History of Nicollet Island

Nicollet Island is one of many inhabited islands in the Mississippi River. It is located north of St. Anthony Falls in Central Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its size reaches to 48-acres, has a population of roughly 144 people, and is home to several historic houses. It has several more active buildings and structures; such as a monastery, an event center, an inn, a restaurant, and, of course, our high school. 

The History of Our Island:

1754–1838: In 1754, Spain, France, Britain, and a few native tribes battled over the land of North America. This was called the French and Indian War. Many pieces of the area that made up Minnesota were being passed around the countries, but eventually went to France in 1800. In 1803, President Thomas Jefferson, signed a treaty with France called the Louisiana Purchase, which made Nicollet Island an addition to the United States. Through 1820 and 1823 Col. Josiah Snelling built his fort where the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers merged. Over time, his soldiers and employees constructed mills and the west bank near the Falls of St. Anthony. In 1837, the Ojibwa and Dakota signed a treaty that opened up a new bank in the east, causing the island to separate the east bank from the West Bank.

Once everything was in motion in 1938, settlers and the military from Fort Snelling were competing with their rights to the resources provided and the river, which was used to turn mills and transfer goods. Eventually, Franklin Steele from Fort Snelling claimed victory in the competition and became one of the very first owners of the island. Over the next few decades, the settlements and buildings of the twin cities: St. Anthony and Minneapolis, began to increase. St. Anthony was doing very well with production in mills and flour during this time. The pioneers, observing from the island, saw how successful the cities were doing, transforming from small towns to large cities with hotels and productions. Most people who served in the Civil War decided to become residents of the island and began to start families and build houses, which created the small, charming town on the island. However, during the war, Franklin Steele was in debt to Hercules Dousman and lost Nicollet Island to him.

1865–1890: Dousman then decided to sell the island to William W. Eastman and John L. Merriam, resulting in a new start of the island. The new owners of the island began to start planning and constructing the southern area of the island for industry and the northern part of the island for the inhabitants to live. Eastman and Merriam wanted to get the most out of their purchase and sought out to expand water power for the island by creating a tunnel there from Hennepin Island. Instead, they almost destroyed St. Anthony Falls when the tunnel collapsed in 1869. In 1872, both cities merged into Minneapolis. In the 1880’s, the city was known as “the flour milling capital of the world.” The island was very useful during all the development and this soon interested the richer members of the city to live on the island and build mansions there, which is what gave the island its uniqueness. One of the most popular flats there is the Eastman and Grove Street Flats, built by William W. Eastman himself. For some time, Nicollet Island was the most popular address in

Minneapolis. Sadly, one of the biggest and costly fires in Minneapolis broke out on the island and ended this rich period.