The state of Minnesota is the result of three separate United States expansions - The Lousiana Purchase, the War for Independence, and a small cession by Britain in approximatly 1833. Present day Minneapolis was purchased by Zebulon Pike and eventually Fort Snelling, named for Colonel Josiah Snelling, was built on the property. Expansion of Fort Snelling caused people in the area to move, some eventually ending up in St. Paul with the cities original inhabitant- Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant. The new establishment kept the name "Pig's Eye" after Parrants move to Sault Ste. Marie, MI until Father Lucien Galtier arrived and built a church dedicated to Saint Paul. In 1850 the Father asked the townsfolk to rename the growing town to St. Paul. They agreed to the change. The town grew quickly after its name change, with cabins being built daily. Its location on the Mississippi made it ideal as a shipping port. In 1848 Wisconsin became a state, leaving what is now Minnesota "out in the cold". One year later Minnesota became a territory with St. Paul as the capital. The town doubled in size three weeks after this announcement. In 1858, Minnesota became a state, with St. Paul as the capital.
Minneapollis is now the largest city in Minnesota and the largest of the "Twin" cities. During the Fort Snelling expansion, while some moved into "Pig's Ear", others made their way to Saint Anthony, named for nearby waterfalls. By 1855, Saint Anthony had become a city and Fort Snelling had been sold. Franklin Steele bought the old fort, and leased it back to the government during the Civil War. After the war was over he leased the land to settlers and the city began to grow. The town of Minneapolis became a city in 1867. Several years later Saint Anthony and Minneapolis decided to merge into one city. City leaders decided to keep the name Minneapolis. During the railway boom it became the gateway to the Northern Great Plains. Over the years it also became home to several Fortune 500 companies. The city is home to a wide array of cultural sites, and also gave us Charles Schultz and a futuristic world of skyways so that you don't have to brave the cold Minnesota winters to reach your favorite destination.
