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96 unusual facts about Minnesota


1888 in the United States

January 12 – "Schoolhouse Blizzard": Blizzards hit Dakota Territory, the states of Montana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas, leaving 235 dead, many of whom are children on their way home from school.

1967–68 NHL season

In a game at the Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, Minnesota, the Oakland Seals were in town to play the North Stars and Bill Masterton led a rush into the Oakland zone.

2-8-8-4

Three of the eighteen built still survive and are on display: Number 227 at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota, Number 225 in Proctor, Minnesota, and Number 229 in Two Harbors, Minnesota.

Balsfjord

Their voyage was also noteworthy as the first transatlantic voyage sailing directly from Europe to the port of Chicago (other previous transoceanic ships disembarked first at Quebec, Canada.) After arriving in Chicago, the mindekirken colonists traveled overland to the area of St. Peter, Minnesota, where they remained during the "Dakota War of 1862".

Bear River, Minnesota

Bear River is located within Morcom Township in Saint Louis County; and also located within Bearville Township in Itasca County.

Beaulieu, Minnesota

Beaulieu is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in Beaulieu and Chief Townships, Mahnomen County, Minnesota, United States.

Bernadotte, Minnesota

Bernadotte is an unincorporated community located in Bernadotte Township, Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States.

Berne, Minnesota

Berne is an unincorporated community in Milton Township, Dodge County, Minnesota, United States.

Bert Kinner

On May 25, 1915, pioneer pilot and aviation designer, Otto Timm crashed in a field in Magnolia, Minnesota owned by Kinner.

Bruno, Minnesota

Named after Bruno Township, after an early hotel owner there, the city of Bruno was incorporated on August 29, 1903.

Burnett, Minnesota

Burnett is an unincorporated community in Industrial Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.

CenturyLink Building

Minnesota construction materials were used in the building, with a granite exterior from Morton, Minnesota on the first floor and limestone from Kasota, Minnesota on subsequent stories.

Cherry Grove, Minnesota

Cherry Grove is located along the boundary line between York Township and Forestville Township.

Cherry Grove, Oregon

His cousin then suggested the name of her home of Cherry Grove, Minnesota.

Claiming Crown

The Claiming Crown, held under the auspices of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, has for much of its existence been run at Canterbury Park in Shakopee, Minnesota.

Cokem International

is a full-service distribution company located in Shakopee, Minnesota.

County roads in Hennepin County, Minnesota

County Road 117 (non-CSAH) is 109th Avenue North on the border between Corcoran and Hassan Township from County 116 to County 19.

Culver, Minnesota

The center of Culver is generally considered at the junction of Saint Louis County Highway 7 (CR 7) and County Road 8 (CR 8), which is also the boundary line between Culver Township and Industrial Township.

Day, Minnesota

Day is an unincorporated community in Maple Ridge Township, Isanti County, Minnesota, United States.

Deluxe Corporation

Deluxe is based in the St. Paul suburb of Shoreview, Minnesota and has 33 facilities in the U.S. and 3 locations in Canada to conduct its printing and fulfillment, call center, and administrative functions.

Diamond Jo Casino – Worth

Soon after opening its doors in 2006, Diamond Jo Casino – Worth purchased Arrowhead Golf Course located just outside of Emmons, Minnesota.

Dorothy, Minnesota

Dorothy initially was established as a railroad station in 1916-17 after the Northern Pacific Railway extended its line from Tilden Junction to Winnipeg and built a spur through Red Lake Falls.

Duesler, Minnesota

Duesler is a small unincorporated community in Blackhoof Township, Carlton County, Minnesota, United States.

Eielsen Synod

In 1985, there were approximately 50 members at just three churches: Stall Norwegian Church in Jackson, Minnesota Bethania Lutheran (Lodi / Eau Claire WI) and Immanuel in French Lake, Minnesota.

Ellsworth, Minnesota

Early history: Ellsworth is located in Grand Prairie Township in the extreme southwestern corner of Nobles County.

FM H-10-44

Another example is former Hallet Dock Company HD-11, which is now at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum in Duluth, Minnesota.

Grandy, Minnesota

Grandy is an unincorporated community in Cambridge Township, Isanti County, Minnesota, United States.

Greenalite

Greenalite was first described in 1903 for an occurrence in the Mesabi Range near Biwabik, St. Louis County, Minnesota and named for its green color.

