Cast-off Waterworks cast iron frames Minneapolis garden

Meticulous salvage of the 1871 Minneapolis Waterworks resulted in this cast-iron framing of our favorite south Minneapolis garden. The former pump station pulled water from the Mississippi for thirsty citizens.

Photos by Stan Rolfsurd

Over the years, Kathleen has driven past this setting near 42nd and Garfield on her way to see her daughter Marcy. She's seen it in all seasons, always admiring its stunning beauty and commenting profusely on its contribution to the neighborhood.
Yesterday Stan had heard enough, pulled the car over, and set up a photograph with his passengers. The commotion drew the attention of the homeowner and at long last we had a chance to meet the man who put this together.

Marcy, Kathleen and Preston beside corner garden

Preston was appreciative of our admiring remarks, but understandably, we're not the first to make them. A retired employee of the Minneapolis public works department, he good-naturedly explained how he claimed, cleaned and repurposed the cast iron remnants of the water plant, being careful to point out that he purchased them from the contractor who was razing it. He acquired the discarded parts for cheap almost 30 years ago, and there has been plenty of labor before his garden spot was completed.
There's much painstaking annual maintenance, of course, but the neighborhood gem flourishes year after year. . . and now we know of the man who does it.

Here's historic background:
"In 1871, Minneapolis built the first public waterworks in Minnesota to pump water from the Mississippi River. The city's attempts to provide clean, safe water led to decades of efforts to improve and expand the waterworks.

East side water pumping station on the Mississippi.
Is this where Preston's cast iron came from?
We wonder.

In 1867, the Minnesota Legislature expanded the Minneapolis city limits. With a population of 17,000 Minneapolis was suddenly the largest city in the state. At the time Chicago was the model for modern cities. Other cities were copying Chicago's state-of-the-art water and sanitation systems. Minneapolis had no public utilities and the waterworks were needed to support its growth."

This information, written up by John Anfinson -- an old friend and historian, appears on this website. Read more here: