Minnesota History Shop

01/16/2024

Great Local Twin Cities History!

Closing Time: Saloons, Taverns, Dives, and Watering Holes of the Twin Cities

In 1838, a rum trader named "Pig’s Eye" Parrant built a small shack in a Mississippi bluff that became the first business in the city of St. Paul: a saloon. Since then, bars, taverns, saloons, and speakeasies have been part of the cultural, social, and physical landscape of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Serving as neighborhood landmarks, sites of political engagement, welcoming centers for immigrants, hotbeds of criminal activity, targets of ire from church and state alike, and, of course, a place to get a drink, the story of the taverns and saloons of the Twin Cities is the story of the cities themselves.

In Closing Time, Bill Lindeke and Andy Sturdevant dive into tales from famous and infamous drinking establishments from throughout Twin Cities history. Readers are led on a multigenerational pub crawl through speakeasies, tied houses, rathskellers, cocktail lounges, gin mills, fern bars, social clubs, singles bars, gastropubs, and dives.

Featuring beloved bars like Matt's, Palmer's, the Payne Reliever, and Moby Dick's, the book also resurrects memories of long-forgotten establishments cherished in their day. Lindeke and Sturdevant highlight neighborhood dives, downtown nightspots, and out-of-the-way hideaways, many of which continue to thrive today. Closing Time brings together stories of these spaces and the people who frequented them.

Contributor(s): Lindeke, Bill (Author), Sturdevant, Andy (Author)
ISBN: 1681341379 EAN: 9781681341378
Publisher: Minnesota Historical Society Press
Pages: 240
Binding: Hardcover
Pub Date: October 15, 2019

In 1838, a rum trader named "Pig’s Eye" Parrant built a small shack in a Mississippi bluff that became the first business in the city of St. Paul: a saloon. Since then, bars, taverns, saloons, and speakeasies have been part of the cultural, social, and physical landscape of St. Paul and Minneapoli...

01/09/2024

New from The Minnesota Historical Society Press

Following My Spirit Home: A Collection of Paintings and Stories

A trip to Alaska and an epiphany at Mendenhall Glacier led artist Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik to return home to family and his Ojibwe culture, a journey captured in paintings and stories. When Sam Zimmerman decided to rededicate his energy to painting in the late 2010s, he found himself drawn to the stories of his family and Ojibwe community. He wanted to capture these stories in images as well as words, and he began working with an Ojibwe language speaker to translate and preserve the stories in their native language as well. The paintings and stories he accumulated and developed between July 2019 and July 2020 are drawn from family lore and shared experiences centered in Ojibwe tradition and the natural beauty of northern Minnesota.

Zimmerman’s work explores his Ojibwe heritage by preserving oral histories handed down from elders while also reflecting the artist’s personal experiences in the natural landscapes of Lake Superior’s North Shore, where he and generations of his ancestors have lived. He preserves the Ojibwe storytelling tradition, reimagining the symbolism of the clan animals in natural North Shore landscapes.

Following My Spirit Home features more than eighty vibrant and colorful images accompanied by stories, mostly based on tales Zimmerman’s grandfather told him or from his own experiences in nature along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The stories are presented in both English and Ojibwemowin with the goal of advancing language revitalization.

About the Author

Artist and educator Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik is a direct descendant of the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe). He began participating in juried and solo exhibitions immediately after receiving a bachelor of fine arts degree in studio art from the Rochester Institute of Technology in 2000. At first, painting was a part-time activity while he worked as a special education and school and district administrator. When he returned home to Minnesota after almost two decades on the East Coast, he rededicated himself to painting with a ferocity that had been absent since his earlier studio days. Today Zimmerman’s work is held in private collections in the United States and abroad. His studio projects and current creations can be seen on Instagram and Facebook at CraneSuperior. He lives in Duluth, Minnesota, and can be often found exploring the natural beauty of Minnesota’s North Shore.

Buy at the Minnesota History Shop:
https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/following-my-spirit-home-a-collection-of-paintings-and-stories

04/20/2022

We're celebrating the warm weather with a

15% DISCOUNT SALE!

