Curious Minnesota

Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close? Feb 28, 2025

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 local attraction.

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Why did the Excelsior Amusement Park on Lake Minnetonka close?

How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America? Feb 13, 2025

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.

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How did Minnesota become the birthplace of ski jumping in America?

What’s the coldest Minnesota has ever been? Jan 24, 2025

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 celebrate. Casey Darnell joins host Erica Pearson to talk about that record-breaking day.

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What’s the coldest Minnesota has ever been?

Introducing "Ghost of a Chance" - Episode 1 Jan 17, 2025

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 following your curiosity into Minnesota history. You can find "Ghost of a Chance" wherever you access podcasts (here are links to Apple Podcasts and Spotify) or here on our website.

This is the show description:

When reporter Eric Roper buys a lovely 113-year-old house in Minneapolis, he wants to find out everything he can about its history. But he quickly becomes obsessed with one couple who owned the house 100 years ago. Harry and Clementine Robinson send him down a surprising rabbit hole into an incredible history he never heard before. As he artfully and meticulously pieces together the remarkable story of their lives, we find out what the Robinsons reveal about a history of race in Minneapolis -- the city that became ground zero for an unprecedented global racial reckoning.

What happened to Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America? Jan 10, 2025

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 2006 and how the park eventually became Nickelodeon Universe.

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What happened to Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America?

Minnesota’s ghost towns are a relic of grand visions gone awry Dec 06, 2024

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 ghost towns.

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Minnesota’s ghost towns are a relic of grand visions gone awry

Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so nice? Nov 14, 2024

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 the history, function and design of these facilities.

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Why are Minnesota’s roadside rest areas so nice?

What’s behind the stereotype that Minnesotans don’t like spicy food? Oct 31, 2024

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 offer versions of dishes with extremely minimal seasoning. Reporter Susan Du joins host Erica Pearson to unpack the geography, cultural history and science behind it.

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What’s behind the stereotype that Minnesotans don’t like spicy food?

How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul? Oct 10, 2024

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 he toured their Roseville plant.

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How did Old Dutch potato chips get started in St. Paul?

How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities Sep 26, 2024

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.

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How Quonset huts helped solve the post-WWII housing crisis in the Twin Cities

How did the Minnesota Star Tribune get its start? Aug 29, 2024

This special episode of Curious Minnesota was recorded at the State Fair on August 28th. Erica Pearson and Eric Roper discussed the origins of the Minnesota Star Tribune, which dates back to Minneapolis' incorporation as a city in 1867. The Strib is a descendant of three very different papers. The conversation also delved into what life was like on Minneapolis' Newspaper Row.

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How did the Minnesota Star Tribune get its start?

Fairgoers tell us their questions about Minnesota Aug 28, 2024

We had a blast chatting with fairgoers on Curious Minnesota Day at the Minnesota Star Tribune's State Fair building. Today's episode is a roundup of the questions we recorded.

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Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Why is Minnesota's Democratic Party called the DFL?

How Mayo Clinic became one of the world's most famous medical centers

Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes Aug 22, 2024

Minnesota takes great pride in its lakes. "10,000 Lakes" is even emblazoned on the state's license plates. But at least some people in Wisconsin think their state has more lakes than Minnesota. It's because there's not one standard for what defines a lake.

A reader wanted to know more about why the states are measuring their lakes differently. Erica Pearson, who wrote a story on this topic for Curious Minnesota, digs into the details with host Eric Roper.

LINKS:

Why Wisconsin claims — incorrectly — to have more lakes than the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Why does Minnesota have so many lakes?

Curious Minnesota at the State Fair! 8/24 (Saturday) and 8/28 (Wednesday) Aug 19, 2024

Curious Minnesota will be hosting events at the Minnesota Star Tribune's State Fair building on Saturday, August 24th and Wednesday, August 28th.

Why did Minneapolis close Nicollet Avenue for a Kmart? Aug 09, 2024

Anyone who has spent time in south Minneapolis over the last 50 years has likely run across the unusual intersection at Lake Street and Nicollet Avenue. These are two of the city's most important thoroughfares. But the city decided in the 1970s to close Nicollet at Lake Street so a Kmart store could extend over a portion of two blocks. Adelie Bergström joins host Eric Roper to discuss what led to this controversial decision.

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Why did Minneapolis close Nicollet Avenue for a Kmart?

Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture? Jul 19, 2024

Minnesota is known for its Scandinavian roots, which are apparent in everything from the Vikings football team to the Norwegian bachelor farmers of Lake Wobegon. But more residents report having German ancestry than Scandinavian. So why isn't that German heritage more reflected more in the state's culture?

Reporter Greta Kaul joins host Eric Roper to discuss the effort to erase German culture in the state around World War I.

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Why did Minnesota erase much of its German culture?

Is Minnesota actually more German than Scandinavian?

What is the oldest tree in Minnesota? Jul 02, 2024

We've talked about some old things on the podcast, including the state's oldest building and one of the world's oldest rocks. Today's episode is about a journey to visit another Minnesota artifact: the state's oldest known tree. Star Tribune cartographer Jake Steinberg and photographer Anthony Soufflé join host Eric Roper to discuss their winter trip to the Boundary Waters to report on this topic.

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This ancient tree is one of the oldest in Minnesota. The warming climate might kill it.

Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened? Jun 17, 2024

Like many states, Minnesota shuttered the controversial institutions that once housed mentally ill people. But the plan to replace these facilities with new types of treatment options remains incomplete. Reporter Chris Snowbeck joins host Eric Roper to discuss the important and complex history of mental health care in Minnesota.

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Emptying state institutions was supposed to help fix mental health care. What happened?

Chris Snowbeck's 2023 series on mental health care: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.

How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota? May 31, 2024

Minnesotans wanting to gamble have many options these days. They can visit a Native American casino, buy scratch-off games at a gas station, yank open pull-tabs at a bar or even play bingo at a church fish fry. But this is a fairly recent phenomenon. Reporter Alex Chhith joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of gambling in Minnesota.

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How did gambling develop into a major industry in Minnesota?

Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul? May 17, 2024

It was difficult to walk around downtown St. Paul in the early 2000s without running into Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and Charlie Brown. Over five summers, the "Peanuts on Parade" public art campaign peppered the beloved comic strip characters throughout creator Charles Schulz's hometown. Reporter Katie Galioto joins host Eric Roper to discuss the background of this project, and where some of these statues can be found today.

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Searching for Snoopy: What happened to all the 'Peanuts' statues in St. Paul?

What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life? May 02, 2024

Pacemakers, Post-it notes and Spam rank among the state's best-known inventions. But creative Minnesotans devised hundreds of other products we take for granted. Reporter Brooks Johnson dug into this issue for Curious Minnesota and found so many interesting Minnesota inventions that he wrote two stories.

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What Minnesota inventions have shaped modern life?

Skid-steers, Softsoap and Nerf: 8 more Minnesota inventions that changed the world

What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones? Apr 19, 2024

The familiar image of a stoic Native American chief wearing a headdress is in many ways a core American cultural stereotype. It has been memorialized in films and statutes, as well as exploited to sell cigarettes and motorcycles. But who are these celebrated figures of the past? Mark Boswell joins host Eric Roper to discuss the roles that Native American chiefs played and introduce some of the state's most prominent chiefs.

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Garbage graphic / River wall graphic

What roles did Minnesota's Native American chiefs play? And who were some notable ones? (February 2024 Curious Minnesota story)

In the Footsteps of Little Crow (eBook)

Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape? Apr 04, 2024

Maplewood arguably has the strangest border of any city in the Twin Cities metro area. Its L shape wraps around the northern and eastern edges of St. Paul. The origins of that border reveals an interesting history of development patterns in the east metro. Reporter Greta Kaul joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Maplewood was born out of leftover land -- and became home to a signature Minnesota company.

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Why does Maplewood have such an odd shape?

Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? (Podcast, May 2023)

Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? (Story, March 2023)

How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges? Mar 22, 2024

St. Olaf and Carleton colleges have left a big mark on the world. Their alumni have reached the highest levels of entertainment, the arts, politics and the legal system. A reader wanted to know how these two prominent private colleges ended up in Northfield, a small city just south of the Twin Cities metro area.

Reporter Trey Mewes, who wrote a story on this topic for Curious Minnesota, discusses the interesting tale behind these institutions with host Eric Roper.

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How did Northfield become home to St. Olaf and Carleton colleges? (February 2024 Curious Minnesota article)

Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra? Mar 08, 2024

Sometimes rejection is the beginning of an exciting new path in life. That's one takeaway from today's episode about Leonard Bernstein, who once planned to work at the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now the Minnesota Orchestra). Reporter Jenna Ross joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Bernstein's complex relationship with his mentor nearly landed him in Minnesota.

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Did union rules prevent Leonard Bernstein from joining the Minnesota Orchestra? (January 2024 Curious Minnesota story)

The Curious Minnesota Collection

What does it mean when Minnesota courts sentence offenders to 'the workhouse'? Feb 23, 2024

It's not uncommon in Minnesota to see a news story about someone being sentenced to "the workhouse." But what is a workhouse? It turns out Minnesota is one of the only states still using this term, which describes unique facilities that are neither jails nor prisons. Reporter Kim Hyatt joins host Eric Roper to talk about what happens in a workhouse, who is sentenced there and the long history behind these correctional facilities.

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What does it mean when Minnesota courts sentence offenders to 'the workhouse'? (February 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

What is Minnesota's deepest lake? Feb 01, 2024

Sometimes, what seems like a simple question unravels into something much more complex and surprising than we expected. That was the case with the question behind today's episode, regarding the deepest lake in Minnesota. Reporter Chloe Johnson and graphics artist Jake Steinberg join host Eric Roper to discuss their reporting journey to find which lake dips the lowest.

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What is Minnesota's deepest lake? (November 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

How did Minnesota become the nation's top turkey state? Jan 18, 2024

Minnesota has been a national leader in turkey production since the 1950s, and No. 1 for the last two decades. That wouldn't have been possible without collaboration between farmers and researchers at the University of Minnesota. Christopher Vondracek joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Minnesota became such a turkey powerhouse.

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How did Minnesota become the nation's top turkey state? (November 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

How much flour would it take to turn Lake Superior into bread? Jan 05, 2024

Our winning question from the State Fair required some serious mathematics to answer. But the bakers at Duluth's Best Bread were up to the challenge. Reporter Christa Lawler joined host Eric Roper to discuss the logistics behind the Lake Superior Loaf.

