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Minneapolis–Saint Paul, commonly known as ‘Twin Cities’ are two special urban centers built around Mississippi, Minnesota and St. Croix rivers in east-central Minnesota. They are referred to as Twin Cities because of geographical proximity between them. They both are hubs of urban and industrial activities. 

The history of Twin Cities is somewhat peculiar. Although the rivalry between the two cities has ceased but in the early 19th century, they were the great opposite of each other. They both follow each other in terms of development, and since 1961 they are commonly known as twin Cities. 

History of Minneapolis

Minneapolis, the largest city of Minnesota U.S, lies at the head of Mississippi River while joining with St. Paul to the east. Together they form the greatest metropolitan area and the largest conurbation in the state and the U.S. north-central region, known as Twin Cities. 

History of Twin Cities started when Dakota Indians first inhabited Minneapolis, and their legacy can be seen from the famous landmarks like Lake Minnetonka and Minnehaha Falls. This territory was first visited by the French missionary, Father Louis Hennepin. He was the first one to discover the beauty of the area and named the St. Anthony Falls in 1680. This land was in control of France till 1762 then under the Spanish government. Spain returned it to France in 1801, after which it was sold to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. U.S government-built Fort Snelling in 1819, a sawmill in 1821, and a flour mill in 1823. Next, seeing the entrepreneurial opportunity through Fort Snelling, Franklin Steel convinced the U.S government to redraw fort boundaries and open the rest of the land for private ownership. Minnesota territory was created in 1849, and it started the attraction population. In 1858 Minnesota was recognized as a state. The number of inhabitants on the west side of the river increased, and Minneapolis was named as a city in 1867. Many industries were established here, and the flour industry was the primary source of the economy. The University of Minnesota came here in 1851. 

History of St. Paul

St. Paul is lying in the southern part of Minnesota and near Mississippi River and adjoins with Minneapolis to the west. Sioux and Ojibwa peoples were early inhabitants of the area. In 1805 Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike explored the headwaters of the Mississippi River and made a treaty there with the Sioux for possession of the region. The land was first claimed by Pierre (“Pig’s Eye”) and made a settlement known as Pig Eye’s Landing. By the early 1820s, this landmark became the center of trading. In 1849, it became the capital of Minnesota and built many famous landmarks like the Cathedral of Saint Paul and The Capitol. Today it is home to an ethnically diverse population and a campus of the University of Minnesota. 

This was the main history of Minneapolis and St. Paul, which has now become a famous commercial, transportation, distribution, health care, financial, and industrial center.