Feb 23, 2021
- Dave D
HISTORY LESSON: A glimpse of the past...at Minnetonka Mills
This is the former mill in 1893 at Minnetonka Mills, once located near Minnetonka Boulevard and Plymouth Road. The land was allowed to be settled with the signing of the treaty of Traverse de Sioux in 1851. Minnetonka Mills was the first settlement west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. A 12-foot dam was built across Minnehaha Creek and the original lumber mill was constructed. Trees were cut down along the creek and along the shores of Lake Minnetonka and floated down the creek to the lumber mill. Later, a furniture factory was also working with the mill. It was the largest business in Hennepin County. This mill burned down in 1868. In 1869, a new owner built another mill on the site; this time, a grist mill (pictured), for milling grains. The mill changed hands several times, but ultimately ceased production of any type and was torn down in 1900. The office building currently sits next to the Burwell House.
HISTORY LESSON: A glimpse of the past...at Minnetonka Mills
This is the former mill in 1893 at Minnetonka Mills, once located near Minnetonka Boulevard and Plymouth Road. The land was allowed to be settled with the signing of the treaty of Traverse de Sioux in 1851. Minnetonka Mills was the first settlement west of Minneapolis in Hennepin County. A 12-foot dam was built across Minnehaha Creek and the original lumber mill was constructed. Trees were cut down along the creek and along the shores of Lake Minnetonka and floated down the creek to the lumber mill. Later, a furniture factory was also working with the mill. It was the largest business in Hennepin County. This mill burned down in 1868. In 1869, a new owner built another mill on the site; this time, a grist mill (pictured), for milling grains. The mill changed hands several times, but ultimately ceased production of any type and was torn down in 1900. The office building currently sits next to the Burwell House.
Feb 23, 2021
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May 21, 2018
May 21, 2018
- Dave D
The Burwell House in Minnetonka
Built-in 1883, the Burwell House was constructed by Charles Henry Burwell for his growing family, second wife, and four children. Mr. Burwell was the Manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company beginning in 1874 until the mill’s demise in 1886. The land was purchased from the mill at a cost of $1000, and the house was built from a design found in Palliser’s American Cottage Home catalog (see below). It is said to have cost a mere $3260 to build. While the home is said to be in the Italianate style, I really feel it is an “in-between” house. The home does not have any strong Italianate features like window hoods, bracketed eves, or low pitched gables. In my opinion, it is more a cross between an Italian Villa, which features a central tower, and the Victorian Folk style. The home was built at the very end of the Italian popularity, but in the middle of Folk period. It is not always easy to pin down a single style to Victorian era homes, but it is easy to see architectural influences in some of them. One part of the home not originally built in 1883, is the wrap around porch. Added on somewhere between 1989-1906, it is a good example of the Eastlake influence, with its elaborate spindles and woodwork. Additional Out Buildings The cottage (upper left) was moved to the site in 1894 from the Minnetonka Mills site to house Mr. Burwell’s widowed mother. It is one of the original 15 cottages constructed to house mill workers. The summer kitchen (upper right) was added to the home in 1892. The mill office (lower left) was Mr. Burwell’s office and was moved to the site in 1894. It now serves as the Minnetonka Historical Society building. The final photograph is of the original ice house (lower right). The home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is owned by the City of Minnetonka. Summer tours are available from June to August. Photos: Jennifer Kirby
The Burwell House in Minnetonka
Built-in 1883, the Burwell House was constructed by Charles Henry Burwell for his growing family, second wife, and four children. Mr. Burwell was the Manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company beginning in 1874 until the mill’s demise in 1886. The land was purchased from the mill at a cost of $1000, and the house was built from a design found in Palliser’s American Cottage Home catalog (see below). It is said to have cost a mere $3260 to build. While the home is said to be in the Italianate style, I really feel it is an “in-between” house. The home does not have any strong Italianate features like window hoods, bracketed eves, or low pitched gables. In my opinion, it is more a cross between an Italian Villa, which features a central tower, and the Victorian Folk style. The home was built at the very end of the Italian popularity, but in the middle of Folk period. It is not always easy to pin down a single style to Victorian era homes, but it is easy to see architectural influences in some of them. One part of the home not originally built in 1883, is the wrap around porch. Added on somewhere between 1989-1906, it is a good example of the Eastlake influence, with its elaborate spindles and woodwork. Additional Out Buildings The cottage (upper left) was moved to the site in 1894 from the Minnetonka Mills site to house Mr. Burwell’s widowed mother. It is one of the original 15 cottages constructed to house mill workers. The summer kitchen (upper right) was added to the home in 1892. The mill office (lower left) was Mr. Burwell’s office and was moved to the site in 1894. It now serves as the Minnetonka Historical Society building. The final photograph is of the original ice house (lower right). The home is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and is owned by the City of Minnetonka. Summer tours are available from June to August. Photos: Jennifer Kirby
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Jul 17, 2016
- Dave D
The Burwell House: A reminder of Minnetonka's bygone mill era
The Burwell House, located at 13209 E. McGinty Road in Minnetonka, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the city of Minnetonka. It was built in 1883 for the family of Charles H. Burwell, then secretary and manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company, the first mill west of Minneapolis. The property is listed on the National Register for its “carpenter-Gothic stick” style architecture and association with Minnetonka’s early milling history. According to information from the Minnetonka Historical Society and the National Register nomination form first filed in 1974, in the early 1850s, the newly-established village of Minnetonka Mills saw the construction of a 12-foot dam across Minnehaha Creek, two miles east of the Lake Minnetonka outlet, and a sawmill was built in the village in 1853. The sawmill and an adjacent furniture factory and varnish house were impacted by the Panic of 1857, and by 1860 both had burned. In 1869 a four-story flour mill was constructed, and it eventually produced four hundred barrels of flour a day. Burwell became the mill’s manager in 1877, and purchased it seven years later. He decided to build his home for his children and new young wife, Mary Dunham Burwell, on a parcel of land adjacent to the mill. In the late 19th century, the mill prospered and Minnetonka Mills enjoyed a short life as a prominent industrial town. As competition from the growing Minneapolis mills increased, operations eventually moved to Minneapolis, and the Minnetonka Mill was closed and torn down in 1900. The Burwell House was occupied continuously by members of the Burwell Family until 1958, when it was sold to the William Smith family. Even then Miss Louise Burwell, the last of the family to reside on the property, moved into the guest house (a small cottage adjacent to the house) for several years.The city acquired the property in 1970.
