When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey - A Spirited History of Minnehaha Falls

From the 1860s until the early 20th century, Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis was not a family-oriented destination. Rather, it was a scene of scandal and disreputable behavior. By 1891, things had gotten so bad that “Father of the Parks” Charles Loring said, “Minnehaha had become the rendezvous of the most depraved of both sexes.” Find out what the heck was going on at the falls, and how all was eventually redeemed.

Presenter Karen E. Cooper is an author, historian, and researcher who uncovered the lost past at Minnehaha Falls. Her work reveals the power structures in the city that allowed Minnehaha to become a criminal haven, and battle with those who wanted it to be a place where families felt safe and welcome. Her first book, “When Minnehaha Flowed With Whiskey: A Spirited History Of The Falls” won the Emile Buchwald Award for Minnesota Non-Fiction in 2023.