HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 07/15/2024AGENDA
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MONDAY JULY 15, 2024 7:00 P.M. Heritage Rooms, City Hall
HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steven Schumacher-Chair; Paul Thorp-Vice Chair, George
Maxwell, Robert Bowes, Rod Fisher, Andy Ludowese,
Catherine Lau
COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER / ROLL CALL
II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MEETING ON JUNE 17, 2024
A. NEW BUSINESS
A. REVIEW THE DRAFT HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE NOMINATION FOR THE
RAILROAD DEPOT, DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION
TO THE COUNCIL
B. REVIEW THE DRAFT REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) FOR THE BOOK ON THE
HISTORY OF THE NATIVE AMERICANS IN EDEN PRAIRIE
VI. OLD BUSINESS
VII. REPORTS FROM SUBCOMMITTEES
A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY/OUTREACH
B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS
C. RENOVATION/MAINTEANCE/DEVELOPMENT
D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH
VIII REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
IX. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY
A. GENERAL UPDATE – (PAUL/BOB)
X. FYI ITEMS
XI. NEXT MEETING
AUGUST 19, 2024
XII. ADJOURNMENT
UNAPPROVED MINUTES
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
MONDAY, JUNE 17, 2024 7:00 P.M. Meeting
Heritage Rooms, City Hall
HPC COMMISSION MEMBERS: Steve Schumacher (Chair); Paul Thorp
(Vice-Chair); Rod Fisher; George Maxwell;
Robert Bowes; Andy Ludowese; Catherine
Lau
COMMISSION STAFF: Beth Novak-Krebs, Staff Liaison
Kristin Harley, Recording Secretary
I. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chair Schumacher called the meeting to order at 7:01 p.m. All commission members
were present.
II. READING OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT
Lau read the land acknowledgement statement.
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
MOTION: Ludowese moved, seconded by Maxwell to approve the agenda. Motion
carried 7-0.
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION: Fisher moved, seconded by Bowes to approve the minutes of the May 20,
2024 meeting. Motion carried 7-0.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE INTERVIEWS REGARING
COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
Novak-Krebs explained the interviews had been transcribed and nearly all had
been edited. When completed, they would be uploaded to the website. Each
would have a standard written introduction. Schumacher suggested launching a
campaign with each posting, and spacing them out so that each oral history would
get attention. Novak-Krebs stated she would bring up this idea with the
Communication Department. Discussion followed on the format of the
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 17, 2024
Page 2
introduction. Novak-Krebs suggested also loading them to the Historical Society
interviews webpage as well.
B. ORGANIZING INFORMATION ON THE NATIVE AMERICAN
HISTORY OF EDEN PRAIRIE
Schumacher thanked Thorp for all his work. Thorp distributed a hard copy
summary and displayed digital images of his inventory, including photographs of
the Otherday family members and maps of the Otherday (now Peterson) property.
Discussion followed on the locations and history related to the Otherday family
and the geography. Otherday originally owned 180 acres, which the government
either bought or took and it was split up. The Otherday family was the only
documented indigenous family in Eden Prairie. Thorp summarized the history of
the Otherday family on the current Peterson property and the part of the property
now owned by the Mdewakanton Tribe known variously as The Village, Little
Sixes Village, Tentawon, et cetera. Thorp explained where the 1858 battle
occurred on his map. Discussion followed on the history of the steamboat on the
Minnesota River. Schumacher explained the disconnect between wanting to tell a
coherent story and imposing non-indigenous concepts of place on the story. Thorp
explained the expulsion of indigenous families from Eden Prairie, whereas the
Otherdays returned. Discussion followed on the Otherday property parcels.
[Devyn Stanton arrived at 7:41 p.m.]
Lau asked if the history would focus on the Otherdays, and Thorp replied he only
intended to show the information he had; crafting the story would come after an
inventory was made. Thorp stated the location of the Red Rock through time had
been adequately documented before it was offered to the Lower Sioux nation.
