The city of Minneapolis was officially recognized in 1856 as a town within the territory of Minnesota. After Minnesota became a state in 1858, the city of Minneapolis grew and eventually merged with the town of Saint Anthony in 1872, making our city’s perimeter what it is known as today. With the popularity and accessibility of the camera in the mid to late 1800s, photographers were able to capture some of the most incredible photos of Minneapolis as it was being built. Between the mid-1800s and early 1900s the first photos of Minneapolis were shot and archived to share with the rest of the world and they’re absolutely stunning.

Oswald's Corner, 1864.
Facebook/Hennepin County Library
This is the intersection of Hennepin Ave and 5th St. in downtown.
Here's a view of Minneapolis circa 1886.
Library of Congress/A. Hageboeck
A horse-drawn streetcar stopped on 6th St. and 8th Ave. This photo was captured around 1885.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
This shot shows the newly built Hennepin Avenue Bridge, as well as a second suspension bridge, as was taken around 1891.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
Minneapolis men looking sharp! Photo circa 1900.
Old Minneapolis/Minnesota Historical Society
Here's a photo of the Minneapolis Newsboy's Parade along Nicollet and Washington Ave. S in 1900.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
The Nicollet Hotel in 1905.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis

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Here are the opening gates for the channel between Lake of the Isles and Lake Calhoun snapped July 5, 1911.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
This photo shows the University of Minnesota's School of Mines, circa 1900.
Library of Congress/Detroit Publishing Co.
This photo shows the construction of 3rd Avenue Bridge in November, 1914.
Flickr/City of Minneapolis Archives
Another view of the 3rd Avenue Bridge, circa 1914.
Flickr/City of Minneapolis Archives
Here we see the construction of the spire at Hennepin Avenue United Methodist Church in 1916.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
Some things never change! These two Minneapolis men and enjoying a nice, cold Grainbelt in 1919.
Facebook/Old Minneapolis
The Webber Baths, located in Camden Park in North Minneapolis, was quite a popular spot in the 1920s!
Facebook/Old Minneapolis

With the help of the Minnesota Historical Society, The Library of Congress, and the Old Minneapolis Facebook Page, these historical photos are something everyone should see!

Minneapolis sure has transformed completely in the past 160 years. Do you have access to any historic photos of Minneapolis? We’d love to see them! Share them with us in the comments below!

If you love learning about the exciting and vibrant history of Minneapolis, read This Is What Minneapolis Looked Like 100 Years Ago And It May Surprise You.

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