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How much flour would it take to turn Lake Superior into bread? (October 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

MetaFilter thread about the article

Did teenagers 'riot' when the Beatles stayed in downtown Minneapolis in 1965? Dec 15, 2023

The Beatles' 1965 concert in Bloomington was a memorable evening for many young fans. But that event was just the beginning of a long night for some ardent followers of the Fab Four. Reporter Zoë Jackson joins host Eric Roper to discuss what happened in downtown Minneapolis after the show.

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Did teenagers 'riot' when the Beatles stayed in downtown Minneapolis in 1965? (June 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Minneapolis police press conference about the Beatles

Did a Nazi sympathizer once represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate? Dec 01, 2023

Ernest Lundeen spent three decades trying to succeed in Minnesota politics. But it was his final years as a U.S. Senator representing the state that have defined his legacy, since Lundeen was spreading Nazi propaganda in the runup to America's intervention in World War II. Kevin Duchschere discusses his Curious Minnesota article on Lundeen with host Eric Roper.

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Did a Nazi sympathizer once represent Minnesota in the U.S. Senate? (February 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

How did Kid Cann become Minneapolis' most infamous gangster? Nov 17, 2023

Isadore Blumenfeld, a.k.a. Kid Cann, is the arguably biggest name in the criminal history of Minneapolis. He earned millions as a bootlegger during Prohibition and soon became a powerbroker in the city's corrupt political system. He was accused of many crimes -- which garnered big headlines in local papers -- but almost always beat the charges. Reporter Andy Mannix joins host Eric Roper to discuss his Curious Minnesota profile of Blumenfeld.

How did Kid Cann become Minneapolis' most infamous gangster? (September 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Was organized crime behind the demise of streetcars in the Twin Cities? (December 2021 Curious Minnesota podcast)

Was Moorhead once a drinking destination? Nov 02, 2023

Different laws -- and cultures -- sometimes collide at the borders between states. An example of this occurred in the late 1800s in the twin cities of Fargo and Moorhead, at the North Dakota-Minnesota border. North Dakota's prohibition on alcohol sent many people across the river seeking booze in Moorhead. Reporter Reid Forgrave joins host Eric Roper to discuss this interesting slice of Moorhead's history.

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Forgrave's Curious Minnesota article (September 2023)

Why did Spam become an international sensation? Oct 19, 2023

Nearly 90 years since its invention in Minnesota, Spam's legacy extends far beyond the state. The pork product's importance during World War II gave it a large fanbase and spawned new international cuisine. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins host Eric Roper to discuss Spam's unique history.

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Why did Spam become an international sensation? (August 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen? Oct 06, 2023

Prince was raised in Minneapolis, but settled in Chanhassen as his career blossomed. Why Chanhassen? Star Tribune music critic Jon Bream, who has been covering Prince since the 1970s, explains the backstory behind the musician's decision to live in the western Twin Cities suburbs.

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Why did Prince decide to live in Chanhassen? (June 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Tell us your favorite State Fair question

State Fair attendees tell us their Minnesota questions Sep 22, 2023

No event is more quintessentially Minnesotan than the State Fair. So it was important that Curious Minnesota be there to hear what was on fairgoers' minds.

We set up shop at the Star Tribune's State Fair building on September 2. In the morning, we solicited questions from fairgoers. We put many of these questions on a large board. In the afternoon, we asked people to vote on their favorite question.

Let us know which question is your favorite in this poll.

Why is Minnesota such a hotbed of professional wrestling? Sep 08, 2023

Minnesota features prominently in the history of professional wrestling. Minneapolis was a prominent "hub" for the sport before promotions like the WWE made it a worldwide sensation. Reporter Stephen Montemayor joins host Eric Roper to discuss pro wrestling's background in the state.

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Why is Minnesota such a hotbed of professional wrestling? (June 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Curious Minnesota at the State Fair this Saturday Aug 29, 2023

Saturday, September 2 is Curious Minnesota Day at the Star Tribune's State Fair building! Stop by anytime between 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. We will be soliciting questions from fairgoers in the morning and asking people to vote on their favorite questions in the afternoon.

Why did Minnesota once require margarine to be dyed pink? Aug 24, 2023

The introduction of margarine in the United States in the late 1800s was very controversial in butter-producing states like Minnesota. Prompted by fears that margarine would undercut butter in the marketplace, lawmakers in Minnesota and elsewhere imposed taxes and regulations to tamp down margarine's success -- including a requirement that it be dyed pink. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins host Eric Roper to discuss this surprising tale from Minnesota history.

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Why did Minnesota once require margarine to be dyed pink? (June 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

How did Tonka trucks get their start in Minnesota? Jun 29, 2023

Many people alive today have memories of Tonka trucks, which have been an enduring element of the children's toy market for more than 70 years. Now owned by Hasbro, these realistic metal toys were invented and once manufactured in the western Twin Cities suburb of Mound. Reporter Nick Williams joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Tonka got its start in Minnesota.

