ELDERLY HOUSING AND CARE FACILITIES

This chronology represents just bits and pieces of the history of elderly care facilities in St. Louis Park.  Know more?  Please contact us.

Village Council minutes from 1900 show that the Village paid $10 to the NLD (?) for the care of Mrs. Holt. There was also mention of an Old Ladies Home on Rye Road, but we know of no such road in St. Louis Park.

The stately mansion at 4500 Minnetonka Blvd. started off its life in 1920 or 1924 as the Star of Bethlehem Home. This was probably what used to be called an “old folks’ home,” not a nursing home in the strict sense. In the 1950’s, it was used more as a hospice. It was sold in 1964.
 

Park Nursing Home was built at 4415 36-1/2 Street W in 1949. A 28-bed wing was built in 1974. It is now called Park Health and Rehabilitation Center. The ad at right is from 1966.








On September 2, 1952 and November 26, 1954, Louise Pache of 3047 Toledo requested a permit to run a “boarding care home.” Built in 1910, this is now an apartment building.

The 1952 phone book advertises Resthaven Chronic and Convalescent Home at 5124 Minnetonka Blvd.  The ad is chock full of information:  "Homes for Chronic, Convalescent & Elderly Patients... Beautiful Quiet Surroundings.. 24 hour Nursing Services...'Remembering Those That are in Bonds (Hebrews 13:3'... Louise Pache, Nurse in Charge."  Today that address is vacant land owned by St. George's Episcopal Church. 

On March 4, 1957, Mary K. Harris obtained a temporary permit to operate a nursing home.

The Brookview Nursing Home, located at 6019 W. 39th (between Alabama and Brunswick) had its open house on January 18, 1959. The 16-bed facility was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Frank Barnes, who lived at 4110 Webster. The builder was Allan W. Garrison. In 1965, Barnes approached the City Council about adding 25 beds.  The facility is now called Mayfair Meadows.

The Texa-Tonka Nursing Home was built at 3201 Virginia Ave. in 1967 with 126 beds. An addition in 1966 brought the total up to 300 beds – the state’s largest proprietary nursing home. The name was changed to St. Louis Park Plaza Health Care Center. The current bed count is 220.
 

The Texas Terrace Care Center was built at 7900 W. 28th St. in 1971. Since that time it has been owned by Unicare Homes of Milwaukee.

Westwood Nursing Home, located at 7500 W. 22nd Street, opened its doors on August 22, 1971. It was built and managed by Brun Mawr Nursing Home, Harold Fox, President. Mrs. Shirley Desnick was its first Administrator. It was billed as the “most luxurious nursing home in the Northwest.”

The Park Shores senior living campus began in 1987. 

Sholom Home West was built in 1991.  It is located at 3620 Phillips Parkway. Bruce Kahn is CEO.

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This information comes from a variety of sources: newspapers, books, yearbooks, phone directories, interviews, etc. Given the varied sources, we cannot guarantee that all of this information is correct, and welcome any additions and corrections. Please contact us with your contributions and comments.