Scotland Railroad
Minneapolis’ rich history by Adam Singleton
Minnesota’s largest city, Minneapolis lies on the Mississippi and is next to the State capitol of St-Paul. The combined cities are often referred to as Minneapolis-St. Paul forming the 15th largest metropolitan area in the US. The city of Minneapolis has a long and distinguished history, based on water and primarily influenced by the St. Anthony Falls.
Prior to the arrival of early European settlers in 1680, Dakota Sioux had free reign over the lands now known as Minneapolis. However for 140 years there was little development in the area, it was not until the construction of Fort Snelling in 1825 that the area saw any significant expansion. Under pressure from the relentless inflow of settlers, the Sioux sold their land forging the way for the incorporation of the city of Minneapolis in 1867. Five years later settlers began arriving from Chicago via the newly built railroad, helping to bolster the settlement’s numbers.
The Saint Anthony Falls, the only natural waterfall on the Mississippi, formed the hub of the city. Here the timber mills and flour mills flourished and by 1871, Minnesota boasted many thriving businesses including iron works, other mills for cotton and paper, and a large railway factory. Grain grown by farmers on the Great Plains found its way to the city’s many mills by rail, and by 1905 the Minneapolis was responsible for almost 10% of the total flour and grist output of the United States.
Never a city to sit on its laurels, Minneapolis razed 40% of its buildings comprising 25 blocks during a fervent urban renewal from the early 1950s to the mid 1960s. That renewal has continued and the city is now a modern metropolis with a rich history, and is home to five Fortune 500 companies.
Known as the ‘city of lakes’ many of the leisure activities in the area are water-based, with 6% of the area covered in lakes. It boasts a thriving art and music culture, and one of the city’s claims-to-fame is that internationally renowned rock musician Prince studied at the Minneapolis Dance Theatre. Professional sports are also well represented in the city with the NFL’s Vikings, baseball’s major league Twins, NBA’s Timberwolves and the WNBA’s Lynx all based there.
Getting around downtown Minneapolis is made easier by the Skyways, which consist of seven miles of walkways linking eighty blocks. Restaurants, retailers and the occasional lobby of a downtown hotel in Minneapolis are all connected via this second floor walkway.
Adam Singleton is an online freelance journalist from Scotland. His hobbies include travelling and hiking.
Article Source: http://www.earticlesonline.com/Article/Minneapolis–rich-history/224610
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Photographic Prints of Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland from Arcaid Images £10.00 10×8 Print, Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Completed 1890. Architect Benjamin Baker and John Fowler. Chosen by Arcaid Images. Printed on 254x203mm Fuji Crystal Archive paper for stable image permanence and brilliant colour reproduction with smooth tones, enhanced sharpness, and excellent definition. Size refers to paper used. This item is shipped from our UK lab…. |
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Framed Prints of Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland from Arcaid Images £50.00 Framed 20×16 Print, Black Grain Bevel with White Mount. , Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Completed 1890. Architect Benjamin Baker and John Fowler. Chosen by Arcaid Images. 51x41cm print in 61x51cm frame with mount individually cut to size. Wood Grain effect Artcore molding. Mount board card with high quality facing papers, core board and backing paper. Hardboard ba… |
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Canvas Prints of Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland from Arcaid Images £50.00 20 Canvas Print, White Sides. , Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Forth Railway Bridge, Scotland. Completed 1890. Architect Benjamin Baker and John Fowler. Chosen by Arcaid Images. Ready to hang, 51cm along the longest edge (other side scaled to fit). High quality 300gsm canvas with Fujifilm water based pigment ink. Hand stretched and stapled to 30mm wood frame, bevelled to increase tightness. Back … |
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