Saint Anthony Main in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Whirlpool
— Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail —
Photographed By Keith L, April 29, 2011
1. The Whirlpool Marker
Inscription.
The Whirlpool. . "The falls are going out!" cried the alarmed citizens of St. Anthony on October 5, 1869. A tunnel being dug under the river bed to bring waterpower to Nicollet Island had collapsed. A giant whirlpool formed below the island as the river rushed into the hole. Efforts to plug it with log rafts, dams, and mud were all unsuccessful. New breaks opened up and swallowed the lower part of Nicollet Island. The problem was finally fixed in 1876 when the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed a large dam underneath the entire river bed.
"The falls are going out!" cried the alarmed citizens of St. Anthony on October 5, 1869. A tunnel being dug under the river bed to bring waterpower to Nicollet Island had collapsed. A giant whirlpool formed
below the island as the river rushed into the hole. Efforts to plug it with log rafts, dams, and mud were all unsuccessful. New breaks opened up and swallowed the lower part of Nicollet Island. The problem was
finally fixed in 1876 when the US Army Corps of Engineers constructed a large dam underneath the entire river bed.
Erected by the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Disasters. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1848.
Location. 44° 59.083′ N, 93° 15.412′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Saint Anthony Main. Marker can be reached from Southeast Main Street, 0.1 miles south of Merriam Street, on the right when traveling south. Marker is by a walking path near the east channel of the Mississippi River. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Minneapolis MN 55414, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Also see . . . Saint Anthony Falls. Wikipedia entry. The 1869 collapse of the Hennepin Island tunnel. (Submitted on May 27, 2011.)
Photographed By Keith L, April 29, 2011
2. The Whirlpool Marker
The Third Avenue Bridge is in the background.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 912 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on May 27, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