Harrington Mansion and Events Center

Based in Winona, Minnesota, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota expanded its educational programs to serve the Twin Cities community by establishing a Minneapolis campus in 1983, located at 2500 Park Avenue South, less than one block from the Harrington estate.

Hay Lake, Minnesota

Nearby places include Biwabik Township, the city of Biwabik, and Pike Township.

Helen Brach

After a routine medical check-up at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, Brach left for the return journey by air to her north suburban Chicago mansion on February 17, 1977.

Herbert Pierce

He was born in Tolon Creek, Dane County, Wisconsin, the son of William Smith Pierce, and was educated in Hutchinson, Minnesota and Portage la Prairie, Manitoba.

Herman Beach

Named for its proximity to Herman, Minnesota, Herman Beach was formed 11,700 years ago and runs for hundreds of miles through Minnesota and North Dakota.

Independence, St. Louis County, Minnesota

Independence is an unincorporated community in New Independence Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.

Itasca Community Television, Inc.

Communities that support the Grand Rapids Area Cable Commission with franchise and PEG fees which, in turn, supports ICTV include Grand Rapids, Cohasset, La Prairie and the townships of Harris and Grand Rapids.

Ixchiguán

During the 20th century, many people from Ixchiguan have migrated to Worthington, Minnesota, a city that is considered a center of Mam speakers in the United States.

Jessica Diggins

Jessica "Jessie" Diggins (born August 26, 1991) is an American cross country skier from Afton, Minnesota.

John Gorka

As of 2005, he was residing in the St. Croix Valley area near Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Johnsburg, Minnesota

Johnsburg is an unincorporated community in Adams Township, Mower County, Minnesota, United States.

KEYC-DT2

KEYC-DT2's parent station has studios on Lookout Drive in North Mankato.

Kreutzer Air Coach

After becoming derelict, it was recovered using pack animals and is now maintained airworthy by the private Golden Wings Air Museum near Minneapolis Minnesota.

Lois Jurgens

Her brother, Jerome Zerwas, was the police lieutenant of the town of White Bear Lake, Minnesota, where she lived at the time.

Malmo, Minnesota

Malmo is located in Malmo Township and Lakeside Township.

Mary Olson

Mary A. Olson (born May 23, 1958) is a Minnesota politician and a former member of the Minnesota Senate who represented District 4, which includes portions of Beltrami, Cass, Crow Wing, Hubbard and Itasca counties in the northern part of the state.

Max, Minnesota

Max is an unincorporated community in Max Township, Itasca County, Minnesota, United States; located within the Chippewa National Forest and the Leech Lake Indian Reservation.

Michael Valvo

Michael Valvo (April 19, 1942 in New York – September 18, 2004 in Chanhassen, Minnesota) was an International Master of chess.

Midway, Mahnomen County, Minnesota

Midway is a census-designated place and unincorporated community in La Garde Township, Mahnomen County, Minnesota, United States.

Minnesota State Highway 104

Minnesota State Highway 104 is a highway in west-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 9 in Norway Lake Township near Sunburg and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highways 28 and 29 in the city of Glenwood.

State Highway 104 serves as a north–south and an east–west route between Sunburg and Glenwood in west-central Minnesota.

Minnesota State Highway 114

Minnesota State Highway 114 is a highway in west-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highways 28 and 29 in Starbuck and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with Interstate 94 near the city of Alexandria.

Highway 114 serves as a north–south route in west-central Minnesota between Starbuck, Lowry, and La Grand Township near Alexandria.

Minnesota State Highway 117

Minnesota State Highway 117 is a short highway in west central Minnesota, which runs from Roberts County Road 19 at the South Dakota state line and continues east to its eastern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 27 near Wheaton.

Minnesota State Highway 156

Minnesota State Highway 156 is a highway in Minnesota, which runs from its interchange with Interstate 494 in South St. Paul and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with U.S. Highway 52 (the Lafayette Freeway) near downtown Saint Paul.

Minnesota State Highway 232

Savanna Portage State Park is located 11 miles northeast of the junction of former MN 232, MN 65, and County Road 14 (CR 14) in Shamrock Township.

Minnesota State Highway 249

Highway 249 had passed through the communities of Caledonia, Mayville Township, and Crooked Creek Township.

Minnesota State Highway 275

Minnesota State Highway 275 is a highway in southwest Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with Lac qui Parle County Road 2 in Boyd and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with U.S. Highway 212 in Baxter Township, 6 miles east of Dawson.

