A Quaint Story of an Edina Homeowner's Dream...

In 1945, Beulah and Bill Anderson purchased more than an acre of land in the "new" suburb of Edina.

They were looking for a community where they could have an extensive yard and also send their five daughters to a new high school. The property at 6224 Virginia Avenue in East Edina was their perfect location.

Mr. Anderson was a builder in Edina, and eventually built two homes on half of the property, but retained a half an acre for their beautiful stone home and gardens. Both of the Andersons were master gardeners—she focused on the flowers (more than 100 rose bushes) and he planted a large variety of vegetables.

In the summer of 1990, the Edina Garden Council and Park and Recreation Department awarded the Anderson homestead first place in the "Scene From The Street" contest. Their hobby of gardening quickly became a year-round activity.  They ordered seeds in the winter and harvested fruit and vegetables starting in July.

Beulah would can 40 quarts of tomatoes, 20 quarts of picked beets and 30 quarters of pickles and cucumbers each year. And that doesn't include the strawberries and raspberries that filled their freezers every season.

Although many of the gardens have been reduced in size today, someone walking past their home and corner lot today will see the beautiful roses, perennials and a charming home that is still one of Edina's best "views from the street."

This story was shared by one of their loving daughters, Julie Varda.