Is it possible for a place to be both a suburb and a world of its own? Columbia Heights is such a place. Today we explore Columbia Heights. This city in Anoka County holds stories within its 3.52 square miles.
Columbia Heights has a population of over 21,000. It is a first-ring northern suburb of Minneapolis. The city was formed as a village on March 14, 1898. It separated from the former Fridley Township. On July 21, 1921, the Charter of the City of Columbia Heights was adopted and the city was formed.
The heart of Columbia Heights beats at 40th Avenue NE and Central Avenue. Here, you will find the Heights Theater, county offices and the Public Library. Central Avenue is a bustling commercial district.
Did you know Columbia Heights almost had a different name? In 1892, the Minneapolis Improvement Company Northeast held a naming contest. Olive Louise Thornbergh won a $150 prize in gold for submitting the name Columbia Heights. Fairview Park and Hazel Heights were the runners-up.
Columbia Heights has a unique connection to Poland. A Polish flag and white eagle mark the border with Minneapolis. This celebrates the city’s early roots as a Polish-American community. In 1991, Columbia Heights became a Sister City with Łomianki, Poland. This bond is special. In 1944, a plane of Allied flyers was shot down near Łomianki during the Warsaw uprising. The brother of a Columbia Heights resident was on that mission.
Let’s talk about transportation in Columbia Heights. Thomas Lowry played a key role. He extended a double streetcar track on Central Ave. It ran from 29th to 40th Avenues. A single track then went along 40th Ave. to 5th St. This established the intersection of 40th and Central as the city’s nucleus. Imagine paying only five cents for a streetcar ride.
Columbia Heights has a surprising connection to Abraham Lincoln. Thomas Lowry bought Lincoln’s funeral car in 1905. He used it as a sales office and curiosity. Sadly, the car was destroyed by a fire in 1911.
Parks are very important to Columbia Heights. Huset Park was the first park. It was originally called City Park. It was renamed for Elmer Huset. He was a Lutheran minister and city manager. Prestemon, Gauvitte and McKenna Parks are named for the first city council members in 1921. Ava Ostrander, the first woman elected to the council in 1924, also has a park named after her.
Many notable people have called Columbia Heights home. John Alt played football for the Kansas City Chiefs. Earl Bakken invented the first wearable pacemaker. James D. La Belle was a Medal of Honor recipient. Pat Proft is a screenwriter and movie producer.
Columbia Heights continues to evolve. In 2023, it formed a second Sister City with Galdogob, Somalia. This reflects its growing Somali American population. In 2016, Columbia Heights received the All-American City Award.
As we conclude our visit to Columbia Heights, remember its story. It is a story of community and resilience. It is a story of connection and innovation.