Anoka, Minnesota, wears its nickname proudly as the Halloween Capital of the World, with celebrations stretching well beyond a single night. A short walk from downtown shops like Amore Antiques, another piece of local history sits along the Rum River: a small, century-old stone house that residents still treat as part of the town’s backdrop.
According to the Anoka County Historical Society, the structure traces back to Thaddeus Philander Giddings, whose property once included a garden and a stone hangout space built for family and friends. The site included a fireplace and a small stage, and historic photos show details like a water wheel. Giddings, the music superintendent for Minneapolis schools, even brought music to the riverbank with a piano as part of the setup.
The stone house also carries a hard truth about building near water. Giddings built three similar stone structures in the area, which he called igloos. Two disappeared after years of weather and water damage. The remaining stone house still faces the river up close, with floodwater running through it at times, yet it continues to stand.
For mason contractors, stories like this put real-world meaning behind durability and maintenance. A community landmark does not stay upright for decades on good intentions alone. Anoka has made efforts over the years to save and maintain the stone structure, keeping a small piece of craftsmanship in place for the next generation of residents who wander the river.
Giddings’ stone house sits near Ferry Street in downtown Anoka.
Read the full, original article from Channel 3000 here.