Downtown: Minneapolis in the 1970s

by Mike Evangelist (Photographs), Andy Sturdevant (Text)

Dayton’s was in its prime, the new Nicollet Mall was full of people, the Foshay Tower was still king, and the IDS Center was beginning its rise. Bustling sidewalks teamed with shoppers and businessmen, young and old, no matter what the weather, because the skyway system was just being born. Downtown Minneapolis in the early 1970s was a scene. Mike Evangelist, a seventeen-year-old from the suburbs, found everything about the city to be amazing. This “introvert with a camera” turned his lens to the scenes around him—young women hitching a ride, a disabled vet selling pencils, stylish shoppers strolling Nicollet Mall, once-grand movie houses on Hennepin Avenue—capturing a vibrant and rapidly changing city. Forty years later, he has unearthed this trove of images that vividly reflect a memorable time in Minneapolis. Writer and artist Andy Sturdevant, who has been called “the preeminent wit, flaneur, and psycho-historian of the Twin Cities,” explores these streets as a congenial companion, commenting with a sharp eye and thoughtful insights.  Do you miss the seventies? Did you miss the seventies? Downtown takes you there.

Mike Evangelist is an enthusiastic photographer and marketing executive specializing in high technology products. Andy Sturdevant, an artist, writer, and arts administrator, writes about art, history, and culture for a variety of Twin Cities–based publications and websites.

Genres: History, Photography

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2015

Reviews

[J. Allen Nelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot of fun -- especially for anyone who remembers the decade. I was just a child but have memories of the new tall skyscraper (IDS Tower); the photos of the long-ago fountains on the mall remind me of being five years old looking down from the observation deck and being able to see them from way above!
A joy for those who enjoy photography, and cityscapes that no longer exist. . . .

[Cyndy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I made many trips to Minneapolis in the early 1970's. So it feels very nostalgic to go through this book. Captures an era. (dates are approximate)

[Bob Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Text at the beginning of the book sets up the rest of the book, which includes loads of fascinating pictures of Minneapolis back in the day. Fun read!

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truly a photography book - virtually no text - and an enjoyable glance at historical Minneapolis. Working and living downtown, I can recognize some things in the photos, but a lot is completely different - particularly along Nicollet. A lot of the urban fabric along Hennepin is still extant (except Block E of course). Fun way to spend an hour or two.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nostalgia trip for me. I moved to Minneapolis midway through the period covered by Evangelist's photos. The photo inside the cover shows "Clockwork Orange" at the World Theater. I saw it there at about the same time the photo was taken. Three of us had to take three separate seats scattered around the audience.

[Jeanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is what I'd call a "coffee table" book full of lots of photos. I didn't grow up in Minneapolis but it was interesting to see what it looked like in the '70s. The text gives additional insight into what it was like in downtown at that time.

[Kelsey Baguinat · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very interesting to see how much downtown has changed since the 70s. Great photos!

[Rachel Coyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pretty terrific. My only complaint was I wanted more.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing photos of Downtown Minneapolis in the 1970s. The photos transport you back in time. Great photos and wonderful narrative.

[Kathryn Cyriacks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book - if you live or have lived in Minneapolis, you will thoroughly enjoy it!

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome pictorial of Minneapolis in the 70s. A must-have book for anyone who lived there in that era.

[Evonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Birthday gift for my 1970's photographer husband! Fun to see the street scenes of the era.