The Burwell House: A reminder of Minnetonka's bygone mill era
The Burwell House, located at 13209 E. McGinty Road in Minnetonka, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and operated by the city of Minnetonka. It was built in 1883 for the family of Charles H. Burwell, then secretary and manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company, the first mill west of Minneapolis. The property is listed on the National Register for its “carpenter-Gothic stick” style architecture and association with Minnetonka’s early milling history. According to information from the Minnetonka Historical Society and the National Register nomination form first filed in 1974, in the early 1850s, the newly-established village of Minnetonka Mills saw the construction of a 12-foot dam across Minnehaha Creek, two miles east of the Lake Minnetonka outlet, and a sawmill was built in the village in 1853. The sawmill and an adjacent furniture factory and varnish house were impacted by the Panic of 1857, and by 1860 both had burned. In 1869 a four-story flour mill was constructed, and it eventually produced four hundred barrels of flour a day. Burwell became the mill’s manager in 1877, and purchased it seven years later. He decided to build his home for his children and new young wife, Mary Dunham Burwell, on a parcel of land adjacent to the mill. In the late 19th century, the mill prospered and Minnetonka Mills enjoyed a short life as a prominent industrial town. As competition from the growing Minneapolis mills increased, operations eventually moved to Minneapolis, and the Minnetonka Mill was closed and torn down in 1900. The Burwell House was occupied continuously by members of the Burwell Family until 1958, when it was sold to the William Smith family. Even then Miss Louise Burwell, the last of the family to reside on the property, moved into the guest house (a small cottage adjacent to the house) for several years.The city acquired the property in 1970.
Jul 17, 2016
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Jul 01, 2016
Jul 01, 2016
The Burwell House, Minnetonka July 1, 2016
All dressed up for the festivities. The classic Burwell House at 6 am. Posted by MinnetonkaFelix
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May 09, 2015
- Charmaine Bantugan
Charles H. Burwell House
The Charles H. Burwell House is a historic house museum in Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States, built in 1883. Charles H. Burwell (1838–1917) was the secretary and manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company, the first mill west of Minneapolis, around which grew the first permanent Euro-American settlement in Hennepin County west of Minneapolis. This property on Minnehaha Creek, including the house and two outbuildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Carpenter Gothic/Stick style architecture and association with Minnetonka's early milling history. History Charles H. Burwell was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1838. He moved to Minnesota in 1874 after his first wife died. He married Mary Carey Durham in 1876, and the family took up residence in the Minnetonka Hotel until his house was built in 1883. Burwell took pride in his house, as shown by the number of photos he took and in the lack of exterior modifications through the years.[ The Minnetonka Mills Company had a short but productive milling career. It produced 300 barrels of flour per day in 1881, but as milling companies in Minneapolis became more powerful, Minnetonka Mills was unable to compete, and it closed down in 1886. Burwell then commuted to Minneapolis where he served as a secretary to businessman and legislator Loren Fletcher. When he died in 1917, Burwell had considerable influence in the community. Current use The house is now operated by the Minnetonka Historical Society, with guided tours offered during the summer and around Christmas.