Discussion followed on locations on the maps such as the ferry, the Oxcart Trail,
the fire ring, and the river crossing.
Discussion followed on hiring a historian and putting out an RFP to hire someone
to write a book about the Native American history in Eden Prairie.
Schumacher stated the next steps would involve the subcommittee meeting and
returning to the commission with a proposal with a budget, and also take it before
the Historical Society. Bowes suggested including Kathie Case in the
subcommittee meeting.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. UPDATE ON TOURING MARCIA KOLB AND JOHNNY SEVERSON’S
HOME
EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION
June 17, 2024
Page 3
Schumacher stated Kolb, who had won this year, reached out. Novak-Krebs stated
the tour would be held August 19, the night of the regularly scheduled HPC
meeting, at 6:00 p.m. It was located at the south frontage road and Highway 5 in
the house built by Moran (Moran House). There would still be a short HPC
meeting that night.
VII. REPORTS OF SUBCOMMITTEES
A. NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY OUTREACH
B. NEW HERITAGE PRESERVATION SITE DESIGNATIONS
C. RENOVATION/MAINTENANCE DEVELOPMENT
D. DOCUMENTATION/HISTORICAL RECORDINGS/OUTREACH
VIII. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF
IX.. REPORTS OF HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Bowes stated there would pop up events in July 24 and August 14, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on
Lake Riley at the Dorenkemper House.
Thorp stated he had received the permit to cut buckthorn at the Depot site. He would
involve the Eden Prairie Scouts.
X. FYI ITEMS
Schumacher stated he would not be in attendance at the next two HPC meeting.
Novak-Krebs announced the new student representatives would be appointed by City
Council tomorrow (Tuesday) night and would start in September. Schumacher push for
including more juniors than seniors in the future. Lau suggested having a designated
member of the commission contact the student representatives before the first meeting.
She volunteered to do this.
XI NEXT MEETING
The next HPC meeting will be held on Monday, July 15, 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in the
Heritage Room.
XII. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION: Bowes moved, seconded by Fisher to adjourn. Motion carried 7-0. The
meeting was adjourned at 8:24 p.m.
Draft
07/8/24
Nomination for Designation
as a Heritage Preservation Site
Eden Prairie Railroad Depot
1
Summary
This report serves as the nominatfon for the Eden Prairie Railroad Depot for designatfon as a Heritage Preservatfon
Site within the City of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The report was prepared by City staff and the Heritage
Preservatfon Commission.
City Code Sectfon 11.05 Subd. 3 establishes a set of eligibility criteria for listfng a historic district, site, building, or
object as a heritage Preservatfon Site. The Eden Prairie railroad depot is eligible for listfng under Criterion 1,
“[associatfon] with events that have made a significant contributfon to the broad patterns of history.”
The report is divided into five sectfons: planning informatfon; maps, plans and photographs; physical descriptfon;
significance, and bibliography.
2
Table of Contents
1. Planning Informatfon 4
2. Site Maps and Photographs 5
3. Physical Descriptfon 22
4. Statement of Significance 23
5. Bibliography 26
3
1. Planning Information
Name
The historic name of the property being nominated is the Eden Prairie Railroad Depot.
Location
The remnants of the depot and associated structures are located approximately 500 feet northeast of Eden Prairie
Road on the north side of the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail, which was once the Minneapolis and St.
Louis Railway tracks that ran through Eden Prairie.
Boundaries
The boundary of the remnants of the depot stretches approximately 500 feet northeast from the center of Eden
Prairie Road along the north side of the Minnesota River Bluffs LRT Regional Trail. The area is approximately 40
feet wide.
Owner
The Hennepin County Regional Rail Authority owns the property.
Classification
For preservatfon planning purposes, the depot and associated structures are classified as archeological. The
structures have been demolished but remnants are stfll present. The water tank, pump house, tool house, and
depot are stfll visible on the 1937 aerial but the depot is the only structure standing in the 1945 aerial photo. The
depot is gone in the 1951 aerial photo.
