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Saint Paul

Minneapolis

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Minnesota In General

Did You Know?
  1. Winter Carnival is the oldest winter celebration in North America?
  2. That the 1991 Winter Carnival Ice Palace was the largest known ice structure in history?
  3. That Winter Carnival staged a parade through Saint Paul's skyways and is now known in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest indoor parade?
  4. Schools don't close until temperature or windchill reach -50 degrees (F)?
  5. The Minnesota World Trade Center was the first American inland world trade center?
  6. That Duluth is the world's largest freshwater port? And now they got the largest freshwater aquarium in the world too!
  7. That Minnesota passes out the second highest rate of fishing licenses in the country, only behind California?
  8. That Entertainment Tonight listed Minneapolis as the capital for Jesse Ventura's inauguration?
  9. The current Minnesota Capitol Building is our third?
  10. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra was the first full time orchestra in the world?
  11. People claim the Minneapolis City Hall is haunted?
  12. That Saint Paul was a major hangout for gangs in the 30's? Illegal alcohol dealers operated out of the Wabasha St. caves, now a tourist attraction.
  13. At one time, Minneapolis was the world's top producer of flour? They also controlled the rise of Buffalo, NY, which took the title from Minneapolis.
  14. That about 7% of Minneapolis residents live downtown?
  15. The Twins attract the most annual fans and the Vikings attract the least?
  16. Minneapolis averages 8,000 traffic accidents a year?
  17. In Minnesota, 93.4% of all trips are made by automobile?
  18. There are 5,027 hotel rooms in Minneapolis (1997)?
  19. Saint Paul has traffic lights for 342 intersections with 14,234 lightbulbs?
  20. Saint Paul has 1,147 miles of sewers?
  21. Saint Paul has 290 bridges, while Minneapolis has 569?
  22. The transit system has about 860 buses in its fleet?
  23. Minneapolis has more coffee and convenience stores per capita downtown then any other type of retail store?
  24. The Minneapolis/Saint Paul International Airport was the 10th busiest (among U.S. airports) in 1999?
  25. The metro area was ranked 13th most congested in the mid 1990's?
  26. Minneapolis uses 65,000,000 gallons of water a day on average?
  27. The transit system averages over 62,000,000 rides a year?
  28. 58 feature films have been shot in Minneapolis from 1990-1999?
  29. Saint Paul has 24,701 street lights?
  30. At one time, the Pioneer Press building, Saint Paul's first skyscraper, was the tallest building west of the Mississippi? It was 12 stories and about 170 feet tall (four stories were added later)
  31. With the return of U.S. hostages in Iran (1980's), a massive yellow ribbon was tied around the Foshay Tower?
  32. Minneapolis used to be two cities?
  33. According to statistics, each citizen in Minneapolis calls the police 1.1 times per year?
  34. The brand new Science Museum has 200,000 concrete blocks, 8.2 million cubic feet and 1.75 million artifacts?
  35. The Science Museum of Minnesota has the largest triceratops skeleton in the world?
  36. That there are more Subway restaurant locations (5) in/around downtown Saint Paul then any other fast food restaurant?
  37. The World Trade Center was owned by the Principal Financial Group in Des Moines? It has recently been purchased by a Chicago firm, Zeller Corporation.
  38. Video Update's world headquarters is in the Minnesota World Trade Center?
  39. That there is an antique Virginian flag from Civil War days in the Capitol rotunda? It is a cause of controversy, since Virginia wants it back. It is the only Civil War artifact from the Confererate States that is present in a Union State.
  40. That the area around the capitol was formally the worst slums of Saint Paul?
  41. That Saint Paul didn't know of their capital status until four weeks after the territorial charter was signed?
  42. Saint Paul was the first Minnesotan city to build an insane asylum?
  43. That the Saint Paul Companies (insurance firm) is the only Fortune 500 company that started and still exists in the city?
  44. 3M was ranked 4TH most admired company in 1999?
  45. 3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing?
  46. Saint Paul is sometimes called the "Boston of the West"?
  47. That the Hmong are credited with revitalizing the formerly dead Midway area of Saint Paul? It now is one of the city's most important retail areas, spreading through a distance one-half the city's east/west length.
  48. Mall of America has about as many stores as 2.5 Twin Cities metro area malls?
  49. The at the peak of Valleyfair's highest roller-coaster, the Wild Thing, the skyline of Minneapolis is just barely visible over the horizon? Pretty amazing considering it is over 20 miles away!
  50. Power Tower is Valleyfair's newest ride, capable of shooting you up 275 feet in the air? The Airport Commission was the only thing limiting it from becoming taller!
