains unknown. The property was larger than today, taking up about half of the block.
Jan 01, 1926


1926 Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
In this 1926 map of Murray Hill, we can see that the lot is still Lot 19 and the street name is still Vine St. It is unclear how long the street was Vine St before becoming Melody Hill Rd. The property's house number also remains unknown. The property was larger than today, taking up about half of the block.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1926
Source Name
Historic Map Works
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Jan 01, 1920
Jan 01, 1920

J.W. Murray Dies
J.W. Murray, for whom the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision is named, died in 1920. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, MN.


J.W. Murray Dies
J.W. Murray, for whom the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision is named, died in 1920. He is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, MN.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1920
Source Name
FindAGrave
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Apr 15, 1906

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- Kerigan Pickett
Ad for Hire
In 1906, an ad was put out for a young girl or woman for light housework. The ad was created by Mrs. Dobbin of Murray Hill, Excelsior. Though it is unclear which house Mrs. Dobbin lived in, it is described as a cottage and would have been located in the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision.
Ad for Hire
In 1906, an ad was put out for a young girl or woman for light housework. The ad was created by Mrs. Dobbin of Murray Hill, Excelsior. Though it is unclear which house Mrs. Dobbin lived in, it is described as a cottage and would have been located in the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision.
Apr 15, 1906


Ad for Hire
In 1906, an ad was put out for a young girl or woman for light housework. The ad was created by Mrs. Dobbin of Murray Hill, Excelsior. Though it is unclear which house Mrs. Dobbin lived in, it is described as a cottage and would have been located in the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Apr 15, 1906
Source Name
Library of Congress
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Mar 18, 1906
Mar 18, 1906

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- Kerigan Pickett
New Building in Murray Hill
This newspaper clipping from 1906 mentions the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. It states that a new home was being built for E.D. Holway by a contractor named Trafton Moody. It is not clear which house is being built, but they would have been a neighbor in the subdivision.
New Building in Murray Hill
This newspaper clipping from 1906 mentions the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. It states that a new home was being built for E.D. Holway by a contractor named Trafton Moody. It is not clear which house is being built, but they would have been a neighbor in the subdivision.


New Building in Murray Hill
This newspaper clipping from 1906 mentions the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. It states that a new home was being built for E.D. Holway by a contractor named Trafton Moody. It is not clear which house is being built, but they would have been a neighbor in the subdivision.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Mar 18, 1906
Source Name
Library of Congress
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Dec 02, 1903

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- Kerigan Pickett
"How I Grew Grapes" by J.W. Murray
In this newspaper clipping from 1903, J.W. Murray of Excelsior, for whom the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision was named, gave a presentation on grapes in Minneapolis. His presentation was titled, "How I Grew Grapes." The presentation occurred at the State Horticultural Society's Annual Meeting.
"How I Grew Grapes" by J.W. Murray
In this newspaper clipping from 1903, J.W. Murray of Excelsior, for whom the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision was named, gave a presentation on grapes in Minneapolis. His presentation was titled, "How I Grew Grapes." The presentation occurred at the State Horticultural Society's Annual Meeting.
Dec 02, 1903




"How I Grew Grapes" by J.W. Murray
In this newspaper clipping from 1903, J.W. Murray of Excelsior, for whom the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision was named, gave a presentation on grapes in Minneapolis. His presentation was titled, "How I Grew Grapes." The presentation occurred at the State Horticultural Society's Annual Meeting.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Dec 02, 1903
Source Name
Saint Paul Globe - NewspaperArchive
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Jan 01, 1892
Jan 01, 1892


Memoir
This memoir from 1892 mentions locals from the Excelsior Congregational Church. John Murray is one of those mentioned.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1892
Source Name
MN Collections
Source Website
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Jan 01, 1892

J.W. Murray Photograph
This image depicts the Grand Army of the Republican Civil War Veterans in 1892. They are standing on Water Street in Excelsior. The buildings behind them would burn three years later in 1895. John Weir Murray (J.W. Murray) is the 16th to the left.
Jan 01, 1892
J.W. Murray Photograph
This image depicts the Grand Army of the Republican Civil War Veterans in 1892. They are standing on Water Street in Excelsior. The buildings behind them would burn three years later in 1895. John Weir Murray (J.W. Murray) is the 16th to the left.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1892
Source Name
MN Collection
Source Website
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Jan 01, 1890
Jan 01, 1890


Union Veterans Census
John Murray (J.W. Murray) was listed as a Civil War veteran in 1890. He is recorded as a marine.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1890
Source Name
FamilySearch
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Aug 28, 1884

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- Kerigan Pickett
Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
The first evidence of the house's property is in 1884. It is present on a map of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision, labeled Lot 19. At this time, the street name was not Melody Hill Rd, but Vine St. The owners of the land at this time were Minor and Sarah Ball, Elizabeth W. Murray, Emma Murray, and James Murray. The text on this map shows that the plats were surveyed by Wesley Beach.
Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
The first evidence of the house's property is in 1884. It is present on a map of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision, labeled Lot 19. At this time, the street name was not Melody Hill Rd, but Vine St. The owners of the land at this time were Minor and Sarah Ball, Elizabeth W. Murray, Emma Murray, and James Murray. The text on this map shows that the plats were surveyed by Wesley Beach.
Aug 28, 1884


