Minnesota Then
@mnthen.bsky.social
Minnesota Then is a free mobile web app that helps users discover the state’s history through maps, photos, and stories. Visit historic places, explore hidden narratives, and connect with the past—anywhere, anytime, without ads or paywalls.
March 1, 1881: Minnesota's capitol caught fire during session. A senator made them formally adjourn before evacuating. Legislators threw documents out windows, then climbed down after them. The cause remains a mystery.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
Minnesota’s State Capitol Fire (March 1, 1881)
On March 1, 1881, Minnesota’s first capitol building burned to the ground in a dramatic fire that interrupted Senate and House sessions. Though no lives were lost, the blaze destroyed priceless record...
mnthen.com
December 14, 2025 at 8:32 PM
March 1, 1881: Minnesota's capitol caught fire during session. A senator made them formally adjourn before evacuating. Legislators threw documents out windows, then climbed down after them. The cause remains a mystery.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
After corn prices crashed in 1920, Minnesota farmers turned their "Minnesota 13" crop into moonshine to save their farms. It was illegal, sure—but they had families to feed. Stearns County became the bootlegging capital, producing legendary whiskey.
#Minnesota #history
mnthen.com/blog/thing/m...
#Minnesota #history
mnthen.com/blog/thing/m...
“Minnesota 13” Corn and Moonshine in Stearns County
How a hardy University of Minnesota corn strain—Minnesota 13—became the backbone of a thriving moonshine economy in Stearns County during Prohibition, turning desperate farmers into bootleggers to sav...
mnthen.com
December 13, 2025 at 3:07 PM
After corn prices crashed in 1920, Minnesota farmers turned their "Minnesota 13" crop into moonshine to save their farms. It was illegal, sure—but they had families to feed. Stearns County became the bootlegging capital, producing legendary whiskey.
#Minnesota #history
mnthen.com/blog/thing/m...
#Minnesota #history
mnthen.com/blog/thing/m...
Babe Rohland wasn't traditionally famous, but in 96 years she handed flowers to Henry Ford, watched feds dump bootleg gin in her alley, had gangsters shoot someone in her yard, shook JFK's hand, and more. Read about one woman's front-row seat to the 20th century.
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
Rohland, Margaret "Babe" (1914 – 2011)
Margaret 'Babe' Rohland—a lifelong St. Paul resident—witnessed defining 20th-century moments from World War I to JFK’s visit, offering an intimate lens on local history through everyday experience.
mnthen.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Babe Rohland wasn't traditionally famous, but in 96 years she handed flowers to Henry Ford, watched feds dump bootleg gin in her alley, had gangsters shoot someone in her yard, shook JFK's hand, and more. Read about one woman's front-row seat to the 20th century.
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
In 1945, St. Paul planner George Herrold proposed a highway route that would bypass Rondo and add no more than minutes to commutes. Officials chose a route with a higher potential traffic capacity that qualified for federal funds. I-94 opened Dec 9, 1968.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
George Herrold's Northern Route: The Highway That Never Was
In 1945, St. Paul city planner George Herrold proposed an alternative to the Interstate 94 alignment—hoping to save Rondo and Prospect Park. His plan was ignored.
mnthen.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:59 PM
In 1945, St. Paul planner George Herrold proposed a highway route that would bypass Rondo and add no more than minutes to commutes. Officials chose a route with a higher potential traffic capacity that qualified for federal funds. I-94 opened Dec 9, 1968.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
Dec 9, 1935: Minneapolis editor Walter Liggett was shot in an alley behind his apartment. His wife and daughter witnessed it. She identified the shooter as mobster Kid Cann. Three witnesses named him. The jury acquitted in 90 minutes.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
The Assassination of Walter Liggett (December 9, 1935)
Crusading editor Walter Liggett was shot dead in a Minneapolis alley in 1935 after accusing Governor Floyd B. Olson of colluding with mobster Kid Cann. His murder exposed the rot beneath Minnesota’s p...
mnthen.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Dec 9, 1935: Minneapolis editor Walter Liggett was shot in an alley behind his apartment. His wife and daughter witnessed it. She identified the shooter as mobster Kid Cann. Three witnesses named him. The jury acquitted in 90 minutes.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
#Minnesota #history #MNThen
Snow’s coming down in St. Paul and the MN State Capitol looks ridiculously pretty right now.
