Located in downtown Minneapolis just north of Saint Anthony falls on the Mississippi river, Nicollet Island was once a major industrial and residential area of the city. The falls powered the early sawmills and other industries that dominated the south end of the island. Prior to the arrival of European settlement, the native Sioux community used the island as a birthing site. The island is also the site of the first permanent bridge to cross the Mississippi.

In the mid-twentieth century the area became economically depressed, and ideas were sought for redevelopment. In the 1970’s the park board put forth a plan to redevelop a significant portion of the island as green space. A few of the industrial buildings have been preserved as the Nicollet Island Inn and the Park Pavilion, as well as many of the original residential buildings.

Nicollet Island is an easy place to visit from down town Minneapolis as well as the nearby Saint Anthony Main and Near Northeast commercial areas.

Park Page

Location