2019 photographic survey of 19th and early 20th century architectural ornament in minneapolis

the following gallery of photographic images represents only a fraction of images taken during a brief visit to minneapolis in july of 2019. the majority of the work focuses on late 19th and early 20th century exterior commercial building architectural ornament, with an emphasis on commissions by the firm of long and kees (1885-1897) and sullivanesque ornament designed by kees and colbourn (after the dissolution of the long and kees partnership in 1898, kees teamed with serenus colburn).

a detailed survey of the sullivanesque terra cotta ornament adorning their grain exchange office building (1900-02) and the 9-story deere and webber company warehouse or "tractorworks building" (1910) will require future visits and study for a more thorough analysis of the design elements, materials, and identification of fabricator (possibly the northwestern terra cotta company).  

ornament from the other buildings included in this survey will be labeled when time permits.

further reading:

VISITING MERCHANTS NATIONAL BANK, FOSHAY TOWER, MASONIC TEMPLE, GRAIN EXCHANGE, AND PURCELL-CUTTS HOUSE DURING SINGLE DAY ROAD TRIP