LilacWay_beehivelilacsign-icon-2

Discover the story of Lilac Way.

The Lilac Way section of Highway 100 in Minneapolis has a great history.

It includes beehive-shaped fireplaces, seven parks, the Great Depression, a garden club, and thousands of lilacs.

Created in 1939, it’s still treasured today.

lilacway-lilac-iconWhat was Lilac Way?

Built in the late 1930’s, Lilac Way was a 12.5 mile stretch of Highway 100 between Highway 52 (now 81) in Robbinsdale, and Highway 5 (78th Street) in Edina.

lilacway-lilac-iconWhy was Highway 100 called Lilac Way?

Inspired by the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., in 1935 a local newspaper encouraged the MN Highway Department to plant lilacs along the new Highway 100. They agreed, and a garden club helped raise money.

Beehive Fireplaces
Roadside Parks
Restored Lilac Park
MnDOT’s Commitment

Where were the seven Lilac Way parks located on Highway 100?

If you grew up in the area, you probably remember the roadside parks with ‘Fred Flintstone’-style picnic tables. The barbecue fireplaces had rounded tops, and were nicknamed ‘The Beehives.”

Only two of the seven parks remain today. Sadly, the other five parks were razed for Highway 100 reconstruction.

Check out the map to see their locations and get more info.

Browse the photo albums.

Start at the main album page, see the beehive fireplace design and how Highway 100 and Lilac Way were built.

RESTORED: Lilac Park (formerly Roadside Park)

St. Louis Park, MN

NEEDS TO BE RESTORED: Graeser Park

Robbinsdale, MN

NEEDS TO BE RESTORED: Graeser Park

Robbinsdale, MN

Join the groundswell to restore Graeser Park.

One of only two beehive fireplaces left in the U.S. is located in Graeser Park in Robbinsdale, Minnesota.

Hand-built in 1939 by unemployed stonemasons as part of Lilac Way, this rare and historical beehive fireplace desperately needs to be preserved.

St. Louis Park, Minnesota has restored the other beehive, now in Lilac Park.

Encourage St. Louis Park’s City Council to save Rock Island.

This 1939 Rock Island used to be part of the large original Lilac Park on Minnetonka Boulevard in St. Louis Park, Minnesota.

Also known as Monkey Island and Hidden Park, the large rock garden on the North end of park is hidden by a noise wall. We’d like the City of St. Louis Park to request that MnDOT transfer owner to SLP, so it can be restored.

In 2008, the beehive fireplace in the South section of the original Lilac Park was moved and restored.

Become part of the Lilac Way Storytellers.