Overview

The Lynnhurst Residential Historic District is significant for its pattern of development. It is located east of Lake Harriet. The district's houses reflect popular residential architectural styles in the early 20th century.

• Location: 4600-4756 Dupont Avenue South (even numbered addresses only), 4600-4752 Emerson Avenue South, 4600-4754 Fremont Avenue South
• Neighborhood: Lynnhurst

View the design guidelines and map of this historic district

Historic photo

Current photo

Architecture

• Architectural Style: Various
• Architect: Various

Use

• Historic use: Residential
• Current use: Residential

Construction

• Construction date: Various
• Contractor: Various

Significance

• Area(s) of significance: Community identity; architecture; landscape design
• Period of Significance: 1893-1937
• Date of local designation: 2020
• Date of National Register designation: N/A
• Designation: Exterior 

Historic profile

The Lynnhurst Residential Historic District is significant for its pattern of development. It is located east of Lake Harriet. The district's houses reflect popular residential architectural styles in the early 20th century. Nine houses were built in 1893, kicking off development of the neighborhood. People were attracted to Lake Harriet and the parkway that had been built around it in the 1880s. The first nine families shared one telephone housed at 4600 Fremont Avenue South. They also shared three cows because they were not on a milk route. Development increased in the early 1900s.

The houses in this district share many traits. They are all 2 to 3 stories tall. They are sited on large lots. The houses have similar setbacks. Most have garages at the back of the lot. All of the houses except for one were built between 1893 and 1937. Architectural styles include Colonial Revival, Classical Revival, Tudor Revival, and Prairie Style. Area residents held a variety of jobs and were part of the emerging upper middle class. Many were civic leaders.

This district is a cohesive set of similarly designed properties. It differs from nearby areas where lots are smaller or there is more infill construction. The large lots in Lynnhurst have mature trees and lush plantings. Linden trees line the streets and give the neighborhood its name. The landscaping makes the neighborhood look like a park with houses hidden by the trees.

Photo credit

• 1920s photo of 4650 Fremont Ave S: Courtesy of Hennepin County Library and the Hennepin History Museum
• 2021 photo: Courtesy of Hess, Roise and Company

Works Cited

New History, “Local Historic District Designation Study and Survey: Lynnhurst Residential Historic District,” 2020.