Present Use
The depot historically functfoned as support for the railroad that transported raw material, goods and people at
that tfme. The buildings are gone, but remnants remain in the old railroad right-of-way. Presently, the land is
unoccupied land with landscaping.
4
2. Location Map, Site Maps, Aerial Photos and Photographs
Figure 1 – Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway line from Minneapolis through Eden Prairie to Merriam Junction.
Excerpt taken from the Railroad Commissioner’s Map of Minnesota 1919.
5
Figure 2 – Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway Line through Eden Prairie. Plat Map of 1879. (Courtesy of the Eden
Prairie Historical Society)
6
Figure 3 – Detail of plat map showing the Eden Prairie Station and railroad line - 1898 Plat Map. (Courtesy of the
Eden Prairie Historical Society)
7
Figure 4 – Location of Remnants of the Eden Prairie Depot and Associated Structures. 2022 Aerial Photo.
Provided by the City of Eden Prairie.
Figure 5 - Site Map showing the location of the depot and associated structures
on a 1917 railroad plat map. (Courtesy of the Eden Prairie Historical Society)
Figure 6 - Site Map showing the location of the depot and associated structures.
(Courtesy of the Eden Prairie Historical Society).
Depot
Privy
Water
Tank
Pump
House
Tool
House
Grainary
10
Figure 7 – Aerial photo showing the depot and associated structures in 1937. (MN Historical Aerial Photographs,
University of Minnesota Libraries).
11
Figure 8 – Aerial photo showing the depot in 1945. (Mn. Historical Aerial Photographs, University of Minnesota
Libraries).
12
Figure 9 – Looking west at the railroad depot and water tank. Date unknown. (photo from Minneapolis and St.
Louis Railroad Company Field Inspection Report)
13
Figure 10 – Looking west at the railroad depot and water tank. Date unknown. (Courtesy of the Eden Prairie
Historical Society)
14
Figure 11 - Looking east at the railroad depot. (Courtesy of the Eden Prairie Historical Society)
15
Figure 12 – Looking east at the tool house, pump house, water tank and depot. Circa 1915. (Courtesy of the
Eden Prairie Historical Society)
Figure 13 – Looking east at water tank near the depot. Circa 1915. (Courtesy of Eden Prairie Historical Society)
16
Figure 14 – Looking north at Eden Prairie Road and railroad crossing with Miller store on the left and the grain
elevator on the right in the distance. Circa 1940. (Courtesy of Eden prairie Historical Society)
Figure 15 – Creamery that was located across Eden Prairie Road from the Miller Store. Circa 1900. (Courtesy of
Eden Prairie Historical Society)
17
Figure 16: Looking east down the old railroad corridor. The tool house, pump house, water tank, and the depot
would have been off to the left. Photo taken in 2024.
18
Figure17: Looking west down the old railroad corridor, the depot would have been just to the right, the water
tower, pump house and tool house would have been west of the sidewalk in the middle ground of the photo
and Eden Prairie Road in the background. Photo taken in 2024.
19
Figure 18: Old well casing for the pump house. Photo taken in 2021. (Courtesy of Paul Thorp).
20
Figure 19: Looking east at the City’s ground reservoir with a pump house resembling the old depot and a replica
water tank. Photo taken in 2024.
City of Eden Prairie and The Heritage
Preservation Commission
8080 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
July 15, 2024
Request for Proposal (RFP)
We are excited to invite qualified historical writers
and researchers to submit their proposals for writing
a book about the history of Native Americans in Eden
Prairie. Much has been written about European
settlement of Eden Prairie but little about the Native
Americans that called this land their home.
Native American History Book Writing
Flying Cloud Drive
1
Project Description
The City of Eden Prairie is seeking a qualified consultant to write a book about the Native American
History of Eden Prairie. The Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) is interested in a book with facts
and stories about how the Native Americans lived on the land we now call Eden Prairie.
