Until I arrived in Minneapolis, it just did not dawn on me that the Mississippi River played such an important role there. The river IS the city; it would never have existed without that highway of water flowing south. Minneapolis began as two towns, Saint Anthony and Minneapolis, on opposite sides of the river. The two eventually merged into the "city by the river," the meaning of the word Minneapolis. Early in its history, it was a logging town. I learned on my trip that the logging industry did not last long due to the historical procedure of cutting without replanting. The small Nicollet Island was all but deserted with the end of the logging industry in 1921. (More on that beautiful island further down.) The passing of the logging industry was not too tragic, as the city had consequently become "Mill City" due to the number of flour mills which set up shop on the busy river banks. That industry has also passed on, but Minneapolis is still rich in flour mill history, a fact I learned a great deal about during my time there.
I went on a tour of the amazing Mill City Museum, and highly recommend it to anyone traveling to Minneapolis. The museum contains many historical accounts, interesting artifacts, hands-on exhibits, AND the awesome Flour Tower! The Flour Tower was my favorite. They have taken an old grain elevator and made it into a multi-media experience. Mill City Museum is a great museum for all ages.
The museum is actually built on the site of a burned and exploded flour mill. Some of the outer walls of the old mill are still standing and can be viewed up close on your visit to the museum.
Nicollet Island sits right in between downtown Minneapolis and the old town of Saint Anthony. It has an inn, a pavilion where concerts are held, a private high school, and a handful of houses. It is also the sight of the first bridge which crossed the mighty Mississippi. With the fall of the lumber industry, the industry magnates who had homes on the island moved away, leaving their homes to the elements and eventual take over by squatters and harvesters of illegal substances. The land was obtained by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board, and in 1983 the process of restoration began. The park board offered 99 year leases to those interested in moving historic houses onto the island; most of the original homes on the island having deteriorated too badly to save. I learned this amazing history while on a segway tour which included Nicollet Island. I found the story almost unbelievable, especially after seeing the homes!
I took two organized tours on this trip and thoroughly enjoyed both of them. I went on a kayak group tour from just below Saint Anthony Falls downriver to Minnehaha Park. I also took a segway tour which began in Old Saint Anthony and circled across the Stone Arch Bridge, along the river, back across the river, around Nicollet Island, and back to where we began. The guides on both tours were knowledgable and friendly. I highly recommend both of these tour groups. (information below) Both tours centered on the Mississippi River, Saint Anthony Falls, and the bridges. These are what have given life to Minneapolis from its earliest beginnings.
A view of Saint Anthony Falls with the Third Avenue Bridge in the background.
First time on a segway. It was SO much fun!!
Kayaking up to the falls. Stone Arch Bridge is in the background. (Interesting story about this bridge in an upcoming post.)
** Tour Notes:
Kayak Tour -- Above the Falls Sports -- Make reservation ahead of time -- Above the Falls Sports
There are a couple of tour choices. I chose the Minnehaha Falls tour. It lasted about four hours. It was not difficult kayaking at all. Some of the highlights were going into a type of water cave, going through two locks, and seeing Minnehaha Falls at the end. The cost was $95 plus tax and tip.
Segway Tour -- Magical History Tour -- Make reservation ahead of time -- Magical History Tour
Several choices for time of day. Perk was a free ticket to Mill City Museum; I actually picked up my ticket a couple of days early. Some of the tour highlights were riding a segway (duh!), Nicollet Island, and a snack at Mill City Museum. The cost was $90 plus tax and tip.
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