Mention the Northside of Minneapolis and many people will automatically associate the area with crime, housing deterioration, and other negative factors – if they have any picture of the Camden – Webber – Fallwell neighborhood at all. It’s that foreign land in between downtown and Brooklyn Center that people don’t go to.
But that is simply the wrong way to see this vibrant community. In a recent article in the Minneapolis Saint Paul Business Journal, author Ethan Nelson describes North Minneapolis as a place where wealth is surging. This shouldn’t be surprising. North Minneapolis is a place people in the know want to be. Why? North Minneapolis has historically welcomed diversity while also making a community out of diversity. It has the widest range of people different from each other in any way you can think – race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age, religion, language, education, disability. You name it and North Minneapolis has “those” people. There is both a “live and let live” but also an overarching understanding that you belong if you are Northside. Because you are not “from” the Northside – you are Northside.
You can hear it when you go to a meeting. Things get tense among different groups, and then someone says, “Northside” and everyone echoes back “Northside.” A reminder that everyone belongs, even if they are different. Who would not want to be in a place like this?
I grew up in north Minneapolis in the Camden neighborhood in the 1950’s and 1960’s. I lived in this mixing of cultures and watched it be an incubator for amazing people. I wanted to tell some of the stories of people I grew up with to show what the Northside culture produces. I call them “the colorful characters“ because many were exactly that. Some were artists, some were athletes, some were tough guys, some were clergy, some were savvy businesspeople. They were all Northside.
Paul Miterko – Dunwoody graduate, architect who helped design the Target Center, home of the Timberwolves and Lynx.
If you met Paul Miterko on the street, you never would guess that he was a prominent architect. He came across more like a character out of the Mayberry television series, tall and gangly. Paul aspired at one time to be a priest, but was a lifelong ardent Catholic, attending yearly retreats at the local Jesuit center. At first, he designed cars for General Motors but eventually shifted to architecture, design of the Target Center in downtown.
Rodger, John and Neil Brodin – sculptors celebrating police and fire fighters. Designed the Humphrey statue outside Minneapolis City Hall.
Brothers John, Neil and Rodger Brodin established Brodin Studio to produce custom bronze statues sculpted for law enforcement, fire, military and public figures. Neil and John were both Minneapolis police officers. Rodger was a former Marine. Roger also was the sculptor working in bronze who designed the statue of Hubert Humphrey that now sits outside of City Hall. Rodger and John have since passed away, but their studio continues.
Jim Johnson legendary lead guitarist for the Underbeats and Gypsy.
Jim Johnson was one of the founders of the Minneapolis rock group the Underbeats and later formed the group Gypsy, who was the house band at the Whisky-A-Go Go on The Sunset Strip in West Hollywood. He was described by contemporaries as a “monster guitar player” and talented song writer. His band opened for the Beatles at Met Stadium in 1965, at their one performance in Minnesota. When he moved to the West Coast, he was on a first name basis with many of the top performers, playing with Ray Charles.
Warren Knight – internationally acclaimed painter, famous in Australia
Warren Knight, better known as “Warney” had been a top athlete at Patrick Henry, playing football and wrestling. Warney was my sister’s age, and because we were both wrestlers, we became good friends. He later left North and moved to Australia where he became a celebrated artist. His art is both in the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.
Larry Moskalik Deputy fire chief, classic car collector
Larry joined the Minneapolis Fire Department, where he worked with my father, and later served as deputy fire chief. But his real passion was collecting and restoring classic automobiles. Many of his cars have been displayed at Back to the 50’s.
Gary Chesner – former deputy superintendent of Minneapolis Public schools, Patrick Henry Hall of Fame athlete
Chesner started Patrick Henry as a freshman, and quickly proved his athletic prowess. By his senior year, he was captain of the baseball, basketball, and football team. He was named to the Patrick Henry Hall of Fame. Based on his Patrick Henry experience, Chesner was inspired by his teachers and coaches to become a teacher. And after earning his master’s degree, he became the assistant superintendent of Minneapolis Public Schools.
Vann Clipper – Tough guy and collector of Italian sculptures
Vann Clipper was a star wrestler and football player for Patrick Henry. Also the guy you wanted in a fight. Vann was scheduled to wrestle another “tough guy” – John Brodin, at Henry High, and the match filled the gym bleachers.
Long after graduating high school, I stopped at his house on 26th Avenue North. I was amazed that this “tough guy” had a collection of Italian sculptures. Many people may not remember but Dayton’s had “Gallery 12.” which had been a powerhouse nationally in the art world. Vann told me that Dayton’s had acquired them for a display, but eventually wanted to move away from classical art to more contemporary art. So now he had a sculpture garden in his front yard.
Mel Northway basketball legend at Patrick Henry, starred at U of M, drafted by NBA.
Mel Northway played in 72 games for the Gophers and made his mark in span. The 6-foot, 8-inch center averaged 13.6 points and 11.7 rebounds and scored 976 career points and 841 rebounds.
Northway was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks in 1965 and after a coaching stint at Anoka Ramsey Junior College, went on to play professionally in Belgium.
Bruce Bastien – Author of “Thirteen Months in the Bush” autobiography of a marine in ‘Vietnam
Bastien was an athlete at Patrick Henry, but then enlisted with the Marines during the Vietnam War. He was in Vietnam for 13 months, including 1968, when some of the fighting was its fiercest. He then came back and wrote a book about it. This made what was happening in Vietnam real, with its detailed descriptions about what exactly it was like to fight in Vietnam. It was books like this that led to the end of the war.
Summary
Newcomers to the Twin Cities should take a careful look at Camden. The community still has much to offer. Residents still take pride in a neighborhood with such a rich history. Few communities have contributed so much to the metro area and yet remain nearly invisible.
