Prince’s ghostly presence lingers. That’s what they say. Right here in Harrison.
Harrison a Minneapolis neighborhood holds a fascinating history. It began forming in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Many of its early residents were Finnish Americans. For decades from around 1900 to 1960 Harrison was known as Finn Town.
But Harrison’s story isn’t just about Finns. It’s a story of change and evolution. By the 1960s its Finnish identity faded. The neighborhood became increasingly diverse. Many African Americans moved to Harrison. Later Hmong Lao Somali and Latino immigrants and refugees settled here.
This multi-ethnic tapestry is woven into the very fabric of Harrison. This is seen in its vibrant culture and its unique character. The neighborhood also bears the scars of its past. In the 1920s the Warden Oil Company began operations here. It left behind a legacy of soil and water contamination. The Chemical Marketing Corporation also polluted the land. Both sites are now part of the Superfund program.
Yet amidst this complex history Harrison thrives. The spirit of its residents endures. They’ve faced hardship. They’ve faced discrimination. They’ve faced environmental challenges. But they remain. They persevere. They build. They share their stories.
And a pivotal part of Harrison’s narrative is Prince. The music icon Prince spent his childhood years here. He lived at 1707 Glenwood Avenue and 539 Newton Avenue North. He continued to visit his father’s home in Harrison well into his career. The legacy of this musical genius resonates throughout the neighborhood. His presence is palpable a spectral echo in the streets.
Harrison is a place of contrasts. It’s a place of resilience a place of hardship a place of beauty a place of music. It’s a place where history whispers its secrets. And where the echoes of Prince’s songs still linger in the air. A neighborhood that continues to evolve its story unfolds one day at a time. Walk these streets and feel the spirit of Harrison.