Minnesota State Fairgrounds in Falcon Heights in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Minnesota Marquees
Photographed by McGhiever, July 22, 2026
1. Minnesota Marquees south panel
Minnesota's rich heritage of innovation, artistry, heroism, achievement and history.
We're just getting started.
There are many more Minnesota stories to add. Please contact us with your ideas at [email protected]. Thank you!
Mill City
In the late 1800s, grain milling was revolutionized in Minnesota, and Minneapolis was home to the largest flourmills in the world led by Pillsbury and the Washburn-Crosby Co., which later became General Mills.
Judy Garland
From Grand Rapids to world-wide fame as an actor, dancer, singer and vaudevillian. A major motion picture star best known as Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, a Grammy-winning singer and a record-breaking concert performer.
Totino's Crip Crust Frozen Pizza
Rose Totino of Minneapolis and Pillsbury food scientists developed a recipe for frozen pizza with a crispy crust in 1978.
Andrews Sisters
LaVerne, Maxene and Patty from Mound were the most successful and influential of all vocal groups from the swing, boogie-woogie and jazz era, paving the way for R & B and jump blues.
James Root
During the catastrophic Hinckley Fire of 1894, engineer Root and his train crew suffered serious burns and injury, yet saved more than 150 people by driving their train backwards to safety through nearly five miles of burning forest. The fire destroyed an area of more than 300 sq. miles with a wall of fire up to 200 feet high.
Mayo Brothers
In the late 1800s, Rochester's brilliant doctors Will and Charlie Mayo built a large group practice of specialists, with laboratories for diagnostics and research. Today, the Mayo Clinic serves patients from over 130 nations around the world.
Jolly Green Giant
"Green Giant Great Big Tender Peas" was first used in 1925 by Minnesota Valley Canning Company of Le Sueur. The Green Giant took on his jolly appearance
this page online
Lou Bellamy
Founder of St. Paul's Penumbra Theatre, which today is Minnesota's only professional African American theatre, and one of only three professional African American theaters in the nation to offer a full season of performances.
SPAM
Hormel Foods in Austin introduced SPAM© in 1937, and its extensive use in World War II gave it worldwide popularity.
Earl Bakken
The Columbia Heights native and founder of Medtronic invented the heart pacemaker in his garage, and founded the world's only museum dedicated primarily to medical electricity, located in Minneapolis.
Minnesota Vineyards
In the mid-1980s, the University of Minnesota's Horticultural Research Center developed a breeding program for wine grapes, producing cold-hardy varieties to withstand the harsh winters. Today, it is recognized as one of the top wine grape programs in the nation.
Betty Crocker
Fictional character and brand created in 1921 by General Mills with headquarters in Golden Valley.
Ann Bancroft
St. Paul's explorer, teacher and author is the first woman to complete grueling expeditions in the Arctic and Antarctic, including leading
Photographed by McGhiever, July 22, 2026
2. Minnesota Marquees middle panel
Sinclair Lewis
Sauk Centre's pioneering novelist, short story writer and playwright. Greatest works include novels "Main Street" and "Elmer Gantry." First U.S. writer to receive the Nobel Prize for Literature.
Hmong American Farmers
Hmong American farmers represent more than half the food and flower producers at Twin Cities farmers markets, introducing new foods while expanding awareness of small-scale farming, local foods and urban agriculture.
Will Steger
Richfield's legendary polar explorer, educator and environmentalist led the first dogsled expedition to the North Pole in 186, followed by expeditions across Canada, Greenland and Antarctica.
Poppin' Fresh
The Pillsbury Doughboy was created in 1965 as the mascot of Minneapolis' Pillsbury Company to promote refrigerated dough products.
Great Northern Railroad
James J. Hill's railroad greatly expanded agricultural commerce across the continent, connecting northern states from St. Paul all the way to the Pacific Ocean.
Erected by the Minnesota State Fair.
Photographed by McGhiever, July 22, 2026
3. Minnesota Marquees north panel
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Women.
Location. 44° 59.26′ N, 93° 10.167′ W. Marker is in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Minnesota State Fairgrounds. It can be reached from Hoyt Avenue west of Snelling Avenue (Minnesota Highway 51), on the left when traveling west. The marker is just inside the fairgrounds' north entrance. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Paul MN 55108, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Minnesota Marquees
Photographed by McGhiever, July 22, 2026
4. Minnesota Marquees north panel reverse, with the same text in mirror order
More about this marker. The fairgrounds are free to visit when there are no events scheduled.
Photographed by McGhiever, July 22, 2026
5. Minnesota Marquees Marker (left) on the fairgrounds' north entrance plaza
Credits. This page was last revised on September 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 2, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