  51. That from the International Airport both skylines are visible?
  52. That at their respective population peaks, Minneapolis had about 520,000 people and Saint Paul, 315,000?
  53. Minneapolis has held the lead in population since 1880?
  54. That Southdale Mall in Edina (1959) was the first climate controlled mall in the world?
  55. That most Twin Cities malls end with -dale (Southdale, Ridgedale, Brookdale, Rosedale, etc.)?
  56. Mall of America was considered a favorite "jumping" spot?
  57. A cage had to be added to the observation deck on Foshay Tower because too many people jumped off?
  58. Jesse Ventura souvenirs are more dominant at Mall of America then ones advertising the mall itself?
  59. There are about a half a dozen Minnesota themed stores in Mall of America?
  60. If you are an Africian-American teenage girl, your chances of getting pregnant are highest in Minnesota?
  61. That downtown Minneapolis has over 80,000,000 square feet for business alone?
  62. Property crimes are the most common type of crime committed here?
  63. Wells Fargo Center in Minneapolis is worth more than Saint Paul's 10 most valuable skyscrapers combined?
  64. The president of U.S. Bank in Minneapolis was once kidnapped?
  65. That there is actually a skyway branch to the Saint Paul library (in Wells Fargo Center, hours: M-F 9-5, closed weekends)?
  66. The IDS Center in Minneapolis actually consists of two towers, connected by a base? The other tower is 19 stories and is called the Marquette Hotel.
  67. Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank DON'T actually own their Minneapolis towers? They lease them!
  68. That the crystal court's basement consists of TJ Maxx?
  69. That in the crystal court is the orginial model of the IDS in the late 60's?
  70. From the Foshay Tower, you can see over 14 miles in every direction (on a clear day)?
  71. That the Minneapolis Institute of Art has an impressive collection of jade sculptures from Asia?
  72. Even from the far eastern metro (20+ miles away), Minneapolis is visible on a clear day?
  73. That the time from one downtown to the other by I-94 in non-rush hour traffic is 10 minutes?
  74. That both the Capitol and Wells Fargo Center are shrouded in floodlights at night, making them the most brightly lit structures in the cities?
  75. Charles Schultz, Peanuts comics author, lived in Saint Paul and graduated from Central High School?
  76. Both cities have nearly a 20% poverty rate?
  77. Minneapolis is listed as second most generous city when it comes to volunteering and donations?
  78. The metro area was ranked #2 in fitness? It recently ranked #5 in 2000.
  79. Minnesota ranks first in the percentage of homes with telephones?
  80. The usual commute time is 23.5 minutes? Now, recent studies show it has climbed up to the realm of 27 minutes.
  81. For two years (1888-1889), Saint Paul had an elevated monorail?
  82. Minnesota ranks second in the U.S. in the amount of millionaires per capita?
  83. That the Twin Cities was once ranked first in the quality of life by the Urban Institute of Washington D.C.?
  84. Minnesota has 65 state parks?
  85. Minneapolis means "water city" in the Sioux language?
  86. The Rape Crisis Center was started in Minneapolis in 1973?
  87. That in between 1984-1988, 80 new strip malls were built in the metro area?
  88. 14% of Minnesota men graduated from college and 9% of women?
  89. That the U of M-Saint Paul has the only college design and fashion museum in the Midwest?
  90. Four Minnesota Counties have NO hospitals?
  91. King Boreas and Queen of the Snows is the royalty of the Winter Carnival?
  92. Eagle Mountain, at 2,301 feet, is the highest point in the state?
  93. The Northwest Angle of Minnesota was granted from a geography error?
  94. The Northwest Angle is the most northern United States land except for Alaska?
  95. By climate, the Twin Cities resemble Moscow more than any other international capital?
  96. The state has 87 counties?
  97. Ramsey is the state's smallest county and is 39 times smaller than Minnesota's largest county, St. Louis?
  98. One other state has a Minneapolis and Saint Paul (Kansas)?
  99. 31% of Minnesotans go to vacation sites in the state?
  100. The mosquito is Minnesota's unofficial state bird?
  101. Minnesota is referred to the land of 10,000 lakes when it really has 15,291?
  102. The Pillsbury doughboy is 36 years old?
  103. When the Hennepin Center of the Arts opened in 1979, Beth Obermeyer orchestrated the longest tap dance line in the world (1,801 dancers) for the Guinness Book of World Records?
