What do you think Minnesota may have looked like 100 years ago? It’s amazing to look back at the history of Minnesota and see how much has changed, and in some cases what has stood the test of time. Looking back nearly a century ago, it’s interesting to see the same places we know and love today in a new (or rather, old) light. From spectacular buildings to the old mining areas, here’s a unique glimpse into the past of the land of 10,000 lakes.

1. October 13, 1919 - Minneapolis.
Public Domain/Library of Congress
A parade of soldiers returning from World War I through downtown.
2. 1919 - Minneapolis.
Flickr/ Eco84
314 ½ Nicollet Avenue - yes that's right, 1/2. The beginnings of Nicollet Mall.
3. 1903 - Mesabi Range.
Johnston (Frances Benjamin) collection at the Library of Congress
Locomotive on the Mesabi Range. The range spans 110 miles and is known for its iron ore mining operations.
4. 1903 - Mesabi Range.
Johnston (Frances Benjamin) collection at the Library of Congress
Miners working the Mesabi range. This is the largest iron ore deposit in the US.
5. 1902 - Minneapolis.
Minnesota Historical Society Public Domain
North High School before a fire burned it down.
6. 1915 - Minneapolis.
Charles J. Hibbard/Minnesota Historical Society
And North High School after the fire.
7. 1906 - Hibbing.
United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs
More mining in the range!
8. 1910 - Starbuck.
Pope County Historical Society/Public Domain
The Minnewaska Hospital. Would you want to get treated here?
9. 1915 - Minneapolis.
Flickr/ Eco84
Hennepin Avenue at 6th Street definitely looks different.
10. 1906 - St. Paul.
Public Domain/MNHS
Here's a streetcar at the Como Park entrance.
11. 1906 - St. Paul.
Public Domain/MNHS
And another shot of the station at Como Park. It's incredible how much has changed there.
12. 1900 - Minneapolis.
Public Domain/Minnesota Historical Society
Minneapolis City Hall circa 1900.
13. 1918 - Minneapolis.
United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs
This is Northwestern Consolidated Milling Company Elevator A, now known as the Ceresota Building. There have definitely been some improvements in the past century!
14. 1916 - St. Paul.
Harris & Ewing, Washington, D.C. /Library of Congress
This shot is of Elsie Hill speaking in St. Paul during a Prohibition Party convention that endorsed a plank advocating a suffrage amendment.
15. 1919 - Lyle.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
Looking south on Main Street in Lyle. This was sent as a postcard in 1919.
16. 1908 - Duluth.
Wikimedia/Detroit Publishing Co.
Aerial Bridge, Duluth in 1908. Before the upgrades here's what the aerial bridge looked like. It was the first of its kind in the US!
17. 1908 - Minneapolis.
Detroit Publishing Company Photograph Collection via Library of Congress
Here's the Minneapolis Post Office in 1908.
18. October 5, 1918 - Minneapolis.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
Chicago Tribune war correspondent Floyd Gibbons welcomed home in Minneapolis, MN. His sister Zelda is at his left.
19. 1919 - Minneapolis.
Photgraph by C.J. Hibbard via Library of Congress
Annette Kellerman, famous swimmer, actress, and writer exiting "Yellow Cab" taxi-cab.
20. 1919 - Minneapolis.
C.J. Hibbard via Library of Congress
Annette Kellerman trying on a ring in Max A. Kohen Jewelry.

Is this what you thought Minnesota would look like 100 years ago? How did you picture it?

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