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How did Tonka trucks get their start in Minnesota? (April 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Inside the mines and megamachines of the Iron Range Jun 19, 2023

Minnesota's Iron Range essentially fueled America's success story as the country's largest source of iron ore. Curious Minnesota journeyed north to U.S. Steel's Keetac taconite mine to see how some of the state's largest machines make the raw ingredients for American steel. The trip was inspired by the Munson family's quest to find the state's largest machine, which was the subject of a January Curious Minnesota column.

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What is the largest machine in Minnesota? (January 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Inside the mines and megamachines of the Iron Range (May 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge? Jun 02, 2023

It was once considered "manifest destiny" that Minneapolis and St. Paul would become one city. A conjoined municipality would have a population similar to Seattle and Denver. But this idea never took off, despite simmering in the public discourse for many decades. The Star Tribune's Kevin Duchschere joins host Eric Roper to discuss why the central cities of the Twin Cities region remained separate.

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Why didn't Minneapolis and St. Paul ever merge? (March 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Why does Minnesota have municipal liquor stores? May 19, 2023

In some parts of Minnesota, buying a case of beer or a bottle of wine means visiting a city-owned liquor store -- or "muni." Minnesota's law allowing cities to have a monopoly over liquor sales within their boundaries is unlike most other states. Host Eric Roper talks with Maya Marchel Hoff about the Prohibition-era history behind Minnesota's municipal liquor stores.

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Why does Minnesota have municipal liquor stores? (March 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Detailed information about how each "control state" regulates alcohol (National Alcohol Beverage Control Association)

Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? May 05, 2023

Minnesota's largest city, Minneapolis, is much smaller than cities elsewhere in the country that it considers peers -- like Seattle and Denver. This is partly because the city did not annex its surrounding suburbs. (It is also because Minneapolis and St. Paul never merged, a topic for a future episode.) Eric Roper joins host Ash Miller to discuss why the greater Minneapolis area fragmented into a web of small cities -- instead of consolidating into a larger municipality.

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Why didn't Minneapolis gobble up its suburbs? (March 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed? Apr 21, 2023

Gray squirrels are so plentiful in cities today that it is difficult to imagine urban life without them. But their introduction to Minneapolis parks in the early 1900s was carefully orchestrated by park superintendent Theodore Wirth. Reporter Susan Du joins host Eric Roper to discuss how Wirth supplanted red squirrels with gray ones -- and the pitfalls of attempting to control nature.

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Did a famed parks leader import gray squirrels to Minneapolis — and have the red ones killed? (January 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

Why was the utopian plan for Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside area never built? Apr 07, 2023

The towers now known as Riverside Plaza are among the most recognizable buildings in Minneapolis. Their colorful panels make them easy to spot from the busy freeways that surround the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood. But these buildings were supposed to be just the first phase an ambitious, utopian plan to transform this area. What happened? Adelie Bergström joins host Eric Roper to discuss why this controversial vision fell apart in the 1970s.

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Why was the utopian plan for Minneapolis' Cedar-Riverside area never built? (February 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

How did the Twin Cities become a hub for Somali immigrants? (January 2020 Curious Minnesota podcast)

A photo of the Cedar-Riverside area in 1966.

What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball? Mar 24, 2023

Many Minnesotans today grew up when the Weatherball was one of the most prominent landmarks of Minneapolis' skyline. The massive sign stood atop the Northwestern National Bank building between 1949 and 1983. John Reinan joins host Eric Roper to discuss where this well-known Twin Cities artifact ended up, and its history in downtown.

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What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball? (February 2023 Curious Minnesota story)

How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII Mar 10, 2023

Billions of bullets flowed from the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant in Arden Hills in its heyday during World War II. The campus was home to about 25,000 employees during the war, about half of them women. Today it is one of the largest shovel-ready development sites in the metro area. Shannon Prather joins host Eric Roper to discuss the unique history of the plant.

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How a Twin Cities ammunition factory dominated by women helped U.S. win WWII (January 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

Why was the Mall of America built in Minnesota? Feb 23, 2023

The Mall of America is one of Minnesota's most well-known landmarks, three decades after it was built in Bloomington. But why was the country's largest indoor shopping center constructed in Minnesota? Nadine Manske joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of this unique place.

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Why was the Mall of America built in Minnesota? (December 2022 Curious Minnesota article)

Why does Minnesota sometimes get colder than the North Pole? Feb 09, 2023

Let's talk about Minnesota's favorite topic: The weather. Minnesota's bitter winters are part of the state's national identity. But how cold is it, really? Is it really colder than the North Pole? Ash Miller talks to Eric Roper about why the answer isn't as simple as it may seem.

Why does Minnesota sometimes get colder than the North Pole? (December 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Read about the coldest day in Minnesota history (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)

How did Minnesota become a window manufacturing hub? Jan 26, 2023

Minnesota's largest window companies, Marvin and Andersen Windows & Doors, are well known across the nation. The state actually has the second-highest concentration of window and door manufacturing jobs in the country. So how did Minnesota become a window hub? Reporter Nick Williams joins host Eric Roper to discuss the industry's history in the state.

LINKS:

SURVEY: Help us improve the Curious Minnesota podcast

How did Minnesota become a window manufacturing hub? (August 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Why are there so many stucco homes in the Twin Cities? Jan 13, 2023

About 45% of single-family homes in Minneapolis have stucco siding, along with nearly a third of the homes in St. Paul. What's behind this trend among older homes in the Twin Cities? Reporter Nancy Ngo joins host Eric Roper to discuss the reasons the region has so many stucco homes.

