POLLAND BROTHERS: WHO WE ARE

Striking out on one's own

minneapolis remodel

In 1905, bread was made at home...and not typically purchased. But if you did buy it, 5¢ was about the going rate. In Washington D.C., Theodore Roosevelt would take office, for his second term and back in Minneapolis the City Hall was being built, and Joe Polland, a stucco and plaster worker who lived in Minneapolis was tapped to plaster the interior of the building. The results of which are still evidenced today as you walk through the halls.

Working independently, and hiring laborers as needed, the athletic masonry artisan of French-Canadian heritage worked diligently to complete each of the phased openings until the building's full completion in 1909-when it housed both City Hall and the Hennepin County Courthouse.

Legend has it (and those who tell the story claim it's true), that those days, while grueling at best, with Joe being so tired at day's end, after loading the wagon, he'd fall asleep, but always made it home...because the horse knew the way.

A Growing Reputation...and Company

During the Teens and into the roaring '20s, the country saw adoption of the 18th and 19th Amendments of Prohibition and the Women's Right to Vote. And a small plane piloted by Charles Lindbergh crossed the Atlantic nonstop.

In Minneapolis, son Rudy Polland joined Joe on the job and took up an apprenticeship gaining the knowledge and skill to carry on his father's trade, name and quality. It's said that at least one house on each block of homes in South Minneapolis and Richfield had been touched by Polland and Son Plastering.

Honor, Duty and Company

Minnesota, Minneapolis and Twin Cities Born in 1917 to Rudy and Elsie Polland; Leighton Polland was a chip off the old block minneapolis Remodeling (ahem...sorry-little masonry joke there), and just as his father and father's father before him. But prior to joining the family business and true to his roots for also having athletic ability, Leighton first attended the U and played football for the Gophers, alongside Heisman Trophy Winner Bruce Smith. After school he enlisted into the US Army prior to World War II and after serving in a Parachute Infantry Regiment, he returned to Minneapolis and took up the Hawk and Trowel.

Diversification and more growth...
...but no more bowling...

Previously, Leighton had not only come from a family of stucco and plasterers, and athletes...but bowlers as well. Lighting up the nighttime sky around West Lake and Bryant Avenue S in Minneapolis the Polland Stucco team would delight in knocking down the pins for a little enjoyment and a break from the continuing hard work...and some cold Minnesota nights.

In 1949, also known today as the Baby Boom era, the first of the current generation of Polland clan was born to Leighton and Elsie. Bob Polland, followed by Bev and Robyn, then Bill, Jim and Ron Polland.

From the 50's into the 80's, the Polland name was still synonymous with quality stucco and plastering, but business was slowing from a recession in the 70's and new construction just wasn't on the front burner for most Americans.

So as the three boys Bill, Jim and Ron Polland, began to consider their careers around 1980 and followed the family tradition with a few twists. Combining their education from the U and technical schools, Polland Brothers Construction arose within the Twin Cities as providing not only the time honored tradition of Stucco and Plaster, but combined it with a Design Build element and added Residential Remodeling to the family's repertoire. Unfortunately, the bowling suffered as hockey was the preferred sport for wintertime.

Tomorrow and Beyond

Affectionately known as Gen5 (5th Generation) are the kids of the Polland Brothers. And they seemed poised to carry on traditions themselves. Bill's son Ben Polland is looking to become one of the first professional athletes in the family, while Joshua Polland, Ron's son, is in school for Construction Management and Jim's son, Jacob Polland is in school for engineering.

Although run by Bill, Jim and Ron Polland, there isn't an aspect of the company that has been left untouched by the hands of the whole Polland family. Whether marketing, bookkeeping, carrying the hod (if you gotta ask...you just wouldn't understand) or just providing material delivery, the company continues to be driven by tradition and quality.