Plane Crash on Minnehaha Creek

University of Minnesota student Harold Cahn was a little bored on a Tuesday night. He was studying at home with classmates when he did what so many other college students have done. He mused aloud that he “wished that something exciting would happen.” Moments later, just after 9pm on Tuesday, March 7th, 1950, he got more excitement than he asked for.

The Oaklands on 9th

One lone building stands surrounded by the parking lots in downtown Minneapolis. It is obviously an old building with an ornate architectural style, but why not just knock it down and build new structures to fill up this valuable real estate? How has this building survived so long?

The Controversial Cullen House

The unusual stone home at 698 Stewart Avenue in St. Paul seems slightly “off”. It looks like a mixture of many architectural styles and, in this case, it is because this home has had many lives. In the beginning, it was home to a very controversial person you’ve probably never heard of.

"The Shame of Minneapolis"

The Minneapolis mayoral election of 1900 was pivotal in the history of our city. At a time when the city was ready to buck the boring old leaders and maybe try someone new, someone popular, an outsider with fresh ideas, they opened the door to a man unfit for office. It ushered in an era of crime that would tarnish Minneapolis’ reputation, cost a fortune, and harmed thousands of people.

The Railroad & Bank Building

James J. Hill’s mansion on Summit Avenue in Saint Paul is a symbol of his massive wealth and is a fascinating home to get a glimpse of what a wealthy lifestyle in the Victorian era would look like. However, if you really want to understand James J. Hill’s historical relevance in the business realm, there is another building that you should see.

The Hill Heir Not So Apparent - James N. Hill

James J. Hill was a force to be reckoned with. Not only in Minnesota or United States’ history, but worldwide. He was also a father. He and his wife, Mary, had 9 children that grew to adulthood. Their eldest child, Mary Frances (“Mamie”), was sharp, smart and independent, but a girl. James Norman Hill was the oldest son and the presumptive heir to the Great Northern Railway Empire, but in the end lost the throne to his younger brother, Louis.

This is NOT a Carriage House

A lot of people who visit the James J. Hill house on Summit Avenue have questions about this smaller building at the end of the driveway. Contrary to popular belief, this is NOT a carriage house. It’s a gatehouse (there IS a difference) and it served two purposes. 

Ayd Mill Road

In 2024, the Minnesota Department of Transportation was a little embarrassed when they were notified they had misspelled a road sign in Saint Paul. Drivers were confused by signs with two different spellings. Ady? Ayd? Which one was right? Where did the name even come from?