PODCAST · history
Curious Minnesota
by Minnesota Star Tribune
What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.
Episodes
-
Why does Minnesota seem to have so many water towers?
Once you start noticing Minnesota’s water towers, they seem to be everywhere — and some are impossible to miss. There’s one shaped like a giant ear of corn, another painted like a fishing bobber and an old tower transformed into an enormous Swedish coffee pot. That made Curious Minnesota listener...
-
The secret creek flowing beneath downtown Minneapolis
There’s a creek flowing beneath the streets of downtown Minneapolis — and most people walking above it have no idea it’s there. Bassett Creek begins near Medicine Lake, winds through parks and neighborhoods, then disappears underground before passing beneath Target Field and downtown Minneapolis....
-
What are the stories behind the two harbors of Two Harbors?
Today, Two Harbors is known for its lighthouse, ore docks and scenic Lake Superior shoreline. But in the 1880s, part of its waterfront was home to a notoriously wild strip of saloons and brothels known as Whiskey Row.So how did this rough-and-tumble settlement become the North Shore city we know...
-
When Christo and Jeanne-Claude tried to fly a giant artwork over Minneapolis
Before Christo and Jeanne-Claude became world famous for transforming landmarks and landscapes, they staged one of their strangest early projects in Minneapolis. In 1966, the artists and a group of students built an enormous translucent package stuffed with thousands of colorful balloons — then...
-
The incredible story of a 40-ton grain elevator that crossed a Minnesota river
In 1949, about 2,000 people gathered near the Rapidan Dam to watch something extraordinary: a 40-ton, six-story grain elevator creep across a narrow bridge over the Blue Earth River. Decades later, one witness still remembered the spectacle — and asked Curious Minnesota: How did they possibly…
more -
Why do loons sometimes charge swimmers?
Minnesotans love loons for their haunting calls, striking beauty and adorable chicks that ride on their parents’ backs. But what happens when one of these iconic birds suddenly charges a swimmer? After a young Curious Minnesota listener accidentally swam between a fierce loon and its chicks, he...
-
The forgotten quarry history behind Sandstone, MN's bluffs and climbing cliffs
Sandstone, Minn., is known today for rock climbing, ice climbing and whitewater rafting. But before it became an outdoor recreation destination, it was one of the Midwest's most important sandstone-producing communities. When a Curious Minnesota listener asked about the area's towering quarry...
-
How did meat raffles become a Minnesota tradition?
Meat raffles are a beloved Minnesota bar tradition: Buy a ticket, watch the wheel spin, and maybe go home with steaks, brats or ground beef for dinner. But where did this unusual game of chance come from? In this episode of Curious Minnesota, host Erica Pearson talks with reporter Eleanor...
-
Why Wisconsin (wrongly) claims to have more lakes than Minnesota
Minnesota’s license plates proudly proclaim the state as the land of “10,000 lakes.” But some Wisconsinites insist their state has even more. So who’s right? In this Curious Minnesota episode, Erica Pearson dives into lake science, state pride and a surprisingly fierce border rivalry to explain…
more -
This mysterious tiny building in Minneapolis has a heartwarming backstory
A small white shack near the entrance to Interstate 94 has puzzled Minneapolis commuters for years. It's boarded up, rarely noticed, and easy to dismiss as an abandoned shed. But behind it lies a heartwarming city story. After a Curious Minnesota listener asked about the structure, reporter…
more -
Can you eat the weeds in Minnesota lakes?
What happens when a fishing trip turns into a foraging question? Recording live at the Minnesota Star Tribune’s Strib Unbound Festival, Curious Minnesota investigates whether the weeds growing in Minnesota lakes are actually edible. Inspired by a listener who wondered if the plants tangled on...
-
Will MN ever get a new state park?
In this episode, Curious Minnesota goes live, recording from the Strib Unbound festival at Theodore Wirth Park. Reporter Bob Timmons joins host Erica Pearson to explain why the number of Minnesota’s state parks dropped from 66 to 64 in recent years - and what it will take to get a new one.