LINKS:

SURVEY: Help us improve the Curious Minnesota podcast

Why are there so many stucco homes in the Twin Cities? (April 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened? Dec 29, 2022

Like in flour and lumber milling, Minnesota companies once dominated the field of supercomputing. Firms like Univac, Control Data and Cray Research built some of the fastest computers in the world. But their success didn't last, despite the growth of the computer industry overall.

Evan Ramstad joins host Eric Roper to discuss the origins of these companies, and why they faded from the spotlight.

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Minnesota companies once dominated the supercomputer industry. What happened? (November 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian) Dec 15, 2022

Minnesota has more residents of Finnish ancestry than any other state. That's the result of mass immigration from Finland that occurred in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The story of Finns immigrating to Minnesota is distinct from the Swedes and Norwegians. Eric Roper, who wrote a story on this topic, discusses the reasons why with Ash Miller.

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Why did Finnish immigrants come to Minnesota? (And no, they're not Scandinavian)

Did a TV debate decide one of Minnesota's most scandalous elections? Dec 02, 2022

It has been more than 30 years since one of the most bizarre elections in recent Minnesota history. The Republican-endorsed candidate for governor, Jon Grunseth, withdrew from the race just days before Election Day amid a cloud of allegations. His last-minute replacement on the ballot, Arne Carlson, went on to defeat DFL incumbent Rudy Perpich -- the state's longest-serving governor. Reporter Randy Furst joins Eric Roper to discuss the campaign and a television debate that may have impacted the outcome of the election.

Debate clip used with permission by Twin Cities Public Television.

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Did a TV debate decide one of Minnesota's most scandalous elections? (September 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Who was Hennepin and why did Minnesota name so many things after him? Nov 11, 2022

Father Louis Hennepin's name is prevalent around the Twin Cities. The state's most populous county is named after this 17th century Catholic priest, as are a prominent Minneapolis avenue and countless public facilities. So who was Father Hennepin? Kevin Duchschere joins Ash Miller to discuss Hennepin's travels in Minnesota, and why his name became so closely affiliated with the area.

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Who was Hennepin and why did Minnesota name so many things after him? (October 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Does Minnesota really have the 'World's Oldest Rock'? Oct 27, 2022

Historical markers peppered around Minnesota help keep the state’s rich history alive. But few are as intriguing — and controversial — as the landmark for Minnesota’s most ancient artifact: the “World’s Oldest Rock.” Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the 3.5-billion-year-old history behind this claim on a historical marker in Granite Falls. And they delve into the reasons why Minnesota boasts some very unique geology.

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Does Minnesota really have the 'World's Oldest Rock'? (August 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

How lumberjacks harnessed an 'ocean of pine' to build Minnesota Aug 29, 2022

Minnesota's flour milling prowess is a well-known part of the state's history. But the area's milling legacy began with sawmills that turned the state's white pine trees into lumber. By 1905, Minneapolis was the top lumber market in the world. Transporting these logs to mills was no easy task. The Star Tribune's Christa Lawler joins host Eric Roper to discuss the logistics of how this booming industry worked.

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How lumberjacks harnessed an 'ocean of pine' to build Minnesota

Why has the Park Board allowed the 'birthplace of Minneapolis' to deteriorate? Aug 12, 2022

The John H. Stevens House in Minnehaha Park is arguably the most important structure relating to Minneapolis' origin story. But the exterior of the property is in rough shape after years of deferred maintenance. Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the unique history of the house, and why it has been allowed to deteriorate.

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Why has the Park Board allowed the 'birthplace of Minneapolis' to deteriorate? (July 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Discover the hidden house in Minnehaha Park where Minneapolis was born (June 2021 Star Tribune magazine story)

Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota? Jul 28, 2022

Minnesota has more residents of Norwegian and Swedish ancestry than any other state, due to a wave of immigration from those countries in the 19th Century. But why did those immigrants choose Minnesota? Eric Roper and Ash Miller discuss the factors that caused people to leave Scandinavian countries in the 1800s, and how Minnesota became a major destination.

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Why did Scandinavian immigrants choose Minnesota? (May 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Is Minnesota actually more German than Scandinavian? (January 2020 Curious Minnesota story)

Was Charles Lindbergh a Nazi sympathizer? Jul 14, 2022

Any list of the most famous Minnesotans who ever lived should include Charles Lindbergh, who became a worldwide celebrity when he completed the first nonstop flight from New York to Paris in 1927. But Lindbergh's controversial statements and actions in the years preceding Pearl Harbor have become an enduring aspect of his legacy.

The Star Tribune's Kevin Duchschere joins the show to discuss Lindbergh's life and whether the famous aviator was a Nazi sympathizer.

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Was Charles Lindbergh a Nazi sympathizer? (June 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Why isn't Minnesota's sacrifice at Gettysburg better remembered? Jun 30, 2022

Some people believe that the battle of Gettysburg would have ended differently had it not been for the heroism of the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry regiment. Their sacrifice in 1863 is a landmark event from Minnesota's early history as a state. Readers wanted to know why it isn't better remembered today. The Star Tribune's Kevin Duchschere joins the show to discuss the battle and the First Minnesota's legacy.

