Mankato, MN
Saturday, September 2, 2023
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The individual photos and descriptions can be seen below.
Today we returned to Mankato, MN to take in their wonderful street art and take some B&W images of the art.
But first, we visited Once Read Used Book Store on S. Front St.
For a city about half the size of Rochester, Mankato definitely has a more artistic vibe and that starts with a high-quality used book store; something we sorely lack in Rochester.
The gentleman working the store - I assume from the way he spoke was the owner - was very nice and helpful. I really wish we had something like this closer to home.
Again, the street art in Mankato is simply impressive. It ranges from all these sculptures - and many more not shown here - to fantastic wall murals.
Using B&W on this image really allows the viewer to eliminate the distraction of color and appreciate the texture of the material the sculpture is made of.
Mankato has a riverwalk trail along the Minnesota River. This is a view of the mural-covered grain elevators from under the Belgrade Avenue bridge.
Some day, when it isn’t so hot, we are going to need to walk more on the Minnesota River Trail. Today was in the upper 90’s and there is nothing for shade on the trail along the river.
Even these cement barriers - erected to block the view of a scrap metal yard - are mural-covered.
This is the scrap metal yard, adjacent to the railway, on the industrial side of town.
Murals are everywhere. The skill to paint on this scale is amazing to me.
This image of the grain elevator mural is from the Belgrade Ave Bridge.
This character is made entirely of wooden reeds.
I like the reflexion off this all glass-fronted building.
Some of the art is a bit abstract and strange for sure. But, it is fun nonetheless.
The Dutch angle seemed the appropriate composition for this angled structure.
The block surrounding the Mankato Civic Center is particularly replete with sculptures.
The exterior wall of the Civic Center Grand Hall.
Fox chasing pheasants on Civic Center Plaza.
After leaving downtown, we took in Minneopa State Park. We were amazed to see the falls completely dry!! Yes, it has been a dry year, but we surely didn’t expect the falls to be completely empty. If you go back to our previous trip to Mankato and look at the photos from May 20th, you will see this waterfall during the spring when there was actually flooding. What an incredible difference.
Below the falls, there is the slightest little trickle of a stream. When we last visited here in May, this entire lower falls area was closed due to the flooding. Where we are standing for this photo was completely under water back then.
Immediately below the falls, looking up at the walkway.
These stairs, from the upper to the lower observation points, were built as a WPA project in the great depression.
The smaller upper falls area is just a dry.
These old corn silos at Crystal Valley Coop in Janesville, MN are in the process of being demolished.
The wrecking balls being used to demolish the cement silos. The crane in the background is attached to the heavy chain used to swing the ball.
In the foreground is the tangled steel rebar they are removing from the cement as the silo is demolished.
The old railway siding pulls up below the grain shoots where they would load the rail cars.