-
Solving the mystery of downtown Minneapolis’ mummies
A pair of Ancient Egyptian mummies once were a main reason for visits to Minneapolis' Central Library. They were on display there from the 1880s to the 1980s. But where did they go when the library got out of the museum business? And why were they in Minnesota in the first place? Eleanor...
-
Who were the Minnesotans on board the Titanic?
When the Titanic went down 114 years ago this month, there were 35 Minnesotans on board. Sixteen of them survived, including newlyweds on their way back from a European honeymoon and a young Duluth woman traveling on her own. Reporter Christa Lawler shares their stories with host Erica Pearson.
-
What’s the science behind ice thickness and when is it safe to drive on a lake?
Back in the 1970s, a Canadian ice researcher developed a formula to determine how thick lake ice needed to be for logging trucks to drive across. It helps inform the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources' ice safety guidelines today. Reporter Kim Hyatt talks with host Erica Pearson about the...
-
The story behind Basshenge, one musician’s monumental ode to his instrument
You’ve heard of Stonehenge in England ― but what about Minnesota’s own Basshenge? Reporter Alicia Eler shares its story with host Erica Pearson. The 2001 piece of public art celebrates an instrument — the double bass. Located off Hwy. 11 west of International Falls in the northernmost part of...
-
What’s the history of the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory and the Whipple Building?
The Bishop Henry Whipple Federal Building, the federal government headquarters for U.S. Immigration Court and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, isn’t part of Historic Fort Snelling, but it sits on a small, unincorporated swath of land known as the Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory. Reporter...
-
Introducing Essential Minnesota
A special treat for Curious Listeners: Check out the latest episode of the Minnesota Star Tribune's newest podcast, Essential Minnesota. Even with the announcement that Operation Metro Surge is coming to an end, many Minnesotans are still in hiding. Our reporters visit with one family who has…
more -
What's the history of the abandoned Cold War station in Finland, MN?
An abandoned Air Force station on Lookout Mountain above Lake Superior has become a ghost town. But during the Cold War, it was seen as a crucial spot to watch the skies in case of a Russian attack. Reporter Christa Lawler talks with host Erica Pearson about the station and Minnesota's…
more -
How 'Bachelormania' once swept the town of Herman, Minnesota
“Wanted: A Few Good Women.” That’s how a 1994 Associated Press story about the west-central Minnesota town of Herman began. The tale of the town with 78 bachelors and fewer than a dozen unmarried women became an international media sensation. Jenny Berg caught up with some of those erstwhile...
-
The coldest day in Minnesota history
The coldest day ever recorded in Minnesota was Feb. 2, 1996. Casey Darnell joins host Erica Pearson to talk about what happened when temperatures plunged to a record low of minus 60 in Tower, about 90 miles north of Duluth.
-
How did Minnesota become home to the world's first shopping mall?
Southdale in Edina became the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the world when it opened in 1956. Its architect had a vision to thwart the cold and create an indoor town square where it was always 75 degrees. Southdale spawned thousands of suburban shopping malls across the country, shaping…
more -
How did Mayor Hubert Humphrey change Minneapolis?
Hubert Humphrey was Minneapolis' mayor before he headed to the U.S. Senate and White House. Reporter Eleanor Hildebrandt talks with host Erica Pearson about how his time as mayor shaped the city.
-
Why do so many spam calls come from Norwood Young America, MN?
Your phone rings. It’s a number you don’t recognize, but it’s a Minnesota area code. The caller ID location reads Norwood Young America. If you’ve gotten these spam calls, you’re not alone. Casey Darnell shares the likely story behind the calls with host Erica Pearson. Plus: Is Norwood Young...
-
Lake Superior’s most famous shipwrecks have dramatic tales to tell
The Edmund Fitzgerald went down 50 years ago on Nov. 10, 1977. The ore carrier simply vanished from the surface of Lake Superior. It was an ominous ending — mysterious and tragic, too. Hundreds of other vessels have sunk in the big lake, and shipwreck hunters still work to find their watery…
more -
What happened to Minnesota's original Zombie Pub Crawl?