  104. Minnesota is the birthplace of Wheaties?
  105. The Artist (formerly known as Prince) played basketball at Central High in Minneapolis when growing up?
  106. Saint Paul was one of the first cities to display the Titanic parts recovered from its resting place?
  107. St. Thomas, in Saint Paul, is the only college in the country allowed to play in Cuba in over a decade and a half?
  108. IDS stands for Investors Diversified Services?
  109. The James J. Hill bridge cost $750,000 in 1883 to build, but was sold for a $1 in 1989 to the Hennepin County Regional Transit Authority?
  110. 66% of Minnesota high school graduates go on to a post-secondary education?
  111. In 1988, 18 of the Fortune 500 Companies have roots in the Twin Cities?
  112. Minnesota ranks second in the percentage of registered voters (Maine is first)?
  113. Sitting Bull was the target of an 1884 assassination attempt at the Saint Paul Opera House?
  114. Saint Paul is the world's number one producer of calendars?
  115. For four years, cigarettes were banned from the state (1909-1913)?
  116. In 1842, the first store opened in Saint Paul?
  117. St. Paul almost lost the capital status to St. Peter? The Governor went into hiding until the legislation expired (it needed his signature)!
  118. There was a population increase of almost 10% during the Great Depression?
  119. The Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota is older than the state itself?
  120. Minnesota supplied 75% of the country's iron ore from 1941-1945?
  121. The first stone house in Minnesota was built by Henry H. Sibley?
  122. Fort Snelling is the only fort that remained active through the Spanish-American War and both World Wars?
  123. The U of M was one of the first colleges in the country to include condoms in their vending machines?
  124. Minneapolis has the largest urban sculpture garden in the world?
  125. Minnesota ranks only behind Alaska in the amount of nesting pairs of American Bald Eagles?
  126. Honeywell Companies in Minneapolis formed the first home thermostats in 1885?
  127. The U of M is the birthplace of a vaccine for Lyme Disease?
  128. 3M stands for Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing?
  129. Minnesota ranks first in the amount of hearing aid companies?
  130. Minnesota also ranks second only to Alaska in population of Timberwolves?
  131. At one time, the Northwest Angle wanted to succeed from Minnesota and join Canada?
  132. 1 out of 6 turkeys in the United States are from Minnesota?
  133. Only 3.3% of Minnesota's original grasslands remain?
  134. Minnesota recorded an all-high temperature of 114.5 degrees (F) in 1917?
  135. The Twin Cities receive 42 inches of snow a year on average?
  136. The Morel is the Minnesota state mushroom?
  137. It costs 24,000 dollars a day for air-conditioning or heating at the Metrodome?
  138. Six pounds per inch of air keeps the Metrodome inflated?
  139. The Metrodome's playing ground is 55 feet below the ground?
  140. Minnesotans buy the most migratory waterfowl stamps in the country?
  141. The Metropolitan Stadium's original home plate can be found in Camp Snoopy?
  142. The Los Angeles Lakers used to be the Minneapolis Lakers (they moved in 1960)?
  143. In the late 70's, Minneapolis had their own MADD (Minnesotans Against Downtown Dome). Referring to the Metrodome of course. Can you guess who won?
  144. The Metrodome lies in a poor Hispanic neighborhood at the edge of downtown?
  145. There are 20 Minnesotans for every snowmobile?
  146. Victoria Secret has 3 different stores in Mall of America alone?
  147. Minnesota had the last survivor of the Civil War Union army, who died in 1965 (109 year old Albert Woolson)?
  148. At one time, there were plans for a 1,000 foot tall tower to be built in Saint Paul?
  149. One of the four capitol entry finalists had a design heavily based on Rhode Island's capitol?
  150. Rochester, MN has won throughout the 90's for one of the best cities in the United States to live in (#1 in 1993,1998; #2 in 1994, 1995 and 1997; #3 in 1996)
  151. Skyways in Saint Paul are open 20 hours everyday?
  152. The average skyway business in Saint Paul is only open for 25% of the time skyways are accessible?
  153. That the University of Minnesota is the state's largest employer (it's mine too!)?
  154. That X-Cel Energy paid $20 million to tack on their name to the X-Cel Energy Center? They were formerly NSP (Northern States Power).
  155. The metro ranked 19th for congestion and 15th for size in a 2000 study?
  156. That International Falls, MN is called the "Icebox of America". It is the coldest place in the nation on average.
  157. The I-494 strip of Bloomington, Richfield, and Edina make a third downtown within the Metro area? It actually has more workers (around 128,000), office space, and retail than downtown Saint Paul (Mall of America).
  158. The Twin Cities currently ranks as the 8th fastest sprawling metro area in the United States?

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