Charles Gates Mansion
Considered by many to be one of the, if not the largest mansion in Minneapolis is the Charles Gates Mansion. Located at 2501 East Lake of the Isles this mansion was not a small undertaking. Completed in 1913 by a tycoon who had made his fortune in barb wire, railroads and oil, Gates choose to have a Renaissance Revival style home built. Constructed of the finest marble and materials money could buy the palace was 38000 square feet. The home even included what many speculate to be the nations first air conditioning system. It is also said that the home cost $60,000 a year to maintain. Sadly Gates died before construction could be completed and his widow and children resided there only for 3 years before the home was sold to a local doctor. The doctor himself it seems preferred St. Paul, however when he died in 1929 there could be no buyers found for the structure. The home was demolished in 1933 following a sale of it fine fittings.
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If you like what you saw and would like to donate to keep these projects going feel free to donate :)
My great grandmother was Florence Gates Judd. I appreciate the photos you have posted here.
ReplyDeleteHi Ginny. So glad you enjoyed! If you don't know much about how Florence met Charles or more about her life I suggest you buy Larry Millet's Once There Were Castles. It has a bit more information about the mansion, Charles and how he and Florence met and what her life was like after his death. Feel free to share any more information you might have concerning the mansion too! Thanks so much!
DeleteHow sad that this beautiful house was built and only here for 20 years…
ReplyDeleteIt really is! Too much expense and upkeep. Pity it just went into the landfill.
DeleteToo bad they couldn't have used it as a retirement home or city hall or something. A waste of a perfectly good structure. A crime that city didn't preserve it. We have so little history here in the USA. A throw away culture, always wanting to demolish and build new.
ReplyDelete