Minnesota History Magazine Spring 2026 (70.1)

Articles Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed “The Spirit of ’76” Thomas Saylor Duluth became Minnesota’s first Bicentennial Community by leveraging the 1976 national anniversary to transition from a declining industrial hub into a tourist destination. Civic leaders hosted high-profile events that attracted tens of thousands of visitors, successfully revitalizing the local economy and establishing Duluth as a travel destination. Order in the Underworld: The O’Connor System in St. Paul Ethan Osten The “O’Connor System” that governed early 20th-century St. Paul was a sophisticated political machine. Led by brothers John and Richard O’Connor, the system maintained order by providing sanctuary to fugitives in exchange for bribes and keeping a clean record within the city limits. MNHS Press Book Excerpt “We Looked Like the Enemy”: Japanese American Chick Sexers in World War II Ka F. Wong During World War II, Japanese Americans resettled in Minnesota as “chick sexers,” practicing a specialized agricultural skill vital to the national food supply. While Japanese American families sometimes navigated surveillance, wrongful arrests, and public hostility, their contributions to the poultry industry provided a pathway out of incarceration camps and allowed them to build new lives in the Midwest. Departments Editor’s Note Amy L. Boxrud Curator’s Choice Yves Hoppie Waking Up with Little Green Sprout EyeWitness John Rosengren Pelé Meets the Minnesota Kicks LandMark Marsha Neff and Greg Gaut Winona Athletic Club, Winona County Book Review Susan Curtis Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover by David Hakensen Take Three/News & Notes/Letters Highlighting MNopedia Doug Rossinow Tradition, Schism, and Continuity in Minnesota's Communities of Faith Preserving > Sharing > Connecting John P. Monahan: Returning to His Roots