Banfill Tavern, Greek Revival building in Fridley, Minnesota.
The Banfill Tavern is a Greek Revival building in Fridley, Minnesota, distinguished by six-over-six pane double-hung windows, sidelights, a transom, and brick chimneys that define its architectural character. The structure follows an L-shaped floor plan typical of inns from this period.
John Banfill constructed this establishment in 1847 near Minnesota's first Territorial Road, where it served as an inn and operational base for the region's logging activities. The building played a vital role in supporting early economic development along this crucial route.
The building retains its original layout with a large communal room on the first floor where guests gathered, while the upper level contains multiple interconnected rooms that served both residential and work functions. This arrangement reflects how travelers and staff shared space during the era when the place operated as a public inn.
The building stands within Manomin County Park and is accessible to visitors interested in exploring local architecture and history. The park setting provides a pleasant environment for walking and understanding the area's early settlement patterns.
Between 1912 and 1967, the family-owned property functioned as both a summer residence and a Jersey cattle breeding operation, representing an unexpected chapter in the site's history. This transformation reveals how pioneering inns were later adapted for private rural use.
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