Charles H. Burwell House
The Charles H. Burwell House is a historic house museum in Minnetonka, Minnesota, United States, built in 1883. Charles H. Burwell (1838–1917) was the secretary and manager of the Minnetonka Mills Company, the first mill west of Minneapolis, around which grew the first permanent Euro-American settlement in Hennepin County west of Minneapolis. This property on Minnehaha Creek, including the house and two outbuildings, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its Carpenter Gothic/Stick style architecture and association with Minnetonka's early milling history. History Charles H. Burwell was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1838. He moved to Minnesota in 1874 after his first wife died. He married Mary Carey Durham in 1876, and the family took up residence in the Minnetonka Hotel until his house was built in 1883. Burwell took pride in his house, as shown by the number of photos he took and in the lack of exterior modifications through the years.[ The Minnetonka Mills Company had a short but productive milling career. It produced 300 barrels of flour per day in 1881, but as milling companies in Minneapolis became more powerful, Minnetonka Mills was unable to compete, and it closed down in 1886. Burwell then commuted to Minneapolis where he served as a secretary to businessman and legislator Loren Fletcher. When he died in 1917, Burwell had considerable influence in the community. Current use The house is now operated by the Minnetonka Historical Society, with guided tours offered during the summer and around Christmas.
May 09, 2015
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May 02, 1974
May 02, 1974
- Charmaine Bantugan
National Register of Historic Places - Charles H. Burwell House
Statement of Significance: The village of Minnetonka Mills was the first permanent white settlement in Hennepin County west of the Minneapolis area. In this village Governor Alexander Ramsey officially named the newly rediscovered lake "Minnetonka" in June of 1852, meaning "Big-water" in the dialect of the Dakota. By provision of the territorial charter a twelve-foot dam was constructed across Minnehaha Creek at a site two miles east of the Lake Minnetonka outlet. A sawmill was built in the village by Simon Stevens and Calvin Tuttle in 1853. After an early fire, the sawmill was rebuilt and enlarged by the addition of a furniture factory and varnish house. This industrial development felt the economic impact of the Panic of 1857 and was forced to close. By 1860 both the sawmill and the furniture factory had burned. Nine years later a four-story flour mill was erected on the site, eventually producing four hundred barrels of flour a day, with a one hundred-horse-power steam engine to supplement 'the"increasingly'1 1J inadequate waterpower. Charles H. Burwell became the manager of this enterprise in 1877, purchasing it seven years thereafter. Under 1 - " Burwell's direction, the Minnetonka Mills Company prospered and challenged the laurels of the mills in Minneapolis in quality and distribution. At the peak of this prosperous time for the town of Minnetonka Mills, Charles Burwell decided to build a fine new house for his young wife, Mary Dunham Burwell, on a parcel of land. adjacent to the mill. This house, which has been referred to by many as an excellent example of the vernacular " carpenter-Gothic stick style", was completed in 1883. This year was also the peak in Minnetonka Mills short life as a prominent industrial town. The mill was sold the next year to a Canadian milling company; however, this company never materialized to assume operation of the mill. Burwell repurchased the buildings a quarter section of land from the Canadian land holders and resumed operation of the process. The mill operated as a custom grist mill for a short period until operations were moved to Minneapolis, and the Minnetonka Mill was closed and torn down in 1900. The grounds and three of the buildings significant to the preservation and interpretation of the early milling heritage of the Minnetonka Mills area remain. They have been acquired by the City of Minnetonka for use as a museum and park.
National Register of Historic Places - Charles H. Burwell House
Statement of Significance: The village of Minnetonka Mills was the first permanent white settlement in Hennepin County west of the Minneapolis area. In this village Governor Alexander Ramsey officially named the newly rediscovered lake "Minnetonka" in June of 1852, meaning "Big-water" in the dialect of the Dakota. By provision of the territorial charter a twelve-foot dam was constructed across Minnehaha Creek at a site two miles east of the Lake Minnetonka outlet. A sawmill was built in the village by Simon Stevens and Calvin Tuttle in 1853. After an early fire, the sawmill was rebuilt and enlarged by the addition of a furniture factory and varnish house. This industrial development felt the economic impact of the Panic of 1857 and was forced to close. By 1860 both the sawmill and the furniture factory had burned. Nine years later a four-story flour mill was erected on the site, eventually producing four hundred barrels of flour a day, with a one hundred-horse-power steam engine to supplement 'the"increasingly'1 1J inadequate waterpower. Charles H. Burwell became the manager of this enterprise in 1877, purchasing it seven years thereafter. Under 1 - " Burwell's direction, the Minnetonka Mills Company prospered and challenged the laurels of the mills in Minneapolis in quality and distribution. At the peak of this prosperous time for the town of Minnetonka Mills, Charles Burwell decided to build a fine new house for his young wife, Mary Dunham Burwell, on a parcel of land. adjacent to the mill. This house, which has been referred to by many as an excellent example of the vernacular " carpenter-Gothic stick style", was completed in 1883. This year was also the peak in Minnetonka Mills short life as a prominent industrial town. The mill was sold the next year to a Canadian milling company; however, this company never materialized to assume operation of the mill. Burwell repurchased the buildings a quarter section of land from the Canadian land holders and resumed operation of the process. The mill operated as a custom grist mill for a short period until operations were moved to Minneapolis, and the Minnetonka Mill was closed and torn down in 1900. The grounds and three of the buildings significant to the preservation and interpretation of the early milling heritage of the Minnetonka Mills area remain. They have been acquired by the City of Minnetonka for use as a museum and park.
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Jun 01, 1971
Jun 01, 1971
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