Lilac Way Timeline, 1928 - 19__
1928
Engineer Carl Graeser appeared before St. Louis Park Village Council for consent
April 5, 1928 – Highway Engineer Carl Graeser appeared before the St. Louis Park Village Council to obtain consent to the plans and specs for Highway 5 (100).
1930
Highway 100 planning begins
It was to be built along 12.5 miles between Highway 5 (78th Street) in Edina and Highway 52 (now Highway 81) in Robbinsdale.
1931
Journal proposes ‘Lilac Way’ to attract tourists
Inspired by crowds of tourists at Washington, D.C.’s cherry blossoms, the Minneapolis Journal proposed planting lilacs along the new Highway 100.
Officials agree on plans to construct Belt Line
July 23, 1931, Minneapolis Journal. State and county officials had agreed on plans to construct Belt Line road along its western limits.
1932
Graeser presents Lilac Way plans
July 20, 1932. Engineer Carl Graeser presented the Highway Department’s plans for Highways 7 and 100.
1933
Route survey done
The survey was taken using two crews, one truck and World War I equipment.
1934
Highway 100 construction begins
Highway 100 construction starts between Highway 5 in Edina and Highway 52 (now Highway 81) in Robbinsdale
Grading started
The County started grading the first section of the new highway, which ran from Excelsior Blvd. south to 50th Street/Vernon Ave. in Edina.
1935
WPA took over unfinished projects of the FERA
January, 1935. The WPA provided employment to thousands of construction and landscaping laborers. Machinery replaced hand picks used in 1934 and the number of Minneapolis applicants was not reduced. Construction increased from 20,000 to 120,000 yards per month.
Phase two of highway begins
The second phase of the highway was begun between Excelsior Boulevard and Wayzata Boulevard. Works Progress Administration (WPA) in January 1935, taking over unfinished projects of the FERA, which ended in June 1935. Construction was speeded up from 20,000 yards per month to 120,000 yards per month.
4,500 Men’s Bureau clients given physical examinations
Approximately 3,000 qualified to work on the largest Federal work relief project in MN.
Highway Department Approves ‘Lilac Way’
July 28, 1935 The Minneapolis Journal’s headline proclaimed “Highway Department Approves ‘Lilac Way’ West of City, Journal’s Plan for Beautifying Belt Line OK’d.”
First lilacs planted
The first lilac plantings, over 3,500, were made along two miles of highway between Glenwood Ave. and Medicine Lake Road in December 1935.
1936
Soo Line overpass constructed at Highway 7
Actually two bridges spaced 10 ft. apart, they were described as “Vaguely Art Moderne in appearance, each pier has a raised vertical panel with streamlined vertical moldings at the center.”
1937
3.7 miles between Wayzata Blvd. and Robbinsdale had been graded
By January 1, 1937, 3.7 miles between Wayzata Blvd. and Robbinsdale had been graded, representing 1.2 million cubic yards of excavation.
By 1937, approximately 1,500 men were working on the project every day
1,500 men working on Highway 100 every day
By 1937, approximately 1,500 men were working on the project every day. As the largest Federal work relief project in the state, the building of the belt line provided an immediate boost to the economy. approximately 1,500 men were working on the project every day. Its biggest year was 1938.…
One section of new Belt Line Highway opened
The opening of (one section of) the new Belt Line Highway was celebrated with a picnic in July, sponsored by the Golden Valley Commercial Club. Thousands gathered for sports events, a kangaroo court, and fireworks. The event also celebrated the renaming of Sixth Avenue North as Floyd B. Olson Highway,…
Highway Commissioner calls Lilac Way “one of the most beautiful in the world”
August 1937: The highway was not complete. However, the Minneapolis Journal reported that work was going to be accelerated so that it could be open between Excelsior Blvd. and Robbinsdale before winter. The State highway department said that the project would definitely be completed by 1938. Two bridges had yet to be…
Wayzata Boulevard Cloverleaf opens
As promised, the cloverleaf at Wayzata Blvd. was ready for business on November 26, 1937 – construction had started on June 20.
1938
Only bridges at Highway 7 and Minnetonka Blvd. need to be completed
As of January 1938, the bridges at Highway 7 and Minnetonka Blvd. were the only things to stand in the way of the opening of the new highway. It is now being referred to as Highway 100. An article claimed that an eight-foot sidewalk for pedestrians would border the highway,…
Highway Commissioner Elsberg calls Lilac Way “one of the most beautiful in the world”
January 30, 1938, Nels W. Elsberg, Minneapolis City Engineer and Minnesota State Highway Commissioner, states that the new section of highway was not only safer than earlier roads in the state, but nothing less than “one of the most beautiful in the world” (Minneapolis Journal).
1939
Golden Valley Garden Club starts lilac fundraiser
Selling lilacs for fifteen cents each, they raised enough money to purchase almost 8,000 lilacs to beautify new Highway 100 roadway
Highway 7 cloverleaf opened
1939 the cloverleaf at Highway 7 was opened, requiring 30 acres and cost $65,000
Overpasses completed
The Highway 7 and Minnetonka Blvd. overpasses were completed.
1941
Original Highway 100 completed
Work on the Original Highway 100 was completed in 1941. With the onset of World War II, workers and materials were diverted to the war effort.
Original section of the Belt Line completed
With the onset of World War II, workers and materials were diverted to the war effort.
1942
Construction is completed
Included more than 7,000 bushes of 12 varieties of lilacs and thousands of other shrubs, vines, and trees.
1944
Carl Graeser dies of heart attack
March 15, 1944. Carl F. Graeser, Chief Engineer of Highway 100 and Lilac Way was found dead at the wheel of this car shortly after he had driven it from his garage. He was 70 years old.
1950
Highways and roads combined for a 66-mile route around Twin Cities
In 1950, the Highway Department combined new highways and existing roads to form a 66-mile radial route around Minneapolis and St. Paul. For 15 years, this entire Belt Line was also known as Highway 100. The road was especially rough in South St. Paul, where it was comprised mostly of…
Never-ending traffic jams at Highway 100 and Excelsior Blvd
In June 1950, the St. Louis Park Village Engineer was told to check with MN State Highway Department regarding relief from the perennial traffic jam at Highway 100 and Excelsior Blvd. near Excelsior Boulevard Park.
1951
20,313 vehicles counted traveling on Highway 100
On one day in July 1951, 20,313 vehicles were counted traveling down Highway 100 north of Excelsior Blvd. At that time the speed limit on 100 was 50 mph.
1959
Glenwood Avenue Roadside Park razed
It was removed for Highway 100 road construction.
1969
Excelsior Blvd. Park razed for road construction
When Hwy. 100 and Excelsior Blvd. became the deadliest intersection in the State. When they were separated in June 1969, Lilac Way’s Excelsior Blvd. Roadside Park was razed.
2007
St. Louis Park starts planning Lilac Park restoration
2008
St. Louis Park moves beehive fireplace
The beehive fireplace was moved from the original Lilac Park at Minnetonka Blvd/Hwy 100 to the new Lilac Park (formerly known as Roadside Park) at Highways 7 and 100, near Nordic Ware.