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Why isn't Minnesota's sacrifice at Gettysburg better remembered? (February 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

What was the first movie filmed in Minnesota? Jun 16, 2022

While "Fargo" is undoubtedly the most famous movie filmed in Minnesota, it was far from the first. Star Tribune movie critic Chris Hewitt talks with host Ash Miller about the film "Free Air," which shot in Minnesota during the early 1920s. It is a film that -- quite possibly -- no living person has ever actually seen.

What was the first movie filmed in Minnesota? (December 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Most of America's Silent Films are Lost Forever (2013 article from The Atlantic)

How did Nicollet Island transform from an industrial hub to a public park? Jun 03, 2022

Nicollet Island is arguably the most unusual park in a city known for its parks. Located beside downtown Minneapolis, it is an oasis of green space in the heart of the urban core. It was once home to some of the city's most prominent industrialists, as well as factories powered by the Mississippi River. But it has undergone a major transformation in roughly the last half century.

Chris and Rushika Hage, authors of a book about Nicollet Island, join host Eric Roper to discuss the island's history and how it came to look the way it does today.

LINKS:

How did Nicollet Island become parkland with private housing on it? (May 2019 Curious Minnesota story)

A before and after aerial view of the island showing how it has changed

How an inside joke led to St. Cloud getting its name May 19, 2022

What do a medieval French prince and an 1800s Minnesota sawmill owner have in common? They're both key figures in the wild story of how the city of St. Cloud got its name. The Star Tribune's St. Cloud reporter Jenny Berg joins host Ash Miller to share the tale and talk about the series of equally strange events that followed.

LINKS:

How did St. Cloud get its name? (July 2021 Curious Minnesota article)

St. Cloud Today newsletter sign up

The hidden electrical system that keeps our lights on May 05, 2022

Generating electricity and getting it to houses and businesses across Minnesota is a round-the-clock effort that is easy to take for granted. Star Tribune energy reporter Mike Hughlett joins host Eric Roper to discuss where Minnesota's power comes from, how it's distributed and who oversees our regional power grid.

LINKS:

Where does Twin Cities electricity come from and how is it delivered to homes? (August 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Why do Minnesotans have accents? Apr 21, 2022

The Minnesota accent is ubiquitous in the Land of 10,000 Lakes. But where does it come from?

Keely Wolter, a Richfield-based accent and dialogue coach, joins the Star Tribune's Hannah Sayle and Rachel Hutton to discuss the accent's origins and what defines this uniquely Minnesotan way of speaking.

LINKS:

Why do Minnesotans have accents? (Nov. 2021 Curious Minnesota article)

Did St. Paul really protect gangsters during the Prohibition era? Apr 07, 2022

Considered one of the most corrupt cities in America during Prohibition, St. Paul's historical relationship with gangsters was rooted in an agreement between the police department and the criminals of the city: As long as you commit your crimes somewhere else, you're welcome to hide out in St. Paul. Ash Miller and James Walsh talk about how this agreement affected the city, from its crime rates to its national reputation.

LINKS:

Did St. Paul really protect gangsters during the Prohibition era? (June 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

St. Paul's gangster tours

John Dillinger Slept Here book

Why did Minneapolis' flour boom go bust? Mar 24, 2022

Minneapolis' "Mill City" nickname traces its roots to a 50-year period when the city's flour milling dominated the world market. But that came to an end in 1930, when the city lost its crown to Buffalo, N.Y. Eric Roper and Hannah Sayle discuss how Minneapolis rose to prominence as a flour milling capital, and the many factors that led to the decline of flour milling on the riverfront.

LINKS:

Why did Minneapolis' famous flour boom go bust?

The stories behind Minnesota's oldest building and the Northwest Angle Mar 10, 2022

Last fall, Curious Minnesota listeners voted on their favorite questions submitted by people stopping by the Star Tribune's booth at the State Fair. There was a three-way tie for the top question. Those winning questions were: "What is the oldest building in Minnesota?" "How did the Northwest Angle come about?" and "How big does a body of water need to be to qualify as a lake?"

Reporter Katy Read wrote stories on two of those questions for the Curious Minnesota column. She joins the show to discuss the answers with host Eric Roper.

LINKS:

How did Minnesota get its shape on the map? (October 2021 article)

What is the oldest building in Minnesota? (December 2021 article)

The Jolly Green Giant has left Minnesota. So who is maintaining his iconic billboard? Feb 24, 2022

The Jolly Green Giant has moved on from Minnesota. His legacy, however, lives on in the form of an iconic Minnesota River Valley billboard. Reporter Brooks Johnson joins Ash Miller to talk about the history of the Green Giant brand and what the billboard means for those Minnesotans who drive by it every day.

LINKS:

The Jolly Green Giant has moved on from Minnesota. So who is maintaining his iconic billboard? (January 2022 Curious Minnesota story)

Jolly Green Giant commercial

Historic wildfires once destroyed part of Minnesota. Could it happen again? Feb 10, 2022

The wildfires of 1894 and 1918 remain two of the worst natural disasters in Minnesota history, more than a century after destroying entire towns in the northern portion of the state. These rapidly moving blazes claimed more than 900 victims. What caused them to spread so quickly? Could it happen again?

