I went to visit on Friday afternoon, May 25 2008CE. The front door was closed. A sign said that the handicapped entrance was in the back, please ring bell. So I did. A very nice (but shy) lady named Kim showed me around the small shop, apologizing for being closed because "it was slow".
Sign on side of 2510 Nicollet, as you drive north on Nicollet | Forlornly looking into the window of the closed shop |
Shirt says Real Men Don't Ask Directions | Map and globes for sale |
Hidden Minneapolis! The production studio where the maps are generated |
From the website:
Hudson Map Company is 114 years old. The company was founded in 1892 by Horace B. Hudson from whom the company's name was derived.Hudson was bought out by Charles Hall and Walter Eng, who changed the direction of the company to specialize in maps. Eng eventually sold his share, and Hudson Map Co. remains a Hall family business.
Mr. Hudson wanted to develop his own cartographic capabilities so he started his own company, Hudson Map Company. He started out by making a small handbook of Minneapolis that highlighted things to do and see in the metro area. This small handbook was recognized as a must-have for visitors and people new to the area.