Where Is This Mystery Photo From?

The St. Louis Park Historical Society needs your help identifying a photo in its collection.

The photo shows a ribbon cutting on a neighborhood street. Historical Society Trustee Jeanne Andersen says she found the photo in the collection but no one could identify where it came from, where it was shot or who the people in the photo are.

In September, Andersen posted the photo on the “Flashbacks of St. Louis Park” Facebook page. A woman recognized her grandfather, L.P. Pederson.

People also noticed a yard sign that appears to read, “Elect Welter.” According to Andersen:

There was a Eugene F. Welter who ran for State Senate and was elected in 1966.  He lived in Crystal and represented District 31, but everything's been all redistricted now.  In 1966, his district included Crystal, Golden Valley, and Robbinsdale, but not St. Louis Park.  He died in 1984.  His children are Kent and Sherri.  The car guys seem to think the cars could have come from around that time.

The Facebook post has now received more than 170 comments from people speculating about the photo’s origins—using the vehicles, curb lines and speed limit signs as guides. Yet no one has yet been able to identify the location.

“Haunting isn't it?” one user commented.

Andersen is beginning to suspect that the photo was not actually taken taken in St. Louis Park, but the mystery continues. Do you recognize any people or landmarks in the photo? Share your thoughts in the comments below.