Hannah Sayle and Duluth reporter Jana Hollingsworth discuss the circumstances that led to these tragedies, and what lessons were learned to prevent them from repeating.

LINKS:

Historic wildfires once destroyed entire cities in northern Minnesota. Could it happen again?

Which Indigenous tribes first called Minnesota home? Jan 27, 2022

Indigenous people have been living in the area that became Minnesota since ancient times. Anton Treuer, professor of Objiwe at Bemidji State University, joins the podcast to discuss the Native Americans who inhabited the state prior to European settlement -- and their tribal affiliations.

LINKS:

Which Indigenous tribes first called Minnesota home?

Meet the Curious Minnesota superfan behind some of our best questions Jan 13, 2022

Star Tribune reader Sharon Carlson joins the podcast to discuss her questions that have been answered by Curious Minnesota. Eight of Carlson's questions, linked below, have appeared in the column.

How did St. Cloud get its name? It's a strange story

Are Minnesota's day-care costs really the highest in the nation?

Why does Minnesota have one of highest rates of volunteering in the country?

Why is Minnesota the only mainland state with an abundance of wolves?

What was the most destructive tornado in Minnesota history?

Why was the career of Minnesota's first congresswoman cut short?

Frozen for the future: Does Minnesota have any cryonics facilities?

What does it take to become a police officer in the state of Minnesota?

Additionally, here is an article about the police training video that Sharon mentioned during the conversation.

Was organized crime behind the demise of streetcars in the Twin Cities? Dec 03, 2021

Streetcars were a defining feature of what it meant to live in Minneapolis and St. Paul in the early 20th Century. The elimination of the streetcar system in the 1950s, in favor of buses, dramatically reshaped life in the Twin Cities. A number of unusual characters played a role in that switch -- several of whom went to prison.

Hannah Sayle and Eric Roper discuss organized crime's impact on Twin City Rapid Transit Company during this period.

LINKS:

Was organized crime behind the demise of the Twin Cities streetcar system? (Nov. 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Minnesota History magazine article about what occurred after the 1960 convictions

Why a slice of I-94 is a 'candyland for researchers' Oct 29, 2021

Minnesota is home to one of the most prominent roadway testing facilities in the nation, known as MnROAD. Researchers there study how different pavement types hold up amid real-world traffic on Interstate 94 and Minnesota's extreme weather.

Audience Producer Ash Miller joined the podcast to discuss how MnROAD is helping engineers around the country design better roads.

LINKS:

Why a slice of I-94 west of the Twin Cities is a 'candyland for researchers' (July 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Overview of the different types of roadway materials being studied at MnROAD (U.S. DOT)

Video of low-volume road truck driver (MnDOT)

The mysterious wall that holds St. Anthony Falls in place Oct 13, 2021

St. Anthony Falls has long been one of Minneapolis' top attractions. But the endurance of the falls is due to some complex infrastructure designed to halt erosion. A key component of that infrastructure is a hidden wall -- buried beneath the river -- that has protected the falls for roughly 145 years.

Little is known about the wall's condition, however. River historian John Anfinson believes there needs to be a comprehensive study of the structure's status. Anfinson is the former superintendent of the national park comprising the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities.

LINKS:

Graphic illustrating how the wall works

August 2021 article about the the wall

Vote for your favorite State Fair question

Why are there so many 5G cellular antennas in some Twin Cities neighborhoods? Sep 17, 2021

The next generation of cellular technology, known as 5G, will bring much faster speeds. But the rollout of 5G has been accompanied by a litany of new cellular antenna poles in some neighborhoods, particularly in Minneapolis.

Eric Roper and Ash Miller discussed the evolution of cellular technology and the reason for all the new antennas.

LINKS:

Why is there a new cellular pole in my Minneapolis neighborhood? (May 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Map of small cell carrier-owned pole locations in Minneapolis

What do State Fair attendees want to know about Minnesota? Sep 03, 2021

We asked fairgoers to tell us what they want to know about Minnesota during Curious Minnesota Day at the Star Tribune's State Fair building on August 28. Today's episode features recordings of many of the people who submitted questions. Click the link below to vote for your favorite!

Vote for your favorite question here (or by e-mailing Curious@StarTribune.com)

See photos and video of the event (Instagram post)

What is the future of COVID-19 and the delta variant? Aug 25, 2021

The arrival of vaccines earlier this year offered a glimmer of hope that the COVID-19 pandemic was nearing an end. But the emergence of the delta variant has dampened some of that optimism.

The Star Tribune solicited reader questions about this new phase of the pandemic. Pulitzer Prize-winning health reporters Glenn Howatt and Jeremy Olson discussed the answers in their third appearance on the podcast.

How did MSP Airport evolve from a bankrupt racetrack to an aviation hub? Jul 08, 2021

It has been roughly a century since planes began flying at what is now Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which has evolved from a bankrupt racetrack to an acclaimed travel hub. Transportation reporter Janet Moore joins the podcast to discuss the airport's long history.

LINKS:

From bankrupt racetrack to aviation hub — what remains from MSP Airport's early days? (May 2021 Curious Minnesota story)

Panoramic photo of the 1923 Wold-Chamberlain dedication ceremony.

