GOLDEN AUTO PARTS

This familiar if not infamous landmark at 7003 West Lake Street (along Highway 7) came to St. Louis Park in 1963. Brothers Harry “Babe” and Morris Golden moved it from 1015 N. 7th Street in Minneapolis, where it was displaced by highway construction. The 4-1/2 acre tract was located on the old National Lead site, south of Highway 7 and bounded by Lake Street and Hampshire and Monitor Avenues.

At first the City Council refused to issue a special use permit to the Goldens. When a Hennepin County District Court ordered the City to issue the permit, the City planned an appeal, but of course the junkyard did go in. At the time, the Goldens planned to erect a 10-ft. fence to screen off the approximately 75 cars. Ironically, for 16 years the company had the towing contract with the City.

The site was still full of lead from the previous lead smelter, and the business became increasingly under fire by environmentalists. In 1979, workers at the property were tested for lead levels – all were high, and one was dangerously high. It was said that some of those employees had been previously employed at National Lead. Babe Golden suspected that “noxious fumes” caused the death of two of his watchdogs in 1977. The Goldens closed the lot on November 24, 1982, although the family has continued to own the lot. In 2001, part of the property was still classified “Contamination A” by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency.

The site is currently contained by asphalt and used as a parking lot. The building is a pawn shop. The entire area is targeted for redevelopment by the City.

Home    St. Louis Park History    History Index    About the Society    Research Resources
Brookside Timeline    Something In The Water    The Re-Echo    Contact Us

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.