Exploring more in Minnesnowda

Being in Fair country we couldn’t help but make it to the Dakota County Fair for an afternoon with Jenny and Lynn. We used to attend this when we lived in Eagan, which is in Dakota County. It is not nearly as big as the Minnesnowda State Fair, but it is local and fun.

We hit the pioneer village, machinery hill, and even visited the midway (carnival rides) so that Wyatt could get in a couple of rides – he was all smiles! But I personally think he liked the petting zoo the best. He got a cup of food to feed the goats and sheep – he loved it!

The Woman got an unexpected bonus. They had a butterfly enclosure that you could walk around in, but at the time the residents were mostly Monarchs. Monarchs are cool, but we see them all the time. In the afternoon they received a newly emerged group of Painted Ladies, which we had never identified in the wild before. It is always great to encounter something new!

And of course, being a county fair late in an election year, the politicians were everywhere! All the local DFL politicians were in one big booth, and all the Republican politicians were in another booth. I have to admit I was a bit surprised to find out what a big draw the Dakota County Fair was.

Although they gave tours when we lived here 25 years ago, we never managed to make it to the Wabasha Caves. So we paired up with my brother Mike and his wife, Bonnie, and checked it out. In the 1840’s a European immigrant discovered that the sandstone under the Wabasha Bluffs was nearly pure silica. Knowing the material would make excellent glass, he dug out the caves by hand, and at the same time, provided much of the glass needed for the construction explosion in the area.

By the early 1900’s, the intense need for glass diminished, and the caves began to be used to grow mushrooms. Later, the Land O Lakes company rented the caves to cure their newly developed dairy product – blue cheese. The caves would be used from time to time for special events, but mostly were used for agriculture.

In the Roaring 20’s, Josie and William Lehman opened the Wabasha Street Speakeasy as a restaurant and nightclub. Notable patrons included John Dillinger and Ma Barker. With the arrival of Prohibition, the underground and protected caves continued to operate. Now not only were the likes of Dillinger and Barker patrons, but the St. Paul Mayor, the St. Paul Police Chief and many other politicians and officials considered themselves guests.

Before ending the day, we headed to the top end of the High Bridge that connects central St. Paul with the West Side across the Mississippi. It was a short but very nice stroll with the backdrop of the St. Paul skyline from the best vantage point in town.

Talk to you soon.