MINNESOTA: THE NORTH STAR STATE
BY CLAY
LARROY
When you choose to travel, whether it is for business
or pleasure, it is important to plan your trip well before hand. Here are some
tips to help you. Don't be afraid to cash in your airline miles. Many travelers
let their miles accumulate and never bother using them. Reap the rewards of
your traveling and spend the miles you've earned! Miles have expiration dates,
so be sure to use them before they expire. Travelling is a great way to use
your airline miles. When you need to plan a vacation contact me!
Minneapolis-St
Paul, “The Twin Cities”
Minneapolis-St
Paul History
Nicknamed the ‘twin
cities', Minneapolis-St Paul began life as two separate towns that both perched
beside the mighty Mississippi River. Founded by immigrants arriving from
Sweden, Norway, Denmark and northern Germany, Minneapolis came first, founded
on the west bank in 1855, opposite St Anthony Falls.
Making the most of what
was available to them, early settlers used the Falls to generate power for
sawmills and flourmills, which by 1870, made Minneapolis the flour milling
capital of the world. The presence of Fort Snelling encouraged more settlers to
set up home there, with both tradesmen and travelers kept safe by the garrison.
While Minneapolis was
springing up on the west bank of the Mississippi, another town was beginning to
take shape on the opposite embankment. Formed from the tiny villages of Pig's
Eye and Lambert's Landing, the fledgling St Paul swiftly grew, thanks to its
convenient harbor which opened it up to river trade. From here, the
manufactured goods of Minneapolis were sent downriver, while the construction
of a rail link in 1867 gave rise to further expansion.
By the beginning of the
20th century, Minneapolis-St Paul was a thriving industrial town, famous for
its flour mills and food processing plants - the latter still important in the
city today. Further economic opportunities arose from the Hennepin Island
Hydroelectric Plant, constructed in 1906 to harness the power of the river.
But the good times were
not to last and like the US's other big industrial centres, Minneapolis-St Paul
was hit hard by the Great Depression of the 1930s and again by the post-war
industrial malaise that hammered manufacturing in Europe and the US.
The city bounced back in
the 1980s courtesy of a building boom that populated the skyline with
glittering glass and steel buildings. It followed up with another
construction-driven boom, this time in condos, in the 1990s. Today, building
still plays a key role in city finances, with the old riverside the latest to
be reworked by city planners.
Did you know?
- Charles Strite, the inventor of the pop-up toaster, was born in Minneapolis.
- The first digital recording to be commercially released was made at Minneapolis studio, Sound 80.
- The first successful open heart surgery was conducted in Minneapolis in 1952.
- Charles Strite, the inventor of the pop-up toaster, was born in Minneapolis.
- The first digital recording to be commercially released was made at Minneapolis studio, Sound 80.
- The first successful open heart surgery was conducted in Minneapolis in 1952.
City
Attractions in Minneapolis-St Paul
Cathedral of St Paul
Set on a hill, overlooking
the city and the Mississippi River, this impressive cathedral is one of the
country's largest churches. It seats 3000 people. Opening in 1915, it took
nearly a decade to build. It is topped by an enormous 57m-high (186ft) copper
dome. The Shrines of Nations honour the various nationalities that have settled
in Minnesota.
Como Park Zoo &
Conservatory
The 100-year-old-plus
facility is more than just a zoo, although there are interesting animal
attractions like the seal show. With a frog pond and Japanese garden, the
adjacent glassed-domed conservatory is charming. Como Town is a small amusement
park for tots and right outside is a lovely covered carousel with hand-carved
animals. The park itself is surrounded by a golf course, lake and walking
paths.
Frederick R Weisman Art
Museum
This museum features
American artists of the early 20th century, including Georgia O'Keeffe, Marsden
Hartley and Alfred Maurer, as well as work by contemporary artists. The
'World's Fair Mural' at the entrance is by Roy Lichtenstein. The brick and
stainless steel building is itself a sculptural masterpiece, designed by Frank
Gehry, in 1993.
Telephone (612)
625 9494.
Website http://www.weisman.umn.edu
Website http://www.weisman.umn.edu
Historic Fort Snelling
This 1820s US Army outpost
has been restored to depict military life in the frontier era. Costumed guides
on the site demonstrate musket and cannon drills, blacksmithing and other
skills, while the history centre contains exhibits and videos.
Telephone (612) 726 1171.
Website http://www.mnhs.org
James J Hill House
Life in America's
so-called 'Gilded Age' (the late 19th century) is on display in the former home
of Great Northern Railway magnate James J Hill. The enormous stone
Richardsonian Romanesque mansion, completed in 1891, measures 3,240 sq metres
(36,000 sq ft) and is an ode to opulence, with crystal chandeliers,
stained-glass windows, sky-lit art gallery, intricate wood carving and a huge
pipe organ. It's best to reserve tours in advance
Telephone (651) 297 2555.
Website http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Telephone (651) 297 2555.
Website http://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse
Landmark Center
Dedicated as a federal
courthouse, in 1902, this ornate Victorian jewel, with its fairytale turrets
and towers, was saved from demolition in the 1960s and is now used for art
exhibitions and civic activities. Originally, the Landmark Center would have
witnessed many criminal trials, as St Paul was notorious in the 1920s and 1930s
as a safe haven for gangsters like Ma Barker, John Dillinger and George
'Machine Gun' Kelly. Interiors are extravagantly decorated with high ceilings,
marble and mahogany details.