Just enter the code APRIL15 in the promo code box at checkout. Offer expires April 30th, 2022

03/31/2022

It's time to start planning those summer getaways! A few suggestions:

--- Backroads of Minnesota: Your Guide to Scenic Getaways & Adventures

This updated 2nd edition of the popular Backroads of Minnesota comes in a new portable size, making it easy to tote in your car and head out to a new destination in beautiful Minnesota. Have you driven on the Gunflint and Arrowhead trails? Have you circled the whole of Mille Lacs? Have you gone birding on the western prairies, or wound around the bluffs of the Mississippi River from Red Wing to the Iowa border? Have you experienced the forgotten corners of the Twin Cities metro area? Backroads of Minnesota takes you on 31 routes covering all corners of the Land of 10,000 Lakes: routes that lead you to the state's most scenic natural areas and sites that capture the state's colorful history. Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend getaway, Backroads of Minnesota will lead you deep into the soul of the state, beyond the common tourist attractions.

https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/backroads-of-minnesota-your-guide-to-scenic-getaways-adventures

--- The Best of Itasca: A Guide to Minnesota's Oldest State Park

Your Comprehensive Guide to the Beloved State Park
Enjoy everything Itasca State Park has to offer. Whether you’re visiting for a day, staying for a week or simply want a keepsake of Minnesota’s most popular park, you’ll find everything you need in the pages of this book by Deane Johnson.

Features:

Detailed guide to hiking, biking, camping, lodging and skiing
Fascinating stories from Itasca’s colorful past
Tips on finding the park’s hidden gems throughout the seasons
Natural history of the land, dating back to prehistory
Nearby attractions, such as the La Salle Lake State Recreation Area
Includes a comprehensive hiking guide!

Improve your life; connect with nature at Itasca State Park.

https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/the-best-of-itasca-a-guide-to-minnesotas-oldest-state-park

--- Minnesota Adventure Weekends: Your Guide to the Best Outdoor Getaways

Plan a weekend of hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling!

Whether you’re a novice or an experienced adventurer, you’ll find a variety of outdoor pursuits to enjoy in Minnesota―from camping along the North Shore to canoeing in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to biking near the Root River. There’s no need to spend hours researching the best destinations or go on long, expensive trips. This book is for hikers who love to climb, paddlers who love to pedal, and anyone else whose idea of unwinding is an action-packed weekend in the great outdoors. With a dozen exciting trips to choose from, you’ll know where to stay and which adventures are truly weekend-worthy.

The full-color guide features trip descriptions to the best destinations for weekend adventure, including opportunities for hiking, cycling, climbing, and paddling. Tips on lodging options, restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops further aid in the planning. Whether your next outing is for individuals, couples, families, or large groups, get maximum adventure out of your weekend with Minnesota Adventure Weekends!

https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/minnesota-adventure-weekends-your-guide-to-the-best-outdoor-getaways

--- Rail-Trails Minnesota: The definitive guide to the state's best multiuse trails

Explore the best rail-trails―48 trails and 1,155 miles―with the official guide
Looking for a level trail where you can enjoy a brisk fitness walk, bike ride, or stroll with the family? All across the country, unused railroad corridors have been converted to public multiuse trails. Here, the experts from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy present the best of these rail-trails in Minnesota.

Experience first-hand how Minnesota earned the nickname the Land of 10,000 Lakes by taking a trip on the 121-mile Paul Bunyan State Trail, one of the longest rail-trails in the United States. The connecting trails of Central Lakes State Trail and Lake Wobegon Trail offer additional views of the lakes. In the southwest, Casey Jones State Trail runs through tallgrass prairie and wooded ravines. For more of an urban adventure, try the 34.5-mile Greenway of Greater Grand Forks in the northwest, which connects Grand Forks, North Dakota, and East Grand Forks, Minnesota.

https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/rail-trails-minnesota-the-definitive-guide-to-the-states-best-multiuse-trails

02/25/2022

Resisting Removal: The Sandy Lake Tragedy of 1850

The account of a nearly-forgotten tragedy of American history, Resisting Removal brings to life a story of political intrigue and bitter betrayal in this moving depiction of a people's desperate struggle to adapt to a changing, hostile world. Captivating and engaging for all the right reasons; talented historical storytelling at its finest.