At its peak, an estimated 35,000 rotting Minnesotans participated in the annual Zombie Pub Crawl, founded 20 years ago. The event grew large enough to set a world record for the largest amount of people dressed as zombies. Then the festival seemed to have its own apocalypse. Our guest is…
more -
What's the oldest bar in Minnesota?
Curious Minnesota goes on a bit of a bar crawl through history. We look into which of the state’s historic watering holes is really Minnesota’s oldest. The question is trickier than you might think.
-
What’s the story of Pipestone National Monument?
For thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried a sacred, soft red rock from a patch of Minnesota prairie. The site is now Pipestone National Monument. Reporter Jp Lawrence joins host Erica Pearson to share the story of this special place.
-
Why do anglers need a special stamp to fish for trout in Minnesota?
Minnesota’s trout stamp, a special add-on to fishing licenses, brings in more than $1 million each year. The program funds fish hatcheries, restocking efforts and more. Reporter Anna Sago joins host Erica Pearson to share the history of the program and give a glimpse into what a day's work is…
more -
How a 13-ton piece of public art no one wanted found a Minnesota home
A scuplture called “The Scroll” once had a prominent spot in downtown Minneapolis. It stood in front of the old central library for more than 4 decades. Alicia Eler, the Minnesota Star Tribune's visual art reporter and critic, joins host Erica Pearson to tell the story of how the sculpture…
more -
How did hundreds of ‘Old Order’ Amish wind up in Minnesota’s Driftless Area?
Harmony, Minnesota is home to the largest Amish settlement in the state. The "Old Order" community is also one of the most conservative of its kind in the country. Reporter Sean Baker joins host Erica Pearson to explain why and when the Amish selected this sliver of southeast Minnesota to call home.
-
What happened after a Minnesota man found ancient bison bones?
Nearly 8,000 years ago, in the wild expanse of what is now southwestern Minnesota, a primal drama of survival unfolded. Early Plains Archaic hunters ambushed a herd of massive, now-extinct bison. Then, in 1988 a Granite Falls man found bones while digging in his pasture. Reporter Jp Lawrence…
more -
How a small Minnesota town ‘seceded’ from the U.S.
In the summer of 1977, the leaders of a small Iron Range town made a rather bold announcement: Kinney, Minn., had seceded from the United States. The statement was tongue-in-cheek, but the town’s situation wasn’t funny. The story of the Republic of Kinney is one of dismissed town needs, a wacky,...
-
What happened after Herman, Minnesota's bachelormania?
The Minnesota town of Herman gained notoriety in the 1990s for having nearly 80 bachelors and fewer than a dozen unmarried women. During Herman’s time as “Bachelortown, U.S.A.”, its eligible bachelor farmers were seemingly everywhere — including on “The Oprah Winfrey Show." Reporter Jenny Berg...
-
Why are there two seafood plants in the small Minnesota town of Motley?
The small Minnesota town of Motley, despite being so far from the ocean, is home to seafood plants that process millions of pounds of imitation crab. More than 500 people work in the seafood business there. It all began with a business called Morey's Seafood. Reporter Brooks Johnson joined host...
-
Introducing: Worth It
We’re excited to introduce Worth It, a new show from The Minnesota Star Tribune and Lemonada Media. Each week, editor Nicole Norfleet and columnist Aaron Brown are joined by people who know Minnesota inside and out – reaching into the spaces you might not know to share the stories worth your...
-
How an unexpected gift launched Minnesota’s oldest zoo
Como Zoo in St. Paul is more than 120 years old, and was the metro area's primary zoo for many decades. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss the origins of the zoo, and how it has changed over the years. LINKS: How an unexpected gift launched Minnesota’s oldest zoo
-
What’s the smallest town in Minnesota with a mayor?
Just under 6,000 people in Minnesota live in a town with a population under 100, according to the state demographer. The dynamics of Minnesota's smallest cities are an interesting facet of rural life in the state. Reporters Kim Hyatt and JP Lawrence joined host Eric Roper to discuss their visits…
more -
Who decides what’s allowed on a vanity plate in Minnesota?