Telephone (651)
292 3233.
Website http://www.landmarkcenter.org
Website http://www.landmarkcenter.org
Mall of America
The largest mall in in the
USA boasts 520 shops, including big names like Macy's and Bloomingdales.
Restaurants and entertainment venues abound. For the kids, there is Lego, a
four-story space dedicated to this popular children's game, and Nickelodeon Universe.
Other distractions include Undersea Adventures Aquarium, Silicon Motor
Speedway, a comedy club and theatres
Telephone (952)
883 8800.
Website http://www.mallofamerica.com
Website http://www.mallofamerica.com
Mill City Museum
The old Gold Medal Flour
factory is now a unique museum. An entertaining Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat
chronicles the area's history. It recalls the time when Minneapolis was the
world's milling capital of the world. Visitors can board a renovated freight
elevator, the Flour Tower, sit on its bleacher-like seats and move up and down
the eight stories. With lights, sound, and commentary from actual mill workers,
they learn about flour milling. On the eighth floor there is a sweeping view of
the Mississippi and St. Anthony Falls.
Telephone (612)
341 7555.
Website http://www.millcitymuseum.org
Website http://www.millcitymuseum.org
Minneapolis Institute of
Arts
Housed in a striking white
marble Beaux Arts building, the Minneapolis Institute of Arts contains an
outstanding collection of over 85,000 artworks, dating back to 2000 BC. These
range from old masters and contemporary regional art to Asian and African pieces.
Highlights include a fine collection of French Impressionists, a tapestry
collection and period rooms.
Telephone 1 888
642 2787.
Website http://www.artsmia.org
Website http://www.artsmia.org
Minnehaha Park
Winding along the
Mississippi River, Minnehaha Park, one of the oldest and most popular parks in
Minneapolis, contains the city's first frame house, located west of the river.
There are views over Minnehaha Falls and a statue commemorating the Native Americans,
Hiawatha and Minnehaha, who were the subjects of Longfellow's famous poem, 'The
Song of Hiawatha'.
Telephone (612)
230 6400.
Website http://www.minneapolisparks.org
Website http://www.minneapolisparks.org
Minnesota History Center
A fantastic snapshot of
Minnesota history and culture. Minnesota's Greatest Generation includes a
1940s-war equipment factory, 1950s TVs, motel sign, soda fountain, 1954 Ford,
movie house and famous Minnesotans like Judy Garland, Bob Dylan and Laura Ingalls
Wilder (Little House on the Prairie). This Must Be Hell takes you into a C47
and recreates paratrooper experiences during the invasion of Normandy. The
authentic 1880s immigrant house chronicles the fifty families who have occupied
it, including Italian, Irish and Hmong.
Telephone (651)
296 6126 or 1 800 657 3773.
Website http://www.mnhs.org
Website http://www.mnhs.org
Minnesota State Capitol
The Italian
Renaissance-style State Capitol building (1904) is an architectural
masterpiece. Over two dozen varieties of marble, granite and sandstone were
used in its construction and throughout the lavish interior. With an impressive
display of statuary and flags, the rotunda and second level are a memorial to
Minnesota Civil War volunteers. The crowning glory is the unsupported marble
dome, which rises 73m (220ft) high. Its hilltop location affords sweeping views
over the city and Mississippi River Valley. Guided tours are available.
Telephone (651)
296 2881.
Website http://www.mnhs.org/statecapitol
Website http://www.mnhs.org/statecapitol
Science Museum of Minnesota
This city favorite
combines science and entertainment, with plenty of hands-on and high-tech
exhibits amid the outstanding collections of fossils and artefacts. The
McKnight-3M Omnitheater shows state-of-the-art IMAX films on a 27m (90ft)
diameter screen and there are also 3D laser shows.
Telephone (651)
221 9444.
Website http://www.smm.org
Website http://www.smm.org
St Paul City Hall
It is well worth your
while to take a quick look-see at this interesting 1920s art deco structure.
Dominating the blue marble lobby is Swedish sculptor, Carl Milles' Vision of Peace.
Erupting between five, peace-pipe smoking Native Americans is the 11m (36ft)
towering white onyx god of peace. In the basement, walls are lined with carved
glass murals, each signifying a chapter of St Paul's past. A guided tour
schedule is available.
Telephone 651) 266 8500.
Website http://www.stpaul.gov
Walker Art
Center
One
of the country's top contemporary art centers, the Walker Art Center has a
revolving collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture featuring works
by Mark Rothko, Andy Warhol, Willem de Kooning and other leading artists. A
building expansion that doubled the Walker's size was completed in 2005. The
adjacent Minneapolis Sculpture Garden covers 4 hectares (11 acres) and is the
largest urban sculpture garden in the USA.
Telephone (612)
375 7600.
Website http://www.walkerart.org
Website http://www.walkerart.org
REFERENCE SITES:
Minneapolis just embraced me. There are a lot of weirdos
here. It's awesome, because I'm a weirdo. Thankfully, the city embraced me with
open arms. A lot about Minneapolis helped carve my musicality and open my eyes.
The whole town is so open-minded compared to like, you know, Texas.
Lizzo
