10 Best Vintage Milling Photos From Minneapolis

With the Mississippi River running through it, Minneapolis was founded on the mills that sprouted up to take advantage of the river’s power. It all centered on Saint Anthony Falls, the largest waterfall on the Mississippi. By the late 1800s, dozens of businesses operated along the river, from lumber mills to paper mills to — perhaps the most famous — flour mills. In fact, Minneapolis was once the flour-milling capital of the entire world. Some of the most famous brands in the world, such as General Mills and Pillsbury, were founded in Minneapolis. Because of this long history, there are many interesting photos of Minneapolis during the heyday of milling. Here are 10 rare photos of Minneapolis that will show you its milling history like never before.