This Day in Minnesota History

March 18, 1891

Margaret Culkin (Banning) is born in Buffalo. She lived in Duluth for many years, authoring more than thirty books, including Mesabi and Country Club People.

This Day in Minnesota History

March 18, 1858

Otter Tail, Becker, and Breckenridge Counties are formed. The first is named for the lake and river and is an English translation of the original Ojibwe name, probably for an otter-tail-shaped sandbar in the lake. Becker County honors George L. Becker, one of three representatives the new state of Minnesota had planned to send to Congress. When it was discovered that the state was permitted only two representatives, lots were drawn and Becker lost. Breckenridge County honors Vice President John C.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 22, 1858

The Reverend Edward D. Neill officiates at the dedication of the first House of Hope Presbyterian Church building, a chapel that stood on Walnut Street between Oak and Pleasant Streets in St. Paul. The congregation moved in 1869 to a church at Fifth and Exchange Streets, and then in 1914 to Summit Avenue.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 21, 1998

Television's original Betty Crocker, Adelaide Hawley Cumming, dies in Seattle. Cumming starred in the Betty Crocker Show beginning in 1949 and remained General Mills' advertising icon until 1964, after which she taught English as a second language in Seattle.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 21, 1885

The Nushka Toboggan Club is formed. To promote the St. Paul Winter Carnival, the club sponsors toboggan slides on Crocus Hill, snowshoe hikes to Merriam Park, and parties on Washington's birthday. Nushka means "look!" in Anishinaabemowin, the Ojibwe language.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 20, 1902

Clearwater County is established, named for Clearwater Lake and River.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 20, 1863

The American House burns in St. Paul. A landmark in early photographs and paintings of the area, the hotel stood at Third and Exchange Streets.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 14, 1798

Alexis Bailly is born in St. Joseph, Canada. He preceded Henry H. Sibley as an agent for the American Fur Company in Mendota, one of the most influential forces in the fur trade in Minnesota. Bailly was also one of the first settler-colonists to grow wheat in Minnesota and a member of the territorial legislature. He died in 1861.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 13, 1994

Demolition begins on Metropolitan Sports Center in Bloomington, the former home of the North Stars professional hockey team and a venue for entertainment events. The first bombing attempt, with a detonator button pressed by Michael Franson, is largely unsuccessful, with much of the building still standing ten minutes after the scheduled implosion. Eventually, the structure is brought down with bulldozers and other heavy equipment.

This Day in Minnesota History

December 11, 1876

Ada Louise Comstock is born in Moorhead. She became the first dean of women at the University of Minnesota and then, beginning in 1912, served as dean of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. Although she in effect ran the school from 1917 to 1918, she was not given the title of "acting president" because she was a woman. She became the first president of the American Association of University Women in 1921 and served as president of Radcliffe College from 1923 to 1943.

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