December 9, 2025 at 8:44 PM
Snow’s coming down in St. Paul and the MN State Capitol looks ridiculously pretty right now.
In 1857, Minnesota nearly moved its capital to St. Peter — until Joe Rolette grabbed the enrolled bill, vanished for days, and ran out the clock. When he returned after adjournment, it was too late to sign. St. Paul stayed the capital; the St. Peter land boom collapsed.
mnthen.com/blog/event/r...
mnthen.com/blog/event/r...
Joe Rolette and the Capital Relocation Bill (1857)
How fur trader and legislator Joe Rolette vanished with a bill to move Minnesota’s capital to St. Peter—saving St. Paul and reshaping the state’s political geography overnight.
mnthen.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
In 1857, Minnesota nearly moved its capital to St. Peter — until Joe Rolette grabbed the enrolled bill, vanished for days, and ran out the clock. When he returned after adjournment, it was too late to sign. St. Paul stayed the capital; the St. Peter land boom collapsed.
mnthen.com/blog/event/r...
mnthen.com/blog/event/r...
Marjorie Johnson didn't enter her first baking competition until age 55. She went on to win 2,500+ ribbons, charm audiences on Rosie & Leno, and bake on national TV at age 100. At 4'8" tall, she was a giant. Passed away last month at 106. What a life. mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#Minnesota #history
#Minnesota #history
Johnson, Marjorie "The Blue Ribbon Baker" (1919 – 2025)
Marjorie Johnson—a beloved Minnesota icon, record-setting State Fair baker, and national television personality whose warmth, wit, and world-class pies made her a legend in kitchens and living rooms a...
mnthen.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Marjorie Johnson didn't enter her first baking competition until age 55. She went on to win 2,500+ ribbons, charm audiences on Rosie & Leno, and bake on national TV at age 100. At 4'8" tall, she was a giant. Passed away last month at 106. What a life. mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#Minnesota #history
#Minnesota #history
Micheal 'Eyedea' Larsen was born #OTD in 1981. By 17, he'd won Scribble Jam. By 20, he was turning down major label deals to make his kind of music. Poet, philosopher, battle-rap prodigy—Eyedea played the game by his own rules.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen #fEyedeaisAlive
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#Minnesota #history #MNThen #fEyedeaisAlive
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
Micheal 'Eyedea' Larsen: Minnesota's Underground Hip-Hop Legend (1981-2010)
The story of Eyedea, the fiercely independent battle rapper and genre-bending artist who became a Twin Cities icon.
mnthen.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Micheal 'Eyedea' Larsen was born #OTD in 1981. By 17, he'd won Scribble Jam. By 20, he was turning down major label deals to make his kind of music. Poet, philosopher, battle-rap prodigy—Eyedea played the game by his own rules.
#Minnesota #history #MNThen #fEyedeaisAlive
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#Minnesota #history #MNThen #fEyedeaisAlive
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
Took a picture of downtown from the Cass Gilbert Overlook. I was too late to catch the sunrise, but can't get over how beautiful this city is (at least to me).
#StPaul #Minnesota #downtown
#StPaul #Minnesota #downtown
November 7, 2025 at 2:13 PM
Took a picture of downtown from the Cass Gilbert Overlook. I was too late to catch the sunrise, but can't get over how beautiful this city is (at least to me).
#StPaul #Minnesota #downtown
#StPaul #Minnesota #downtown
Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant was a rough whiskey peddler who kept getting kicked out of his claims around the 1830s. His saloon became the gathering spot in "Pig's Eye Landing"—until Father Galtier renamed it St. Paul in 1841. Terrible businessman, accidental city founder.
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
Parrant, Pierre "Pig's Eye" (c. 1777 – unknown)
The rough-and-tumble story of Pierre 'Pig's Eye' Parrant—the whiskey-slinging squatter whose nickname briefly named what would become St. Paul, Minnesota.
mnthen.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant was a rough whiskey peddler who kept getting kicked out of his claims around the 1830s. His saloon became the gathering spot in "Pig's Eye Landing"—until Father Galtier renamed it St. Paul in 1841. Terrible businessman, accidental city founder.
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
mnthen.com/blog/people/...
Took a trip to Como Zoo today to grab a Mold-A-Rama seal while I still could. Smells like molten plastic and childhood. Perfect.
November 1, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Took a trip to Como Zoo today to grab a Mold-A-Rama seal while I still could. Smells like molten plastic and childhood. Perfect.