Minnesota State Highway 32

State Highway 32 serves as a north–south route between Tansem Township, Twin Valley, Fertile, Red Lake Falls, Thief River Falls, and Greenbush in west-central and northwest Minnesota.

Minnesota State Highway 336

The roadway has always been a vital connection between Interstate 94 and U.S. 10, providing a gateway to nearby Detroit Lakes, a recreation destination area.

Minnesota State Highway 34

State Highway 34 serves as an east–west route between Barnesville, Detroit Lakes, Park Rapids, and Walker in west-central and north-central Minnesota.

Minnesota State Highway 40

Highway 40 serves as an east–west route between Madison and Willmar in west-central Minnesota.

Minnesota State Highway 43

A major project in the 1980s to rebuild Highway 43 from Interstate 90 to Winona as an expressway ran out of money.

Minnesota State Highway 76

Minnesota State Highway 76 is a highway in southeast Minnesota, which runs from Iowa Highway 76 at the Iowa state line (near Eitzen), and continues north to its northern terminus at its interchange with Interstate Highway 90 in Pleasant Hill Township near Winona.

Minnesota State Highway 83

State Highway 83 serves as a north–south route in south-central Minnesota between Waldorf, Pemberton, St. Clair, and Mankato.

Minnesota State Highway 83 is a highway in south-central Minnesota, which runs from its intersection with State Highway 30 near Waldorf and continues north to its northern terminus at its intersection with State Highway 22 in Mankato.

Minnesota State Highway 95

This highway runs through mostly rural areas immediately north and east of the Twin Cities, although increasing development in the eastern suburbs of Saint Paul may bring increased traffic to the highway.

Minnesota State Highway 96

State Highway 96 serves as an east–west arterial route between the communities of White Bear Lake, Dellwood, Grant, Stillwater Township, and Stillwater.

Mission Creek, Minnesota

The center of Mission Creek is generally considered at the junction of Pine County 61 with Tie Road, and Railroad Lane; located in the northern portion of Mission Creek Township (population 635).

National Trails System

You can experience the subtle beauties of the southern wetlands and Gulf Coast on the Florida Trail or wander the North Woods from New York to Minnesota on the North Country Trail or experience the vast diversity of landscapes of the southwest on the Arizona National Scenic Trail.

Olof Hanson

In 1891 he returned to Minnesota and worked at his profession in Duluth and Minneapolis.

On the Banks of Plum Creek

Although Plum Creek (in Redwood County, Minnesota) is near the town of Walnut Grove, the name of the town is not mentioned in the book.

Otter Creek, Minnesota

Otter Creek is an unincorporated community in Twin Lakes Township, Carlton County, Minnesota, United States.

Otto Timm

The next year he built a second for his own use, and started a cross-country tour that ended on May 25, 1915 when it crashed in a field in Magnolia, Minnesota.

Oxlip, Minnesota

The community is located in Spencer Brook Township and Bradford Township.

Palo, Minnesota

Palo is an unincorporated community in White Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.

PaR Systems

PaR Systems, Inc, is a systems engineering firm headquartered in Shoreview, Minnesota, specializing in automated manufacturing and material handling.

Peary, Minnesota

Peary is located on the survey point boundary line for Clinton Township, Fayal Township, and McDavitt Township.

Robert E. Bailey

After transferring to the Reserve Command, Bailey was assigned to the 96th Tactical Airlift Squadron at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Hennepin County, Minnesota.

Robinson, Minnesota

The boundary line between Eagles Nest Township and Morse Township is nearby.

Ross Lee Finney

-- III? --> (December 23, 1906–February 4, 1997) was an American composer born in Wells, Minnesota who taught for many years at the University of Michigan.

Saginaw, Minnesota

The center of Saginaw is generally considered at the junction of Saginaw Road (Saint Louis County Road 46) and Vibert Road (County Road 875) in the southeast corner of Industrial Township.

Nearby is the junction of U.S. Highway 2 and State Highway 33 in the northeast corner of Brevator Township.

Schroeder, Minnesota

Schroeder is an unincorporated community in Schroeder Township, Cook County, Minnesota, United States.

Silver Creek, Lake County, Minnesota

Silver Creek is an unincorporated community in Silver Creek Township, Lake County, Minnesota, United States.

