Dundas’ Archibald Mill Represents Minnesota’s ‘Earliest Industry’
DUNDAS, Minn. (WCCO) — For more than a century, mill ruins in Rice County have stood tall, and for good reason. In Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how the history of the Archibald Mill is...
View ArticleFinding Minnesota: Anne Gorham Shares The Beauty Of Beach Glass On The North...
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — There’s plenty to do and see along the North Shore. There’s also plenty to discover right under your feet. “I love the scenery. I love the lake,” said Anne Gorham. “The lake has...
View ArticleIn Kanabec County, You Can Walk Through A Minnesota-Shaped Pine Forest
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — How long do you think it would take to walk across Minnesota? The answer is about 5 minutes — at least in Kanabec County. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us...
View ArticleKerfoot Canopy Tour Offers A Unique View Of Minnesota’s Fall Colors
HENDERSON, Minn. (WCCO) — Soon enough the leaves will start changing across the state. And along the Minnesota River Valley, there’s a pretty cool way to see the yellows, reds and oranges. In this...
View ArticleSchell’s Brewery: Preserving New Ulm’s Tasteful Heritage For 160 Years
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Not too many towns in Minnesota can say they have a 27-foot tall statue watching over them. Hermann the German is hard to miss, but he’s just one part of New Ulm’s “tasteful”...
View ArticleMinnesota-Made Viking Ship That Sailed To Norway On Display In Moorhead
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Because of that game-day chant, most Minnesota Vikings fans know that “skol” means “cheers” in Norwegian. And Vikings fans who travel to Moorhead can learn another Norwegian word:...
View ArticleU.S Hockey Hall Of Fame In Eveleth Honors Sport’s History, All-Stars
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — There’s a town in the State of Hockey where pucks and sticks are as common as stop signs and sidewalks. Eveleth is also home to the world’s largest hockey stick — which is fitting...
View Article‘Absolutely Gorgeous’: 100-Year-Old Fire Tower Offers Tree-Top Views In...
PEQUOT LAKES, Minn. (WCCO) — Just outside of Pequot Lakes and through a smattering of fall colors you’ll find one of the last remaining fire towers in the state. It’s 100 feet to the top, or 135 short...
View ArticleHaunted Hotel: The Many ‘Unregistered Guests’ At Sauk Centre’s Historic...
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — With Halloween right around the corner, this is your yearly reminder that Minnesota is full of good haunts, and a hotel in central Minnesota has become the subject of many...
View ArticleOn Eve Of Judy Garland’s 100th Birthday, Grand Rapids Museum Showcases Star’s...
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A northern Minnesota town is the childhood home of a movie star legend. Judy Garland would have turned 100 years old next year. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen...
View Article‘Renaissance’: Beloved Mountain Biking Trails Bringing New Life To The Iron...
IRONTON, Minn. (WCCO) — In the early 1900s, it was iron ore that brought people to the Cuyuna Range. Speed ahead 100 years and now it’s the trails that have become the destination. “Ten years ago the...
View ArticleOne Of Nation’s Oldest General Stores Still Operates In Marine On St. Croix
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s a store that existed well before Minnesota officially became a state. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen visits Marine on St. Croix to see one of the oldest...
View ArticleHistoric Wabasha Street Caves In St. Paul Begins New Chapter
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — From swing dancing to disco, and gangsters to ghosts, there’s a place in St. Paul that’s had it all. And now it’s beginning a new chapter. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John...
View ArticleMinnesota Man’s Hamm’s Beer Collection Is Among World’s Largest
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Collections come in all shapes and sizes, and a southern Minnesota man has one that is beyond impressive. Steve Miner is proud owner of one of the largest Hamm’s Beer collections...
View ArticleThe Storied History Of The 5,000-Pound Turkey In Frazee, Minnesota —...
FRAZEE, Minn. (WCCO) — People will eat plenty of turkey this holiday season, and residents in Frazee are no different. But there’s one bird in town who has no plans to become Christmas dinner. In this...
View ArticleFoshay Tower: 92 Years Of Skyline Views In Downtown Minneapolis Began In Infamy
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — For 40 years it was the tallest building in Minneapolis and over the decades, much has changed at the Foshay Tower. “One of my favorite parts of the day is going up to our...
View ArticleHow Bentleyville Became One Of Minnesota’s Holiday Must-Sees
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — It’s the most wonderful time of year everywhere, but especially in Duluth. That’s where you’ll find Bentleyville, home to millions of Christmas lights. In this week’s Finding...
View ArticleGathered Oaks: Minnesota’s Popular Countryside Grain Bin Airbnb
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minnesota is in the middle of the heartland, and farming is a big part of what we do. So what happens when you combine agriculture and Airbnb? “We’re loving being here in...
View Article150 Years Of U.S. Military History On Display In Cannon Falls Machine Shed...
CANNON FALLS, Minn. (WCCO) — There’s a place in Goodhue County where you can find military history dating back a century and a half. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how a...
View Article‘He’s Smiling Down On This Building’: Rink Of Dreams Hockey Barn Draws...
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — You’ve heard of the “Field of Dreams” — but have you heard of the “Rink of Dreams?” In the heart of the heartland, there’s a farm that seems to fit right in. The Schulz family is...
