What to See in Anoka - Top Sights and Attractions

Open-spandrel arch bridge in Anoka, Minnesota. The Anoka–Champlin Mississippi River Bridge, also known as the Ferry Street Bridge, is a 10-span open spandrel concrete deck arch bridge that spans the Mississippi River between Anoka and Champlin, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1929 by the Minneapolis Bridge Company, replacing an 1884 bridge at the same site.

The bridge was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for its state-level significance in the themes of commerce and engineering. It was nominated for exemplifying the open-spandrel concrete arch bridges developed in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul area in the late 1920s, and for providing a key physical connection between two river communities with longstanding economic ties.^[1]

Building in Anoka, Minnesota. The Jackson Hotel is an historic building in Anoka, Minnesota, United States.

The hotel was built in 1884 during the rebuilding of downtown Anoka after a fire. The hotel operated from 1884 through 1975 and played a central role in Anoka's commerce. It was located at the hub of water, rail, and overland trade routes, and served a variety of travelers.

The Jackson Hotel first served farmers and loggers who brought their goods to Anoka for sale. It later served traveling businessmen, politicians, photographers, lecturers, entertainers, and tourists. Traveling salesmen also used the hotel's sample room as a showroom and office.

The hotel had a reputation as the leading hotel in Anoka and one of the best hotels in Minnesota.

The Jackson Hotel building was built in five sections at different times. The two-story center section, built in 1884, bears the name of its builder, C.G. Jackson. In 1885 a two-story brick addition was built to the rear of the center section. In 1888 a large three-story brick addition was built on the west side, and another three-story addition was built on the east side several years later. All three sections facing Jackson Street are built of red brick.^[3]

Building in Anoka, Minnesota. Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No. 30 consists of two historic buildings located at 1900 3rd Avenue, South in Anoka, Minnesota. Both were owned by Anoka Lodge No 30 AF & AM, which was chartered on October 25, 1859. Colonial Hall, also known as the Aldrich House for its association with the house's first owners and occupants, local medical and civil leaders Dr. Alanson and Dr. Flora Aldrich, is a two-story wooden building built in 1904 in a combination of Colonial Revival and Greek Revival styles by local renowned architect Fredrick Marsh. The Aldrich House was purchased by the Anoka Lodge in 1921, and in 1922, construction began on the present two-story redbrick Masonic temple, which is located behind but to the north of the Colonial Hall. Designed and built in the Georgian Revival style, it was completed and occupied in 1923.

On December 31, 1979, Colonial Hall and Masonic Lodge No. 30 was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In the 1980s, the Anoka County Historical Society's offices and library were housed in Colonial Hall. As of July 2019, Anoka Lodge No. 30 was still meeting in the Lodge hall twice per month, along with Anoka-Shekinah Royal Arch Chapter #104, Zabud Cryptic Council #10, Order of the Eastern Star Marthas Chapter, Job's Daughters Bethel 48, and Anoka DeMolay Chapter.

In December 2012 the decision was made to sell Colonial Hall to a private party for restoration.

In 2016, Colonial Hall is occupied by a tenant, The Big White House, an antiques store.^[4]