Soo Line B-4 class

which is operational today and gives free rides annually at the Western Minnesota Steam Thresher's Reunion, Rollag, Minnesota.

South End, Minnesota

South End is a census-designated place in La Prairie Township, Clearwater County, Minnesota, United States.

St. Michael, Minnesota

It also borders Monticello Township, Buffalo Township, Rockford Township, and the cities of Otsego and Albertville, all in Wright County, as well as the city of Hanover, which is located within both Wright and Hennepin counties.

Swan River, Itasca County, Minnesota

Swan River is located along the boundary line between Sago Township and Wawina Township.

Tenney, Minnesota

In late June 2011, residents of Tenney voted 2 to 1 to dissolve the town and have it become part of Campbell Township.

The Lakes, Minnesota

The lake and the community are located in parts of four townships in Murray County: Lake Sarah, Shetek, Murray, and Mason Townships.

Theilman, Minnesota

Theilman is an unincorporated community in West Albany Township, Wabasha County, Minnesota, United States.

Union Hill, Minnesota

Union Hill is located within Derrynane Township in Le Sueur County; and also located within Belle Plaine Township in Scott County.

Walbo, Minnesota

Walbo is an unincorporated community in Springvale Township, Isanti County, Minnesota, United States.

Waskish, Minnesota

Waskish is an unincorporated community in Waskish Township, Beltrami County, Minnesota, United States.

West Concord, Minnesota

The early settlers of the area were from New England, New York or Pennsylvania and West Concord, and well as Concord Township which surrounds it, were named after Concord, New Hampshire.

Wiele, Pomeranian Voivodeship

During the Kashubian diaspora, many families from Wiele emigrated to the area of Winona, Minnesota in the United States, beginning in the late 1850s.

Zim, Minnesota

Zim is an unincorporated community in McDavitt Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.


2010 Insight Bowl

But Iowa has lost their last three games including a season-ending 27-24 loss to Minnesota.

Adam Marty

As a member of the First Minnesota, Marty fought in early Civil War battles such as Bull Run, Ball's Bluff, and the Peninsula Campaign.

Albany, Minnesota

Albany is part of Minnesota's 6th congressional district currently represented in Federal Congress by (R) Representative Michele Bachmann and Minnesota Senators (D) Amy Klobuchar and (D) Al Franken.

Angie's Kettle Corn

The producers, Angie and Dan Bastian of Mankato, Minnesota, originally distributed their product in 2002 outside the Metrodome during Minnesota Vikings home games.

Arnold, Minnesota

Arnold is a census-designated place (CDP) in Rice Lake Township, Saint Louis County, Minnesota, United States.

Brad Childress

The owner Zygi Wilf was cited as saying, “Brad has done a tremendous job leading this football team and we value the positive environment he has created for the Minnesota Vikings on and off the field, He has continued to positively impact this team and create a strong foundation for future success.

Collin Peterson

In 1998, Peterson gained attention by proposing a constitutional amendment that would allow the residents of Minnesota's Northwest Angle to vote on whether they wanted to secede from the United States and join the Canadian province of Manitoba.

Elections in Minnesota

Recounts in Minnesota are handled by the State Canvassing Board, as needed in the 2008 Senate election between Norm Coleman and Al Franken.

Emma Bull

She sang in the rock-funk band Cats Laughing, and both sang and played guitar in the folk duo The Flash Girls while living in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Half Dead and Dynamite

Half Dead and Dynamite is the second LP released by the Minnesota indie rock band Lifter Puller.

Harry Joseph Flynn

In May 2005, Archbishop Flynn publicly criticized Minnesota governor Tim Pawlenty in the Star Tribune for what he perceived as irresponsible tax policies.

Heffelfinger

William Walter "Pudge" Heffelfinger (1867, Minneapolis, Minnesota - 1954, Blessing, Texas), an American football player

Homer, Minnesota

Homer is an unincorporated community and census-designated place in Homer Township, Winona County, Minnesota, United States.

Jane Elizabeth Hodgson

In 1981, Hodgson lent her name to a suit (Hodgson v. Minnesota) brought by Planned Parenthood against Minnesota, challenging that state's law requiring that both parents be notified at least 48 hours before a minor has an abortion.