View ArticleMinnetrista Man Preserves His Family’s 97-Year History Of Milk Deliveries
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Got milk? There was a time when the milkman was as common as the mail carrier. And a Minnetrista man is going all-out to make sure people never forget that. In this week’s Finding...
View ArticleHow Skijoring Became So Popular In Minnesota
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Even in sub-zero temperatures, man and man’s best friend still find a good reason to get out together, in the cold. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us how...
View ArticleEver Go Car Racing On A Frozen Lake?
GARRISON, Minn. (WCCO) — It’s one of those things that can only happen in the land of 10,000 frozen lakes. People may think race car drivers take the winter off, but not so fast. In this week’s Finding...
View Article‘I’m Super Thankful That I Can Create’: Moose Lake Artist Crafts Driftwood...
MINNESOTA (WCCO) — While going for a walk on the beach, you might see a piece of driftwood and kick it off to the side. But a Moose Lake woman sees that same piece of wood as potential. The paintings...
View ArticleTwin Cities Couple Creates Minnesota-Themed Puzzles With Hidden ‘Twists’
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — It’s a favorite winter past-time with a bit of a twist. People love to do puzzles, but have you ever wondered how they’re made? “My family has always been obsessed with...
View ArticleMinnesota Barrel-Makers Using Ancient Craft To Bring New Flavors To Whiskey
PARK RAPDIS, Minn. (WCCO) — As distilleries pop up across the state, barrel-makers are keeping busy. At Black Swan Cooperage in Park Rapids, a flavorful whiskey starts with a flavorful wood. “It starts...
View ArticleA Landlocked Lighthouse In Central Minnesota Trades Shoreline Views For Treetops
UPSALA, Minn. (WCCO) — The North Shore is known for its lighthouses, but what about the middle of Minnesota? In Morrison County, a landmark has become a beacon of light. “He wanted to build the tree...
View ArticleVining’s Nyberg Sculpture Park Offers ‘Something Different’ In Small Town...
VINING, Minn. (WCCO) — It takes about 30 seconds to drive through the town of Vining. But during that 30 seconds, there’s a lot to see. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen shows us why...
View ArticleFinding Minnesota: Mdewakanton Sioux Cultural Center
SHAKOPEE, Minn. (WCCO) — In the middle of Scott County, you can learn about history, culture and language through the eyes of the Dakota people. The Mdewakanton Sioux Cultural Center is an eye-opener...
View ArticleTiny Minnesota Town Art School Renowned For Teaching Scandinavian Folk Art
MILAN, Minn. (WCCO) — Because of its size, Milan is one of those don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-it western Minnesota towns. But if you take a closer look, you’ll find little treasures around every corner....
View Article‘Everybody Loves To Ride The Train’: It’s Grand Central Station At Minnesota...
ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — There’s a museum in the Twin Cities that, on certain days, transforms into Grand Central Station. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, we follow the tracks to the Minnesota...
View ArticleHow Gooseberry Falls Has Evolved Over The Years
TWO HARBORS, Minn. (WCCO) – Many people will recognize Gooseberry Falls near Two Harbors, but did you know the falls has changed a lot over the years? “It’s kind of that first big ‘wow’ place that you...
View ArticleFinding Minnesota: Comet Theater Is State’s Oldest Continuously-Running,...
COOK, Minn. (WCCO) — The pandemic has not been kind to movie theaters. Some have closed their doors for good. But there’s one near the Canadian border that is the longest, continuously-running...
View ArticleLakeville’s Hot Sam’s Antiques Is A ‘Refuge For Happiness’
Originally published on April 27 LAKEVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) — From the wacky to the wild, there’s a place in Lakeville that has it all. Movie props and discarded junk have turned Hot Sam’s Antiques into a...
View ArticleBirds Of Different Feathers Flock Together At Fergus Falls Rookery
FERGUS FALLS, Minn. (WCCO) — It’s not very often that you can get up close and personal with 20 different species of birds, right in the middle of town, but that’s the case in a west central Minnesota...
View ArticleMontgomery National Golf Club’s ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ Inspired By Owner’s...
MONTGOMERY, Minn. (WCCO) — There’s a place in our state where you can “hit” a nice drive down the fairway, while surrounded by “hits” from the Beatles. In this week’s Finding Minnesota, John Lauritsen...
View ArticleThe Incredible Challenges It Took To Build Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel Along...
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP, Minn. (WCCO) — In a few weeks, summer vacation will start, and families will head for the North Shore. When they do, thousands will drive through the Silver Creek Cliff Tunnel,...
View Article‘It’s Bizarre’: Southern Minnesota Ghost Town Still Attracting Summer Visitors
Originally published May 25 FORESTVILLE, Minn. (WCCO) — It was once a thriving community in our state. Now, Forestville’s population is zero. But its buildings remain. In this week’s Finding Minnesota,...
View ArticleAfter More Than A Century, Southern Minnesota Restaurant Still Slinging ‘Dam’...
Originally published June 1 BLUE EARTH CO., Minn. (WCCO) — There’s a restaurant in southern Minnesota that’s been around for more than 100 years. And it’s pretty “dam” good, thanks in large part to the...
View Article‘The Most Incredible Thing’: Taking In Views Of The St. Croix Valley From A...
Originally published June 30, 2021 MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – During a Minnesota summer there’s no shortage of beautiful, scenic views. So how about one from thousands of feet straight up in a hot air...
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