Reposted by Minnesota Then
Marjorie Johnson, Minnesota's beloved 'Blue Ribbon Baker,' passes at 106, leaving a legacy of award-winning treats and boundless joy.
Marjorie Johnson, MN's beloved 'Blue Ribbon Baker,' dies at 106
Marjorie Johnson, Minnesota's beloved 'Blue Ribbon Baker,' passes at 106, leaving a legacy of award-winning treats and boundless joy.
www.kare11.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Marjorie Johnson, Minnesota's beloved 'Blue Ribbon Baker,' passes at 106, leaving a legacy of award-winning treats and boundless joy.
Before Prince, before The Replacements, there was Augie Garcia—the Godfather of Minnesota Rock 'n' Roll. He recorded MN's first rock record in 1955, once upstaged Elvis, and fused Latin rhythms with R&B to create something brand new. His story: mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#history #Minnesota #MNThen
#history #Minnesota #MNThen
Garcia, Augustine 'Augie' (1932 - 1999)
The story of Augustine 'Augie' Garcia, the Godfather of Minnesota Rock 'n' Roll.
mnthen.com
October 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
Before Prince, before The Replacements, there was Augie Garcia—the Godfather of Minnesota Rock 'n' Roll. He recorded MN's first rock record in 1955, once upstaged Elvis, and fused Latin rhythms with R&B to create something brand new. His story: mnthen.com/blog/people/...
#history #Minnesota #MNThen
#history #Minnesota #MNThen
In Appleton, Minnesota, nearly every street is named after a local soldier who died in combat. Driving through town is literally driving through history. This small city created one of America's most unique 'living memorials'
#Minnesota #Veterans #Memorial #History #SmallTown
#Minnesota #Veterans #Memorial #History #SmallTown
Appleton, MN: A Living Memorial (1947-Present)
How Appleton transformed its streets into a memorial honoring fallen soldiers from WWII to Iraq through its unique naming tradition.
mnthen.com
July 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
In Appleton, Minnesota, nearly every street is named after a local soldier who died in combat. Driving through town is literally driving through history. This small city created one of America's most unique 'living memorials'
#Minnesota #Veterans #Memorial #History #SmallTown
#Minnesota #Veterans #Memorial #History #SmallTown
The St. Croix Boom Site is one of my favorite places to visit. Walk where 15 billion board feet of logs once passed, and feel the echoes of Minnesota's lumber era. Explore the story online or visit in person with our Museum Without Walls web app. #MNHistory #HiddenGems
mnthen.com/blog/place/b...
mnthen.com/blog/place/b...
St. Croix Boom Site: Minnesota's Lost Lumber Empire (1856-1914)
How Minnesota's St. Croix Boom Site processed 15 billion board feet of lumber before its 1914 closure. Explore its history and legacy.
mnthen.com
June 1, 2025 at 12:03 AM
The St. Croix Boom Site is one of my favorite places to visit. Walk where 15 billion board feet of logs once passed, and feel the echoes of Minnesota's lumber era. Explore the story online or visit in person with our Museum Without Walls web app. #MNHistory #HiddenGems
mnthen.com/blog/place/b...
mnthen.com/blog/place/b...
Built in 1883 as a wedding gift, this Victorian gem was rescued, moved to Matoska Park, and meticulously renovated—twice! A testament to White Bear Lake’s love for its history.
Go see it yourself, This location has been added as the 15th site on the Museum Without Walls.
Go see it yourself, This location has been added as the 15th site on the Museum Without Walls.
Erd-Geist Gazebo History | White Bear Lake Landmark | Minnesota Then
The complete story of White Bear Lake's historic Erd-Geist Gazebo - from 1883 wedding gift to modern community landmark at Matoska Park.
mnthen.com
May 29, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Built in 1883 as a wedding gift, this Victorian gem was rescued, moved to Matoska Park, and meticulously renovated—twice! A testament to White Bear Lake’s love for its history.
Go see it yourself, This location has been added as the 15th site on the Museum Without Walls.
Go see it yourself, This location has been added as the 15th site on the Museum Without Walls.
May 2, 1878: Washburn Mill exploded from ignited flour dust, killing 18. Blast leveled buildings, shattered windows for miles. Led to industrial safety reforms and a dust-proof rebuild. #MNHistory
mnthen.com/blog/event/w...
mnthen.com/blog/event/w...