The Eden Prairie Historical Society and local residents have a wealth of information about the Native
American history of Eden Prairie, but the information needs to be assembled along with other
documented histories and the story needs to be told in a form that is readable and accessible to a wide
public audience. Several books have been written about European settlement in Eden Prairie, but not
of the Native Americans. The Heritage Preservation Commission would like to recognize and share the
history and culture of the Indigenous People that lived on the land Eden Prairie was built on.
Preliminary Research
Some areas of possible interest include those listed below. Preliminary research on these areas of
interest has been compiled by the HPC. Further research is expected to expand on the preliminary
research and determine any other areas of interest.
OTHERDAY FAMILY
LITTLE SIX VILLAGE
JOHN BLUESTONE
MURPHY’S FERRY
OXCART TRAIL
BIRCH ISLAND AREA
RED ROCK
Project Scope and Products
In addition to the topics above, we’d like the scope of the Native American History of Eden Prairie Book
to include some history or mention of:
● Upland lakes, woods, prairie, trails. What was native life away from the river?
● Sacred rocks. There were two.
● Seasonal villages on or away from the river.
● Sakpe’s village was on EP side for a short while. 1823-1839
● Miller Spring and role for Native people
● Treaties that took the land
● Hennepin Townsite
● Battle of Shakopee 1858
● 1862 march from Mankato
● Riverboat period, described only as a transition to settlement
● Railroad period, mentioned only as transition
● Survey, Eden Prairie village established, to show transition to current borders
2
Final products will be:
● Table of contents of the book
● Electronic copy of the final book
● Index of topics in the book
● List of references used in the book
The contract professional is also expected to provide the following services:
● Review of the preliminary research
● Conduct additional research pertaining to the areas of interest
● Conduct additional research as discoveries of other areas of interest are made
● Document any other research and findings
● Prepare an outline for the book and review it with the HPC
● Collect photographs and maps to include in the book
● Participate in meetings with City staff and HPC as needed
● Provide progress reports as required throughout the project.
Note: We would like to have an Indigenous person involved in the authorship or as part of a review
panel before publication.
Project and Consultant/Contractor Professional Standards
The City will retain the services of a qualified consultant/contractor who meets the Secretary of The
Interior's Professional Qualification Standards in the Federal Register of 9-29-83. All activities related
to this project will be done under the direction of professionally qualified personnel, and in
coordination with the Eden Prairie Heritage Preservation Commission. City staff will be responsible for
administration and coordination of the project's activities. The City will provide professional staff
support throughout the project.
Consultant/Contractor Selection Process
The City’s Heritage Preservation Commission will evaluate all responses to the RFP that meet the
submittal requirements and deadline. Those submittals that do not meet the requirements or deadline
will not be considered. The HPC may arrange interviews with the finalists prior to selecting a consultant.
The City will use the following submittal requirements to evaluate the proposals:
● Professional qualifications of those who meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards.
● Experience, especially in the areas of historic research and writing.
● Writing samples.
● Demonstrated ability to complete projects within the proposed timeframe.
● Proposed budget breakdown.
● Proposed schedule.
● References.
3
Project Schedule
The consultant will be responsible to submit progress reports requested by the City. The project
schedule is estimated as follows:
● Start: Begin project and share project schedule.
● 1-2 months: meet and discuss proposed outline
● 3-12 months: Meet with the staff and HPC and Historical Society as needed.
● 6 months: Meet with the HPC to discuss progress on the project.
● 12 months: End project and submit final products.
● 12 months: Present the final product to the HPC, the Historical Society and the City Council.
Proposal Deadline
Proposals are due by November 1, 2024
Deliver To
City of Eden Prairie
Heritage Preservation Commission
Attn: Beth Novak-Krebs, staff liaison to HPC
8080 Mitchell Road
Eden Prairie, MN 55344
Please direct any questions about this RFP to Beth Novak-Krebs at 952-949-8490, or you may e-mail to:
bnovakkrebs@edenprairie.org