Overview

Fredrika Bremer Intermediate School is one of the oldest school buildings still standing from the 1800s.

• Location: 1214 Lowry Avenue North
• Neighborhood: Folwell

Historic photo (1910)

Current photo (2006)

Architecture

• Architectural Style: Romanesque Revival
• Architect: Edward S. Stebbins and Robert Haxby

Use

• Historic use: Educational
• Current use: Residential

Construction

• Construction date: 1886
• Contractor: unknown

Significance

• Area(s) of significance: Architecture; Education
• Period of significance: Undefined
• Date of local designation: 1985
• Date of National Register designation: N/A
• Designation: Exterior

Historic profile

Fredrika Bremer Intermediate School is one of the oldest school buildings still standing from the 1800s. Built in 1886, it was the 30th school in the Minneapolis Public School system. During the 1880s, the area north of Broadway Avenue experienced rapid development. They built the school to provide for the growing population.

The building expanded over time. The oldest part faces Lowry Avenue. In 1897, two wings were added to the east and west sides. In 1910, a gym/auditorium was added to the north side between the wings. In 1916, a community room and media center were built at the northwest corner. Architect Edward S. Stebbins designed the 1897 and 1910 additions. He may also have designed the original building. Architect Robert Haxby, who became Stebbins' partner, designed the 1916 addition. 

The two-story building has yellow Chaska brick walls and looks like a castle. The architects used the Romanesque Revival style. The building's cornice has arched corbelling. It is roughly T-shaped and has many corners that have round pilasters. Where the original building meets the wings, there are two rounded towers. Each entrance has an open porch with archways.

There are only two school buildings left in Minneapolis built before this one. They are the Madison School and Harrison School. Unlike the Frederika Bremer Intermediate School, both have been significantly altered.

Photo credit

• 1910 photo: Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
• 2006 photo: Minneapolis Department of Community Planning and Economic Development

Work cited

Charles W. Nelson, “National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Frederika Bremer Intermediate School,” June 1977.