Lost Chester Simmons Mansion 2741 Park Ave

The Chester and Fanny Simmons mansion which was located at 2741 Park Ave S was built as an imposing castle of Kasota stone.  The home's appearance was similar to several other gilded age castles made of stone with turrets,  porte cocheres, copper details and large thick windows.  The home was completed and ready to be occupied by 1891 and was built with the money Mr. Simmons had made by being the vice president of local company at a cost of $34,000, which was a massive sum considering many very large and fine houses of the time could be built with only $5,000.  His wealth has grown that by the late 1880s he was able to consider moving his family from a more modest home which was located at 1916 Park Avenue.  Mr. & Mrs. Simmons along with their 7 children were able to build a much more socially acceptable  house for their needs and position in society.  The home was no doubt a happy place filled with many family activities and happy occasions.  Mr. Simmons passed away in 1921 and his funeral was held at the family mansion.  By the time of his death the exclusiveness of Park Ave being a street of wealthy occupants had begun to wane.  The growing business district was creeping into the posh area and by 1931 the Simmons family sold the home.   According to  local census records it was rented out for some time until  historian Paul Larson notes that the home was occupied by the College of Traffic Management.  Park Avenue continued to decline and by the late 1950s Minneapolis was invested in tearing down the old and building new, modern structures.  The stunning home was demolished in 1959 and soon thereafter a modern building was placed on the lot.  A disgusting and sad end to a once great home. Like so many others on Park Ave this one had little chance against the mindset of the 1950s and urban renewal, destroying of street cars and the age of suburbs and shopping malls. 

Interior of castle from the family archives of fddavidson@charter.net 

Site of Simmons Mansion today.


If you like what you read and want to see this blog and projects keep going PLEASE feel free to donate something, even if it's only a little bit.  Every little bit helps on this restoration project. Thanks again!