Originally a stopover point for weary train passengers, the Smith Douglas More house has been a community gathering place since it was built in 1877. Located near the Minneapolis–St. Louis Railroad Eden Prairie Station, this home and its residents were central to Eden Prairie’s post-settlement period growth.
The Smiths were among the first settlers to Eden Prairie, brought here from the east by the burgeoning railroad system moving west. Like many of the settlers who came to the area, farmland was the primary draw.
Sheldon Smith was born in 1831 and built this house with his wife, Mary, in 1877. The house was a welcome overnight stop for arriving train passengers who stayed at the home before continuing their travels by train or overland by wagon. The Smith’s also boarded several of the area’s teachers and ran a working farm on the property. Sheldon and Mary raised their family— three daughters—in Eden Prairie. Ettie, the youngest daughter, died of tuberculosis when she was only 16 years old in 1881. The Smith’s first daughter, Netta, died in 1861 at age three. As depot agent at the Minneapolis–St. Louis Railroad Eden Prairie Station, it was important to Sheldon to encourage the area’s growth and development. Over his lifetime, a creamery, grain elevator, livestock loading pen, pickle factory, and Miller’s general store all sprung up around his home. Sheldon Smith’s Daughter, Amie, married Sheldon Douglas, and this couple became the second owners of the house.
In 1950, Earl More purchased the house and made many modernized renovations to it while maintaining its historic character. One of his most remarkable touches are the stained glass windows which he designed and built himself. In 1981, More made arrangements to sell his home to the City of Eden Prairie on the condition that he could live out his life here. He passed in 1999 and in 2002, a local resident partnered with the city to renovate the house and make it into a coffee shop. Under this arrangement, the house has been available to the public as a place to visit and build community.
This cache replaces a cache that was previously here. If you were one of the early finders of that cache you will notice that parking has since been greatly expanded here.
This cache was placed with thanks to and the permission of Ann the operator of this establishment.
A $2 bill awaits the FTF.