In February 1850, the United States government ordered the removal of all Lake Superior bands of Ojibwe living upon ceded lands in Wisconsin. The La Pointe Ojibwe, led by their chief elder Kechewaishke, objected, citing promises made just eight years earlier that they would not be removed during their lifetimes. But, Minnesota Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey and Indian Agent John Watrous had a devious plan to force their removal to Sandy Lake, Minnesota. Put into action, the negligence and ill-intents of Ramsey and Watrous resulted in the death of approximately four hundred Ojibwe people in an event that has become known as the Sandy Lake Tragedy.

Despite the tragedy, government officials, aided by the interests of traders and businessmen, continued their efforts to remove the La Pointe Ojibwe from their ancient homeland on Madeline Island. But the Ojibwe resisted removal time and again. Relying on their traditional lifeways and the assistance of missionaries and local residents, the Ojibwe survived numerous hardships throughout the removal efforts. By 1852, without government approval, the La Pointe Ojibwe traveled to Washington, D.C. to finally right the wrongs against them and to protect their homes. Two years later they earned permanent homes near their homelands after signing the 1854 Treaty of La Pointe.

Follow along as trader and interpreter Benjamin Armstrong, a real historical participant, lives through the harrowing and ever-changing times on the Wisconsin and Minnesota frontiers. Discover the truth about this tragic past and the intentional exploitation of the Ojibwe people and culture. But also, come to understand the complexity of history and question whose story is really being told.

https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/resisting-removal-the-sandy-lake-tragedy-of-1850

02/06/2022

What could be more Minnesotan than a loon rising out of one of our 10,000 lakes? You betcha, nothing could be! This great design is available on sweatshirts, mugs, beer steins, wall clocks, and t-shirts. Tees and sweatshirts are available in multiple colors and available in sizes S - 5XL. These are also great as gifts for any Minnesotan or expat - pick a few up today!

01/31/2022

On a cold day like today we need a reminder of warmer days ahead. This 1930s image of people swimming and sunning themselves does just that. The original photo was taken at Shoreham Resort's beach on Lake Sallie.

Built in 1910, the majestic Shoreham Resort stands tall to this day and is open from April through September. It is located about ten miles north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota.

You can buy a print of this image in sizes from 4 inch by 6 inch all the way up to 13 inch by 19 inch on our website at

Vintage view of the beach on Lake Sallie at the Shoreham Resort, located about 10 miles north of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, from the 1930s. Detroit Lakes is a city in the State of Minnesota and the county seat of Becker County. The population was 9,869 at the 2020 census. Image courtesy of Lakesnwood...

01/16/2022

Are you in to railroads and train depots? The Minnesota History Shop has you covered with prints and postcard reproductions of many Minnesota depots.

The Minnesota History Shop is a Minnesota-owned and operated small business. Visit us at https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/

12/15/2021

Lonely-looking image of the defunct Miners & Merchants State Bank in Tower, Minnesota, which opened in 1915 and closed just a few years later. This photo was taken in 1937 by Russell Lee of the Farm Security Administration.

See/buy this image as a print or as a framed print at https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/search?q=tower

Offered by The Minnesota History Shop, a Minnesota-owned and operated small business. Shop Local!

12/14/2021

If you are a true Minnesotan, the time to fish is all of the time, and this clever clock will remind you of that! Nice for home, office, or the cabin, and makes a very "timely" gift for that angler in your life! (Yes, I'm "fishing" for a compliment with that pun).

See/buy at https://www.minnesotahistoryshop.com/products/its-time-to-fish-wall-clock - this design is also available on t-shirts and coffee mugs.

If you are a true Minnesotan, the time to fish is all of the time, and this clever clock will remind you of that! Nice for home, office, or the cabin, and makes a great gift for that angler in your life!Every second counts! An exciting and practical accent in any room, this unique high-quality Wall....

12/14/2021

Cooperage Plant at Blackduck, Minnesota, 1910s. A cooperage plant makes barrels, by the way, taking advantage of the seemingly endless supply of wood in the area.

Offered by The Minnesota History Shop, a Minnesota-owned and operated small business. Buy Local!

Print is available in sizes ranging from 4 inch by 6 inch to 13 inch by 19 inch and is also available on postcards.

See more or buy at

Cooperage Plant at Blackduck, Minnesota, 1910s. A cooperage plant makes barrels, by the way, taking advantage of the seemingly endless supply of wood in the area. Postcard image from LakesnWoods.com. Printed on semi-glossy paper.