Comments on: Friday, May 29, 1896: A new ballpark on Nicollet

By: Don Babb

Don Babb — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 05:13:47 +0000

I saw Willie Mays on opening day at Nicollet Park in 1951. It was about a month later when the Giants brought him up for that miracle season when the Giants won the pennant!

By: Gail Lofdahl

Gail Lofdahl — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:56:36 +0000

To Konrad and Seth:
I could be mistaken, but I think the present-day K-Mart sits on the former site of an auditorium/ice rink, probably built in the 1920s or even earlier. I (born 1955) can remember going there as a young child for Shipstad & Johnson’s Ice Follies. I can clearly remember that it had wooden bench seats and wooden floors that were chewed up from innumerable ice skates. That building–not the K-Mart–was the reason Nicollet was blocked off at Lake Street.
It was torn down once the Met Center (which was located in Bloomington, just north of the Met Stadium) was built in the early to mid 1960s. After that, the K-Mart was put on the site. If I’m wrong about the exact location, I’d still love to know the name of that ice rink!

By: Gail Lofdahl

Gail Lofdahl — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 08:54:37 +0000

To Konrad and Seth:
I could be mistaken, but I think the present-day K-Mart sits on the former site of an auditorium/ice rink, probably built in the 1920s or even earlier. I (born 1955) can remember going there as a young child for Shipstad & Johnson’s Ice Follies. I can clearly remember that it had wooden bench seats and wooden floors that were chewed up from innumerable ice skates. That building–not the K-Mart–was the reason Nicollet was blocked off at Lake Street.
I believe the ice rink survived until the Met Center (which was located in Bloomington, just north of the Met Stadium) was built in the early to mid 1960s. If I’m wrong, I’d still love to know the name of that ice rink!

By: G. Campbell

G. Campbell — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 19:27:50 +0000

I remember the old ballpark very well!
When I first saw it, I asked my “Daddy” what it was. Our family shopped in that area for years. It had everything you could need, including the old Vogue Theatre. The park was 1 block South of Lake Street between Nicollet & Blaisdell, not where K-Mart is. The street (Nicollet) was not blocked off back in those years.

By: Bill Kinkel

Bill Kinkel — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 18:50:21 +0000

Looking for info on a Edward Kinkel that played for the Minneapollis Millers. He was a catcher, also a Samual Kinkel. Edward died in California at the age of 57. The obit said that Edward played also for the JAVA AND ALSO GENNYMEDES TEAMS. I have no idea what those two teams were , any info will help. Thank you
Bill Kinkel

By: Roy Billmark

Roy Billmark — Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:29:24 +0000

I too shagged balls that cleared the right field fence onto Nicollet Ave. Years later shagged a few beers at the President Cafe as well. Thanks for the memories. Lake Street was a grand commercial paradise from end to end and there was little that could not be purchased there. It is sad to note the change for us old timers.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 04:51:41 +0000

I live in the condo building at Lake and Nicollet which is now on the sight of the old ball park. There is still a plaque behind what the former Norwest bank (now Wells Fargo).
On another note, nothing would make me happier than Kmart closing and Nicollet opening up again! The city has really let this part of town go down hill.

By: D Muro LaMere

D Muro LaMere — Sat, 14 Apr 2007 16:17:21 +0000

Just to clarify, the article states that the ballpark was between Lake and 31st and Nicollet and Blaisdell.

Kmart, abhorration that it is (and, I believe, the source of the Nicollet detour mentioned above) is between Lake and 29th streets, so one block north of where the ballpark would have been.

Either way, this article is a gem.

By: Mark Yarwood

Mark Yarwood — Sun, 11 Feb 2007 18:07:50 +0000

There used to be a plaque on the site of the old Nicollet Park. Does anyone know if that plaque is still there? It was in the parking lot back when a Norwest Bank branch was there.

By: Bill Macal

Bill Macal — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 15:55:23 +0000

This is the first time I’ve seen Nicollet Park, having grown up in Austin, Mn. I think it’s a good idea to use this sight. Keep the entrance (or build a replica) and the name of the park the same.