Even as I write this, Island Station Power Plant, built in the 1920’s and the scene of my Fall photo-shoot and escapade, is being torn down. The city of St. Paul, its council deadlocked on preservation, ended up selling the plant to a developer. The grand dame on the river, home to all manner of folks- including artists- will soon be a ghost. My “if I had a few million, I would create a new art colony” fantasy is truly just that.
West Seventh Freelance 
I hate to see old buildings torn down, especially in the name of progress. I always loved seeing the power plant whenever I biked or ran along the river.
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It’s too bad. It’s very hard for old places to be preserved because every interested group has their own idea of what they’d like to see.
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The nature of the beast . . . the building looks so sad and lonely sitting there surrounded by the lovely autumn colours.
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:*( “They” blew it up this weekend…I stayed far away. I may go back to try and photograph the ruins- though I suspect it will be cleared away quickly. I will always remember climbing to the roof and taking in that great view…
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I can see why you were so distraught……..That was One Big Beauty…..
All cool pics, but I particularly like the interior shots….I’m seriously considering a bit of breaking and entering before the Hippodrome bites the dust….
If I get arrested I might cite you as an influence.
🙂
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Please do!!
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How about bail money?
🙂
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I think the Missus will have to post the cash…but I am still willing to be known as the ‘influencer’ 🙂
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🙂
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“If I had a few million…” My thoughts exactly. This was such a beautiful building. I would jog by it and dream up such great plans for it. I just needed to figure out the becoming a millionaire part.
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I really need to investigate ‘what’s next’ for that site…I have not been down there in several months. Do you know?
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I live in Omaha now. I only found out about this yesterday when I was looking at the aerial view in Google Maps and saw a big rectangular hole. I found this article: http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_25355143/st-paul-smokestack-explodes-minimal-smoke but it doesn’t mention future plans.
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