Minnesota Then Blog | Washburn "A" Mill Explosion (May 2, 1878)
Explore the mysterious 1909 murder of St. Paul butcher Louis Arbogast on Minnesota Then.
mnthen.com
May 9, 2025 at 1:18 AM
May 2, 1878: Washburn Mill exploded from ignited flour dust, killing 18. Blast leveled buildings, shattered windows for miles. Led to industrial safety reforms and a dust-proof rebuild. #MNHistory
mnthen.com/blog/event/w...
mnthen.com/blog/event/w...
Throughout time, the loudest voices (those with money) have controlled historical narratives, but what about everyone else? Workers, neighborhoods, local shops—these stories matter too. I built Community Markers to give everyday Minnesotans a voice in shaping the state's historical narratives.
Community Markers Map
www.mnthen.com
March 8, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Throughout time, the loudest voices (those with money) have controlled historical narratives, but what about everyone else? Workers, neighborhoods, local shops—these stories matter too. I built Community Markers to give everyday Minnesotans a voice in shaping the state's historical narratives.
Dorothy Molter, "The loneliest woman in America," lived far from solitude in the Boundary Waters. From a city nurse to the legendary "Root Beer Lady," she built a wilderness haven, welcoming thousands. Her story is one of resilience, independence, and a deep connection to nature. #MN #History #BWCAW
Minnesota Then Blog | Dorothy "The Root Beer Lady" Molter
Explore the Minnesota Then Blog for fascinating historical insights and stories about Minnesota.
mnthen.com
February 27, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Dorothy Molter, "The loneliest woman in America," lived far from solitude in the Boundary Waters. From a city nurse to the legendary "Root Beer Lady," she built a wilderness haven, welcoming thousands. Her story is one of resilience, independence, and a deep connection to nature. #MN #History #BWCAW
From butcher to brewing magnate, Theodore Hamm founded a St. Paul beer empire. His Hamm's Brewery, established in 1865, grew from a small operation to Minnesota's second-largest by 1886, driven by German immigrant demand and Hamm's business acumen.
#StPaul #history #mnthen
#StPaul #history #mnthen
Minnesota Then Blog | Theodore Hamm
Explore the Minnesota Then Blog for fascinating historical insights and stories about Minnesota.
mnthen.com
February 9, 2025 at 9:40 PM
In 1850, German immigrant John Orth established Hennepin County's first brewery near the Mississippi River, growing it from 2.5 barrels to over 11,000 annually.
#mnthen #history #minneapolis
#mnthen #history #minneapolis
Minnesota Then Blog | Orth, John (1821 - 1887)
Explore the Minnesota Then Blog for fascinating historical insights and stories about Minnesota.
mnthen.com
February 9, 2025 at 3:39 PM
In 1850, German immigrant John Orth established Hennepin County's first brewery near the Mississippi River, growing it from 2.5 barrels to over 11,000 annually.
#mnthen #history #minneapolis
#mnthen #history #minneapolis
One more -- last one (maybe), but it was too good to not share. Brian Lambert interviews people on the street about whether or not they should tear down Block E in downtown Minneapolis. youtu.be/NrX2WZVhUGs?...
Brian Lambert “man on the street” finds out if Block E should be saved (from 1987)
YouTube video by tcmedianow
youtu.be
December 1, 2024 at 9:50 PM
One more -- last one (maybe), but it was too good to not share. Brian Lambert interviews people on the street about whether or not they should tear down Block E in downtown Minneapolis. youtu.be/NrX2WZVhUGs?...
Ok. It's still cold outside so I jumped back down the rabbit hole. youtu.be/ifOfSeuotkU?...
A Pop Culture Time Machine: Downtown Minneapolis, Circa 1981
YouTube video by Twin Cities PBS
youtu.be
December 1, 2024 at 9:43 PM
Ok. It's still cold outside so I jumped back down the rabbit hole. youtu.be/ifOfSeuotkU?...
Too cold to go outside, so I am spending my day heading down the YouTube rabbit hole. This one felt worthy of sharing. youtu.be/XTOfOPEQ8HM?...
Minneapolis Promotional Film (Circa 1968)
YouTube video by Augsburg University Archives
youtu.be
November 30, 2024 at 6:54 PM
Too cold to go outside, so I am spending my day heading down the YouTube rabbit hole. This one felt worthy of sharing. youtu.be/XTOfOPEQ8HM?...