Jesse Ceci

Mr. Ceci made many solo appearances including the Denver Chamber Orchestra, Royal Metropolitan Orchestra of Japan, Shizuoka Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Municipal Band, The Mozart Festival in Whistler, British Columbia, Bach Carmel festival in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, Colorado Music Festival, Minnesota Orchestra, Esterhazy Orchestra, New Orleans Philharmonic Orchestra and with the Denver Symphony Orchestra as soloist in over thirty major works.

Juxtaposition

Juxtaposition Arts, a youth oriented visual art center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Kabekona, Minnesota

Kabekona is an unincorporated community in Hendrickson Township, Hubbard County, Minnesota, United States.

Kirby the Kestrel

Kirby the Kestrel is an American Kestrel (sometimes called a falcon or sparrow hawk) that frequents Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

KTIS

KTIS-FM, a radio station (98.5 FM) licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Lencho Skibba

He played in the youth system for Alemannia Aachen until 2007, when he moved to the United States and joined the Minnesota Thunder.

Lorie Skjerven Gildea

In 2010 Governor Pawlenty appointed her the new Chief Justice of the Minnesota Supreme Court, replacing Eric J. Magnuson.

Madieu Williams

After spending his first four years with Cincinnati, Williams signed with Minnesota following the 2007 season.

Midway, Becker County, Minnesota

Midway is an unincorporated community in Runeberg Township, Becker County, Minnesota, United States.

Mike Erlandson

Erlandson ran for Sabo's 5th Congressional District seat in 2006, but finished second in a contested primary to Keith Ellison.

Minnesota Golden Gophers women's ice hockey

Minnesota put its first women's team on the ice, in 1997-98 and Nadine Muzerall, a Canadian who graduated from Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, New Hampshire, was among its initial recruits.

Namekagon Portage

The most direct route continued southward down the St. Croix River to its junction with the Mississippi River near present day Hastings, Minnesota.

Our Minnesota

The judging committee could not decide between Bassett's entry and Truman Rickard's "Minnesota! Let's Go!" (later known as "Minnesota Fight") and split the prize between the two.

Rick Shiomi

As a stage director, Shiomi has directed at the Asian American Theater Company in San Francisco, InterAct Theatre in Philadelphia, The Bloomington Civic Theatre in Minnesota, St. Paul's SteppingStone Theatre for Youth, and has helmed numerous productions for Mu Performing Arts, including two by David Henry Hwang, the play Yellow Face and Hwang's revisal of Flower Drum Song by Rogers and Hammerstein.

Rick Weiland

In 1997, as Weiland was being installed as regional director of FEMA, the Red River swamped its banks, causing unprecedented flooding to North Dakota and Minnesota, inundating all of downtown Fargo and causing the evacuation of Grand Forks, North Dakota in an event known as the Red River Flood.

Robert Gunther

:For the Minnesota politician, see Bob Gunther.

Robert Michael Dow Jr.

On December 2, 2010, Judge Dow ruled against five states (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin), stating that five Chicago-area shipping locks will stay open despite the risk that Lake Michigan Asian carp pose to the multi-billion dollar fishing industry, saying not enough evidence was presented that indicated the danger was truly imminent.

Robert W. Mattson, Jr.

Mattson was elected State Auditor at the age of 26, the second-youngest to attain statewide office in Minnesota; the distinction of being the youngest goes to Jim Lord, who was 25 when elected State Treasurer.

Sørlie

Sorlie Memorial Bridge, connects the cities of Grand Forks, North Dakota and East Grand Forks, Minnesota

Statewide opinion polling for the Republican Party presidential primaries, April 2012

Haley Barbour of Mississippi, Jeb Bush of Florida, Chris Christie of New Jersey, Jim DeMint of South Carolina, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, Tim Pawlenty of Minnesota, Paul Ryan of Wisconsin and John Thune of South Dakota all succeeded in leading polls in their home states at some point in 2011, although only Pawlenty actually launched a campaign.

Theodore H. Rowell

As Chairman of the International Bridge Committee, he successfully raised $1.6 million for construction of the International Bridge spanning the Rainy River, linking Baudette and Rainy River, Ontario.

Tofte, Minnesota

Tofte is an unincorporated community in Tofte Township, Cook County, Minnesota, United States.

Tyrel Ventura

He is the son of former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura and was an investigator alongside his father on the truTV series Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura.

WTCN

KARE, a television station (channel 11 analog/35 digital) licensed to Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, which held the call sign WTCN-TV from September 1953 to July 1985