History of Minneapolis:
Dating back to roughly 10,000 B.C.E., the earliest inhabitants of what is now called Minneapolis were Paleo-Indians, which preceded the Sioux and Ojibwa people that would later call the area home.
The area was then explored by French fur traders in the late 1600s. Later, the area’s Native American inhabitants would sell the land to Europeans in a series of treaties.
In the early 1800s, the U.S. took ownership of the land as part of the Louisiana Purchase. The U.S. then sent a series of military expeditions into the area to establish a fort for further expansion into its new western territory.
This would lead to the establishment of Fort Snelling near Saint Anthony Falls, the Mississippi’s largest waterfalls. The fort served as the primary center for U.S. forces during the Dakota Uprising, and would later serve as a recruiting station for the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and both World Wars.
The falls near Fort Snelling were an important factor in Minneapolis’ early economic growth. The waterpower provided by the falls led to the area becoming a lumber and flour-milling center.
By 1870 (right at the start of the country’s Gilded Age), Minneapolis was the country’s top producer of flour; the Minneapolis Grain Exchange would be formed 11 years alter. During this time, Minneapolis became a world-leading center of flour-production, and earned the name “Mill City.” Its lumber industry also reached its peak in the late 19th century.
The city’s lumber and flour milling industries consequently led to railroads being built, which consequently led to an increased demand in workers and land buyers. It was during this time that hundreds of thousands of Swedish immigrants flocked to the Minnesota area, as they were, at that time, deemed perfect for both capacities.
The flour milling industry soon replaced lumbering as the leading industry as wheat growing in the northwest increased (the last lumbermill in the area closed in 1919).
Though eventually much of the export flour trade shifted to Buffalo, New York due to the railroads, Minneapolis remained the headquarters for some large milling companies.
In 1930, Buffalo, New York eventually replaced Minneapolis as the nation’s flour-milling capital, and the Minneapolis’ flour mills, just like its lumber mills, fell into disuse (the remnants of which can still be seen today at Minneapolis’ Mill Ruins Park).
That said, the economic boom that Minneapolis enjoyed during its time as a flour-milling capital would leave an indelible mark on the city. By the end of the century, Minneapolis became a major hub of finance and culture for the upper Midwest; and has remained to be such to this day.
From the late 19th to the mid-20th century, Minneapolis experienced a steady increase of its population, reaching a peak of over 500,000 in 1950. This led to a more diverse Minneapolis. Today, although the majority of its residents are of Scandinavian descent, the city enjoys a significant population of African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians.
Minneapolis in the 21st century is a commercial, transportation, distribution, health care, financial and industrial center. The city’s current major industries include machinery manufacturing, fabricated metal product manufacturing, retail, and plastics and rubber manufacturing.
Additionally, the city is defined by its world-class park system, its vibrant arts and music scene (the city has a legendary Blues, Jazz, R&B, and Rock culture), and its growing culinary scene.
The city also has a vibrant sports culture, as a number of Minnesota’s professional sports teams are based in Minneapolis.
Moreover, Minneapolis is also known for its Skyway system, which is composed of a number of climate-controlled pedestrian walkways that connect a network of buildings in its downtown area.
