Saturday, June 1, 2013

On this date in Minnesota History: June 1


June 1, 1838 - On or around this date, Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant, completed building a small shack on a tract of land at the entrance of what was known as Fountain Cave on the west bank of the Mississippi River, just upstream from what is now Downtown Saint Paul. This shack, “according to a historical publication by Albert A. Jones, dated 1892, became the first habitation, and the first business house of Saint Paul.”

Parrant is “recognized as being the first person of European descent to live within the borders of what would eventually become” the capital city of Minnesota. Called Pig’s Eye because he was blind in one eye, Parrant gained a somewhat dubious reputation with law enforcement, most likely due to his dabbling as a part-time bootlegger.”

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pierre_Parrant





Fountain Cave, site of the first saloon in St. Paul, Minn., operated by Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fountain_cave--near_St._Paul,_by_Whitney_%26_Zimmerman.jpg




Friday, May 31, 2013

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 31

May 31, 2006 – “The Lynx exploded for a WNBA record 114 points in a 114-71 win over Los Angeles. The margin of victory was the second biggest in league history.”

http://www.wnba.com/lynx/history/history_index.html





http://jaydeanhcr.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/can-you-hear-the-thunder/

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 30


May 30, 1975 – Vasa, a small rural Swedish agricultural community founded in Goodhue County in the 1850s under the leadership of Rev. Eric Norelius, with 1869 church as a focal point, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on this date.

http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=75000983



Vasa Church

http://nrhp.mnhs.org/NRDetails.cfm?NPSNum=75000983




Marker Text:

Vasa: Mattson’s Settlement
Founded in 1853 and called “Mattson’s Settlement” after its first resident, Hans Mattson, the community was renamed Vasa in 1856 in honor of Swedish King Gustav Vasa. Once called “the most Swedish colony in America.” The town prospered as an agricultural community until its two general stores, creamery, and post office were closed in the 1950’s. It has continued to serve as a religious center, and its ethnic heritage has been carefully preserved.

Two men played major roles in Vasa’s development. Mattson was one of the earliest promoters of Swedish immigration to the United States. He organized and led a company of Swedish volunteers in the Civil War and later became Minnesota’s first commissioner of immigration in 1867 and its secretary of state in 1869. He later served as U.S. Consul General to India and in 1888 was named national chairman of the celebration marking the 250th anniversary of Swedish settlement in America.

Reverend Eric Norelius, who settled in Vasa in 1855, established about a dozen Lutheran congregations in southeastern Minnesota. A major force in establishing the Minnesota Conference of the Lutheran Church – the Augustana Synod – he also started the state’s first Swedish newspaper and one of its first colleges. Gustavus Adolphus, now located in St. Peter. Minnesota first private children’s home and the first private high school were both established in Vasa by Pastor Norelius, who was later knighted for his efforts by Sweden’s King Oscar.

Vasa was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 (sic). It stands today as a tribute to America’s Swedish immigrants.

http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1WDE_Vasa_Mattsons_Settlement




On This Date in Minnesota History: May 29

May 29, 1869 – “Asa Louis and Henry Leopold advertise their mercantile house, Duluth's first, in the Duluth Minnesotian [on this date], ‘Leopolds Shanty Store…fully assorted goods.’ From Germany, they were the first Jewish residents of Duluth.”

http://www.thehistorypeople.com/data/docs/timeline-part1.pdf

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 28

May 28, 1987 – The Minnesota Legislature approves an anti-robo call statute (325E.27), which says:
     A caller shall not use or connect to a telephone line an automatic dialing-announcing device unless:  (1) the subscriber has knowingly or voluntarily requested, consented to, permitted, or authorized receipt of the message; or (2) the message is immediately preceded by a live operator who obtains the subscriber's consent before the message is delivered.
     This section and section 5 do not apply to (1) messages from school districts to students, parents or employees, (2) messages to subscribers with whom the caller has a current business or personal relationship, or (3) messages advising employees of work schedules.
     To complain against illegal robo calls in Minnesota, go to: http://www.stoppoliticalcalls.org/ht/d/DoSurvey/i/26939

https://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/laws/?doctype=Chapter&year=1987&type=0&id=294

Monday, May 27, 2013

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 27

May 27, 1911 – Minnesota Senator and U.S. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey was born on this date in Wallace, S.D.

http://www.history.com/topics/hubert-h-humphrey




Minnesota Senator and U.S. Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:H_Humphrey.jpg

Sunday, May 26, 2013

On This Date in Minnesota History: May 26

May 26, 1849 – Alexander Ramsey, the newly appointed governor of Minnesota, steps ashore at Stillwater. Before making his way to St. Paul, he tours the county, speaking with local businessmen and community leaders. He meets and promotes John McKusick to marshal of Minnesota Territory.”

http://projects.wchsmn.org/reference/events/alexander-ramsey-arrives-stillwater/



Minn. Gov. Alexander Ramsey
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Alexander_Ramsey,_Brady-Handy_bw_photo_portrait,_ca1865-1880.jpg