At the heart of the Upper Midwestern United States, where the confluence of the Mississippi, Minnesota, and St. Croix rivers converge, lies the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area. Known colloquially as the Twin Cities, this region is not only Minnesota’s hub for economic, cultural, and political activities, but also a melting pot of historical anecdotes that exemplify the deep-seated rivalry between the two cities. One such story that stands out is the intense competition that reached a boiling point during the 1890 United States Census.
As the census approached, both Minneapolis and Saint Paul were determined not to be outdone by the other in population numbers—an important metric that could dictate federal funding and political clout. Their rivalry, which often led to duplicated efforts in other endeavors, such as architecture and sports team names, took a dark yet almost comical turn. Each city began arresting or kidnapping the other’s census takers in a desperate attempt to curb their rival’s population count. This led to a series of events that not only disrupted the census process but painted a vivid picture of how far cities would go in the name of competition.
This ‘census war’ provided a narrative so outlandish that it could very well fit into the entertainment pages of today’s newspapers, despite occurring over a century ago. “The 1890 United States Census even led to the two cities arresting and/or kidnapping each other’s census takers, in an attempt to keep each city from outgrowing the other,” an excerpt from an article highlighting the historical rivalry explained. The tensions eventually subsided, particularly with the simultaneous arrival of the Minnesota Twins and the Minnesota Vikings in the 1960s, teams that chose to identify with the state rather than a specific city, helping to unify the Twin Cities under a common banner.
The area is now celebrated for its cultural contributions, including a thriving fine arts scene, The Minnesota Orchestra and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra are full-time professional musical ensembles. The Guthrie Theater is a world-class regional theater overlooking the Mississippi River. As well as being the home to Minnesota Public Radio, the nation’s second-largest public radio station.
Relevant articles:
– The 1890 Census Showdown: How Minneapolis and St. Paul’s Rivalry Led to Arrests and Kidnappings, Mar 1, 2017