Vanity license plates let Minnesotans go beyond the standard "Land of 10,000 Lakes" motto to share their professions and passions. But who is in charge of approving applications for these plates and what criteria do they use? Tim Harlow joins host Erica Pearson to give a glimpse into the Driver…
more -
Why is the loon Minnesota’s state bird? It almost didn’t happen.
Minnesota's love of loons is everywhere these days, from license plates to our pro soccer team's nickname. But it took decades for lawmakers to make the loon our state bird. The goldfinch and scarlet tanager are among the others that nearly took the title instead. Kevin Duchschere joins host…
more -
Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close?
Many Minnesotans have memories of visiting Excelsior Amusement Park on the shores of Lake Minnetonka. The popular theme park operated from the 1920s to the 1970s. Today, it is the site of condominiums and Maynard's restaurant. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss this once-prominent…
more -
How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America?
Ski jumping originated in Norway, but its American story begins in Minnesota in the late 1800s. It has since become an enduring part of the winter Olympics. Erica Pearson joins host Eric Roper to discuss the long history of ski jumping in Minnesota. LINKS: How did Minnesota become the birthplace…
more -
What’s the coldest Minnesota has ever been?
On the coldest day recorded in Minnesota history, two towns hoped that their official thermometer would give the lowest reading. It was Feb 2, 1996, and news reporters from around the state gathered in Tower and Embarrass. When one town prevailed, a man hammered nails with a frozen banana to...
-
Introducing "Ghost of a Chance" - Episode 1
We are excited to give Curious Minnesota listeners a preview of the Minnesota Star Tribune's first narrative podcast, "Ghost of a Chance." The six-episode series is reported by Eric Roper and produced by Melissa Townsend, with new episodes appearing every Monday. At its core, the show is about...
-
What happened to Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America?
Many Minnesotans are still nostalgic for the Mall of America's original theme park: Camp Snoopy. They remember details like the giant red dog bowl where groups met up, the Snoopy bounce house and the whimsical fountain. Greta Kaul joins host Erica Pearson to explain why Peanuts left the mall in...
-
Minnesota’s ghost towns are a relic of grand visions gone awry
Minnesota is home to a number of abandoned towns that flourished earlier in their history. These ghost towns began with grand visions and enjoyed growing prosperity – until something changed. Anna Boone joins host Erica Pearson to explore the stories behind some of the state's most intriguing…
more -
Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so nice?
Rest areas are a common site on roadways across Minnesota. While they are easy to overlook, rest areas also serve an important purpose for driver safety. And it turns out that Minnesota has some of the nation's most exceptional rest areas. Reporter Erica Pearson joined host Eric Roper to discuss...
-
What’s behind the stereotype that Minnesotans don’t like spicy food?
After Gov. Tim Walz joked about the state's low spice tolerance in a campaign video, a reader asked Curious Minnesota about the origins of the idea that Minnesotans don't like spicy food. The cultural stereotype is so pervasive in the state that many restaurants include menu warnings or simply...
-
How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul?
The Old Dutch potato chip company is a regional icon in the Midwest, known for its twin pack box. They have been frying potatoes for 90 years. And it all began in a kitchen in St. Paul. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins host Erica Pearson to talk about the company's history and what it was like when…
more -
How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities
A surplus of military Quonset huts after World War II provided a unique solution to a housing shortage in Minnesota and across the country. Steph Quinn joins host Eric Roper to discuss these temporary neighborhoods. LINKS: How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.
HOSTED BY
Minnesota Star Tribune
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Curious Minnesota have?
Curious Minnesota currently has 147 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Curious Minnesota about?
What do you wonder about the people, places and culture of Minnesota? Listen to our community-driven reporting project, which invites listeners to ask questions that our newsroom researches and answers.
How often does Curious Minnesota release new episodes?
Curious Minnesota publishes regularly with 147 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Curious Minnesota?
You can listen to Curious Minnesota on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Curious Minnesota?
Curious Minnesota is created and hosted by Minnesota Star Tribune.
URL copied to clipboard!