Murray Hill Neighborhood Map
The first evidence of the house's property is in 1884. It is present on a map of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision, labeled Lot 19. At this time, the street name was not Melody Hill Rd, but Vine St. The owners of the land at this time were Minor and Sarah Ball, Elizabeth W. Murray, Emma Murray, and James Murray. The text on this map shows that the plats were surveyed by Wesley Beach.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Aug 28, 1884
Source Name
Hennepin County Library
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Jan 25, 1883
Jan 25, 1883

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- Kerigan Pickett
Father Murray Obituary
This newspaper clipping tells us about Father John Murray, J.W. Murray's father. He was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1812, coming to Minnesota in 1837. He is described as one of the area's oldest settlers. He owned the northern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood before its creation. He died at his home, though it is unclear where his house was situated on the land.
Father Murray Obituary
This newspaper clipping tells us about Father John Murray, J.W. Murray's father. He was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1812, coming to Minnesota in 1837. He is described as one of the area's oldest settlers. He owned the northern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood before its creation. He died at his home, though it is unclear where his house was situated on the land.




Father Murray Obituary
This newspaper clipping tells us about Father John Murray, J.W. Murray's father. He was born near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1812, coming to Minnesota in 1837. He is described as one of the area's oldest settlers. He owned the northern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood before its creation. He died at his home, though it is unclear where his house was situated on the land.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 25, 1883
Source Name
FindAGrave
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Jun 16, 1880

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- Kerigan Pickett
FamilySearch Census Records
This census record from 1880 shows J.W. Murray as a 49-year-old farmer from Pennsylvania. Listed below him is his 39-year-old wife, Mary, and his 12-year-old daughter, Laila. The Murray Neighborhood was named after the Murrays who owned the land prior to it becoming a subdivision.
FamilySearch Census Records
This census record from 1880 shows J.W. Murray as a 49-year-old farmer from Pennsylvania. Listed below him is his 39-year-old wife, Mary, and his 12-year-old daughter, Laila. The Murray Neighborhood was named after the Murrays who owned the land prior to it becoming a subdivision.
Jun 16, 1880


FamilySearch Census Records
This census record from 1880 shows J.W. Murray as a 49-year-old farmer from Pennsylvania. Listed below him is his 39-year-old wife, Mary, and his 12-year-old daughter, Laila. The Murray Neighborhood was named after the Murrays who owned the land prior to it becoming a subdivision.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jun 16, 1880
Source Name
FamilySearch
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Jan 01, 1880
Jan 01, 1880

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- Kerigan Pickett
1880 Carver County Map
According to this 1880 map of Carver County, provided by the Library of Congress, the property was owned by J.W. Murray, though the individual properties of the area were not yet platted. The area of land owned by J.W. Murray would later be the southern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. The northern half was owned by J.W. Murray's father, John Murray. The map is available for free viewing on the Library of Congress website.
1880 Carver County Map
According to this 1880 map of Carver County, provided by the Library of Congress, the property was owned by J.W. Murray, though the individual properties of the area were not yet platted. The area of land owned by J.W. Murray would later be the southern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. The northern half was owned by J.W. Murray's father, John Murray. The map is available for free viewing on the Library of Congress website.




1880 Carver County Map
According to this 1880 map of Carver County, provided by the Library of Congress, the property was owned by J.W. Murray, though the individual properties of the area were not yet platted. The area of land owned by J.W. Murray would later be the southern half of the Murray Hill neighborhood and subdivision. The northern half was owned by J.W. Murray's father, John Murray. The map is available for free viewing on the Library of Congress website.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1880
Source Name
Library of Congress
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Jan 01, 1874

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- Kerigan Pickett
1874 Carver County Map
This map from the David Rumsey Map Collection shows Carver County in 1874. If you zoom in on the location of the address, you can see that there was no neighborhood and only nearby farms belonging to individuals. We can assume the property was not yet being used or was used as farmland at this time. The map is available for free viewing on the website.
1874 Carver County Map
This map from the David Rumsey Map Collection shows Carver County in 1874. If you zoom in on the location of the address, you can see that there was no neighborhood and only nearby farms belonging to individuals. We can assume the property was not yet being used or was used as farmland at this time. The map is available for free viewing on the website.
Jan 01, 1874




1874 Carver County Map
This map from the David Rumsey Map Collection shows Carver County in 1874. If you zoom in on the location of the address, you can see that there was no neighborhood and only nearby farms belonging to individuals. We can assume the property was not yet being used or was used as farmland at this time. The map is available for free viewing on the website.Posted Date
Sep 17, 2023
Historical Record Date
Jan 01, 1874
Source Name
David Rumsey Map Collection
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