When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey: A Spirited History of the Falls

by Karen E. Cooper

Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis has been a much-loved place for a very long time. Native people visited the Falls for millennia before 1855, when Longfellow’s Song of Hiawatha put its “laughing waters” into the American imagination. Tourists from the cities in the East soon began arriving on new railroads to view its picturesque loveliness. And Minnehaha Regional Park is still a favorite place for walking, biking, and glorying in the sights and sounds of the famous waterfall.


But from the 1880s until at least 1912, Minnehaha Falls was a scene of surprising mayhem. The waterfall was privately owned from the 1850s through 1889, and entrepreneurs made money from hotels and concessions. Even after the area became a city park, shady operators set up at its borders and corrupt police ran "security." Drinking, carousing, sideshows, dances that attracted unescorted women, and general rowdiness reigned—to the dismay of the neighbors. By 1900, social reformers began to redeem Minnehaha Park. During the struggle for control, the self-indulgent goings-on there became more public and harder to ignore.


Karen E. Cooper here tells the astonishing stories of the time when Minneapolitans went to the Falls to turn a profit and raise a little ruckus.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

228 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 16, 2022

Reviews

[Frankie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Generally fine. Some interesting stories about Minnehaha, which are fun because I live right over here. Slow beginning. I was simply not interested in hearing about who bought what plot in 1860. I also think the book would’ve benefitted from a map showing all the discussed locations. Overall, might’ve been a little more fun to get this info on a Minnehaha walking tour instead of in a book.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was obviously intensely researched and I'm happy for this author that all of her knowledge is in a book - what a cool legacy. For the reader's enjoyment (mine) there were just too many characters to follow and property boundaries discussed to remain invested. The book shines when recounting specific stories and anecdotes of real people.

There were also a few instances of the author's opinion thrown in there, such as when recounting the time when the Minnehaha Park was on the verge of being created and some land is diverted to create a solider's home:

"Ames surely knew that the park's proposed map included those fifty acres and that they were supposed to be part of Minnehaha Park... Ames also must have known that there were other places on the riverbank between the fort and Minneapolis that were available for the soldiers' home. But he still just scooped up part of the proposed park and offered it to the soldiers' home commission."

It seemed written in an oddly personal way. From a veteran's or a deceased soldiers' family's pov, a soliders' home in close vicinity to a beautiful waterfall and park would be a wonderful opportunity and recognition of that population.

Overall an interesting read and it definitely inspired me to try to visit the falls and park next time I'm in Minneapolis.

[Lisa Horner · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a frequent visitor to Minehaha Falls, I was excited to read this book. I ended up skimming through parts of it. The author obviously meticulously researched the history of the falls, but I found that I didn’t really care to know all the names and dates of everything that ever happened there. I enjoyed the few accompanying photos and wish there had been more. 2 1/2 stars.

[Pam Folk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, Specialized Book

As a Twin Cities resident, this was very interesting. I didn’t have an idea of the conflicts over Minnehaha Park. People like their fun, and there are those who want to control that fun: still the same today.
Of particular interest is the on-going battle between property owners and park board members against those who wanted a fun arcade with rides, food, and dances along Hiawatha Boulevard near Minnehaha Falls.
Although I was aware of the notoriety of the falls through books and photos - particularly the poem Hiawatha, I wasn’t aware of the very early travel of the 19th century.
The enthusiasm of the author and local color doesn’t entirely make-up for the flowery prose or breathy nature of some of the writing.
I recommend it to those interested in local Minnesota and MInneapolis history.

[Ty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book to be very well researched and written. I've lived in the area for about five years and have always enjoyed exploring the creek and falls area. This past autumn I walked the dry creek bed from the falls to the river. After completing this book, I again took an extensive walk through the area; this time equipped with so much additional knowledge and backstory. It was a delight.

Also I see some things never truly change as one of the most frequent topics on the Minneapolis Reddit today is the rowdy behavior on public rail transit; which rolls right by the falls.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very detailed and specific history of a small area of the Minneapolis/St Paul area. Who knew our ancestors were so contentious, lewd, and greedy - almost as much as we are today! Tracing the history of the Minnehaha Falls area in the second half of the 19th century, Cooper gives the reader tons of detail, all well documented. I often think books like these might make better long magazine articles than whole books, but I found this readable, if a bit tedious after a while. Great read for those who love Minnesota history!

[Chandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed seeing historical pictures of the falls and park and learning about the history of the park. The book was hard to read, because the author includes lots of historical information without much of a narrative. I had trouble keeping track of all of the different names, and it seemed like a listing of landowners and managers instead of a story. Some of the inferences from the author were strange too, like Sea Salt isn't family friendly because there are lines.

[Keith Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun book to read and learn the history around the properties of Minnehaha Falls. A lot of the story tells of the greed, corruption, arson of the pavilions, the parties on weekends and the flow of whisky. Tells the early development and how the Minneapolis forefathers decided Minnehaha Falls is a very special place and needs to become park territory of Minneapolis

[Nancy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had great expectations since I love history and I love the falls. I lived close to the western edge of Lake Nokomis near Minnehaha Parkway for over 20 years. I was disappointed by the writing. And that’s all I can say without sounding overly negative.

[Jeff Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had no idea so much has taken place during the history of Minnehaha Falls. Fascinating!

[James Empson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Written enthusiastically with a very specific focus, but sadly neither the history of the place (Minnehaha Falls and park) or the historical characters struck me as very interesting.