Major Historical Places of Minneapolis

Minneapolis, one of Minnesota’s most vibrant cities, is filled with historical landmarks that reflect its industrial past, architectural beauty, and cultural heritage. Below is a comprehensive list of the most important historical places in Minneapolis, known for their significance, storytelling value, and popularity among visitors.

1. Mill City Museum

Built into the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, the Washburn A Mill, this museum is among Minneapolis’s most iconic historical landmarks. It showcases the city’s role as the “Flour Milling Capital of the World” during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

2. Stone Arch Bridge

Constructed in 1883 by railroad tycoon James J. Hill, the Stone Arch Bridge is a historic former railway bridge made of limestone and granite. Today, it is a pedestrian and cycling path offering panoramic views of St. Anthony Falls.

3. St. Anthony Falls

The only natural waterfall on the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls played a crucial role in the early industrialization of Minneapolis. It powered the city’s flour mills and sawmills and remains a historically protected site.

4. Guthrie Theater (Historic Significance)

Founded in 1963, the Guthrie Theater is not just a performing arts center but a cultural landmark. The original Guthrie played a revolutionary role in American theater history, bringing world-class productions to Minneapolis.

5. Minneapolis City Hall

Built between 1888 and 1906, the Minneapolis City Hall & Hennepin County Courthouse is known for its Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, a towering clock tower, and its beautifully preserved interiors.

6. Foshay Tower

Opened in 1929, the Foshay Tower was Minneapolis’s tallest building until the IDS Center was constructed decades later. Modeled after the Washington Monument, it symbolizes early 20th-century architectural ambition.

7. Minnehaha Falls Park

The area surrounding Minnehaha Falls has been historically significant for Native American tribes, especially the Dakota people. The park preserves cultural heritage, limestone bluffs, and beautiful natural history.

8. Basilica of Saint Mary

Completed in 1914, the Basilica of Saint Mary is the first basilica built in the United States. Its Beaux-Arts architecture and spiritual heritage make it one of Minneapolis’s most important historical structures.

9. The American Swedish Institute

Located inside the Turnblad Mansion, built in 1908, the American Swedish Institute reflects the Swedish immigrant history of Minneapolis. Its castle-like architecture is a city treasure.

10. Hennepin Avenue Bridge

The Hennepin Avenue Bridge, dating back to 1855 (with modern reconstructions), is historically recognized as the first permanent bridge across the Mississippi River. Even today, it stands as a major Minneapolis landmark.

11. Fort Snelling (Greater Minneapolis Region)

Though technically located near Minneapolis, Fort Snelling is one of the region’s most significant historical military structures. Built in the early 1820s, it marks the meeting point of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers and is deeply connected to Native American history.

12. Ard Godfrey House

Built in 1849, this is the oldest surviving frame house in Minneapolis. It represents the earliest pioneer settlement period and has been preserved in the historic St. Anthony area.

13. Weisman Art Museum (Architectural Significance)

Designed by famed architect Frank Gehry, the Weisman Art Museum is not only an art center but also a piece of modern architectural history in Minneapolis.

14. IDS Center (Modern Historical Landmark)

Completed in 1972, the IDS Center became a symbol of modern Minneapolis architecture. It stands as a historic marker of the city’s economic growth during the late 20th century.

15. Lakewood Cemetery

Founded in 1871, Lakewood Cemetery features historic mausoleums, sculptures, and memorials. It documents over a century of local history through its preserved grounds.

16. Pillsbury A Mill

Across the river from the Washburn mill, the Pillsbury A Mill was once the largest flour mill in the world. Built in 1881, it stands as a symbol of Minneapolis’s global industrial influence.

17. Hennepin History Museum

This museum preserves and exhibits artifacts that tell the story of Minneapolis and surrounding areas, from early settlements to recent developments.