VIDEO: Remembering When Cruising Hopkins Was the Thing to Do
Driving up and down Mainstreet was once a popular pastime in a community known as a 'cars and bars' town.
When it comes to transportation in Hopkins, there’s a lot of talk about the upcoming Southwest Light Rail line, the regional trails for cyclists and the paths that make Hopkins the third most walkable community in Minnesota. But for a time, transportation in Hopkins was all about cars. The city had a reputation as a “cars and bars” town, with teens cruising Mainstreet every weekend. Along the thoroughfare, which used to be called Excelsior Boulevard and Excelsior Avenue West, there were six major car dealer show rooms and 12 car sales lots in 1962. That same year, Hopkins boasted $1,200 in new car sales per capita compared to Minneapolis’ $200, according to Hopkins Through the Years, a Hopkins Historical Society book. According to the …
Russell Jones
1:23 am on Friday, April 26, 2013
Well Howdy Jeni! Do you remember me? I remember you, "Dimples" on the CB Radio. I was "Panther" or "N.E. Panther" depending on which you remember. Cruising Hopkins was a whole lot more fun with the CB turned on. :) more ›