A history of the Twin City Motor Speedway (from Winter 2007-2008 issue of Minnesota History magazine)

Why does Minnesota test tornado sirens on the first Wednesday of the month? Jun 02, 2021

The monthly Wednesday tornado siren test, a Minnesota tradition, traces its origins back to 1950s fears of a Soviet atomic bomb attack. Writer Dave Kenney, who has researched Civil Defense in Minnesota, discusses how Minnesotans responded to an evolving international threat during the Cold War.

LINKS:

Why does Minnesota test tornado sirens on the first Wednesday of the month? (April 2021 Curious Minnesota Article)

Civil Defense in Minnesota, 1950–1974 (written by Dave Kenney)

Was Minnesota home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War? May 06, 2021

Fears of a Soviet attack during the 1950s spurred the federal government to install four missile sites around the Twin Cities. The "Nike-Hercules" nuclear warheads stored in those bunkers stood ready to take down Soviet bombers headed for the Twin Cities. Curious Minnesota host Eric Roper discusses the topic with reporter Michelle Griffith, a former Star Tribune intern who now works at the Fargo Forum newspaper.

LINKS:

Was Minnesota home to nuclear missiles during the Cold War? (April 2020 Curious Minnesota story)

When nukes in a cornfield protected the Twin Cities from the Soviet Union

Former Nike Hercules missile in St. Bonifacius stands as a reminder of the Cold War

Does the Mississippi River really start at Lake Itasca? Apr 02, 2021

The source of the Mississippi was a consequential mystery after the Revolutionary War. It remains hotly debated in some circles today. Connie Cox, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State Park, discusses the history and science behind this issue with host Eric Roper.

LINKS:

Is Minnesota’s tiny Lake Itasca the true source of the Mississippi River?

Could the Mississippi River actually begin in South Dakota?

Minnesota History: Controversy at the Mississippi's headwaters

Why did Minneapolis tear down its biggest train station? Mar 05, 2021

The Great Northern Depot on Hennepin Avenue was a de facto welcome mat for Minneapolis for many years. Along with the Milwaukee Road Depot, it was the primary place people arrived in the city. So why was Great Northern torn down in 1978, while the Milwaukee Road Depot survived? Rail historian Aaron Isaacs joins host Eric Roper to discuss the history of the Depot and the decline of passenger rail travel in the 20th Century.

Story and photo gallery

How Ford made millions of windows from the sand beneath St. Paul Feb 12, 2021

For part of the 20th Century, Ford Motor Company relied heavily on sand beneath its plant in St. Paul to make windows for its cars. Host Eric Roper discusses that operation with reporter John Reinan.

LINKS:

John's Curious Minnesota story about the Ford Plant sand mining

A timeline of St. Paul's Ford Plant operations

Made in St. Paul: Stories from the Ford Plant (Twin Cities PBS / Producer: Peter Myers)

How do cities make Mississippi River water safe to drink? Jan 13, 2021

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul draw their drinking water from the Mississippi River. Curious Minnesota host Eric Roper paid a visit to Minneapolis’ water treatment campus in Fridley to understand the complex process that makes river water safe to drink.

LINKS:

Photo gallery

Article (published in October 2020)

Will Minnesota join push toward a national popular vote? Dec 03, 2020

A number of states have joined an effort that would effectively bypass the Electoral College in determining America's president. Those states have signed on to the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact, which would commit their electoral votes to whoever wins the national popular vote. Will Minnesota participate? Reporter Torey Van Oot joins host Eric Roper to discuss the proposal. Read her story here. The reader question was inspired by a discussion on the New York Times' "The Daily" podcast, which you can listen to here.

Why do so many Twin Cities malls end in ‘dale’? Nov 09, 2020

Malls ending in the suffix "Dale" are peppered across the Twin Cities. But why "Dale"? Reporter John Ewoldt joins us to discuss the history of the Dales, starting with the landmark mall that started it all — Southdale. Host Eric Roper and Ewoldt discuss how the vision of the Dayton Corporation reshaped retail in the region. Read John's story here.

Why hasn't Minnesota passed the Equal Rights Amendment? Sep 23, 2020

What's the latest we know about COVID-19's treatment, transmission? Sep 02, 2020

When you flush a toilet in the Twin Cities, where does everything go? Aug 08, 2020

Do the things we recycle all actually get recycled in Minnesota? Jul 16, 2020

How did Minnesota become one of the most racially inequitable states? Jun 30, 2020

In wake of George Floyd's death, what does 'reforming' Minneapolis Police mean? Jun 12, 2020

Why do so many Fortune 500 companies call Minnesota home? May 20, 2020

How did Minnesota become the Gopher State? May 06, 2020

Listener lightning round: 3 answers on history, geography, traditions of Minnesota Apr 24, 2020

Why is Uptown south of downtown in Minneapolis? Apr 08, 2020

What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic Mar 19, 2020

How to see the northern lights Mar 10, 2020

How did Minnesota settlers make it through the cold, dark winters? Feb 25, 2020

Where did the idea for Minneapolis' skyways come from? Feb 11, 2020

Why are Honeycrisp apples still so expensive? Jan 28, 2020

Why does the Stone Arch Bridge cross the river at such an odd angle? Jan 16, 2020

How did the Twin Cities become a hub for Somali immigrants? Jan 16, 2020

Where does 'Minnesota Nice' come from, and what does it even mean? Jan 16, 2020

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