Minnesota Then

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.

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

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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

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.

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.

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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.

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.

Marjorie Johnson, Minnesota's beloved 'Blue Ribbon Baker,' passes at 106, leaving a legacy of award-winning treats and boundless joy.

Garcia, Augustine 'Augie' (1932 - 1999) The story of Augustine 'Augie' Garcia, the Godfather of Minnesota Rock 'n' Roll.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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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.

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.

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

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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

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

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

YouTube video by tcmedianow Brian Lambert “man on the street” finds out if Block E should be saved (from 1987)

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?...

YouTube video by Twin Cities PBS A Pop Culture Time Machine: Downtown Minneapolis, Circa 1981

Ok. It's still cold outside so I jumped back down the rabbit hole. youtu.be/ifOfSeuotkU?...

YouTube video by Augsburg University Archives Minneapolis Promotional Film (Circa 1968)

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?...

My first post here and most recent article on Minnesota Then. The infamous James-Younger gang's daring bank robbery attempt in Northfield, Minnesota in 1876 was thwarted by the town's citizens, leading to a deadly confrontation.