Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Services Resources

During the last ice age, humans followed herds of game as the glaciers melted and arrived in Minnesota. Rock carvings of people and animals, and weapons that were used 5,000 years ago have been found in the state. These natives created mounds of earth for burial grounds and over 10,000 of these mounds existed at one time.

Tribes such as the Dakota, Sioux and Chippewa inhabited the region years before the French arrived in the late 1600's. When the government needed more land in the area during the early 1800's, a treaty was signed with the Dakota and, by 1858; Minnesota had became the 32nd state.

In 1862, food shortages and delays of government money resulted in the Dakota's waging the Dakota War. Between 300 and 400 government employees and settlers were killed. The preceding trials ended with 38 Indians being hanged, the largest mass execution in the United States.

During the late 1800's, Wheat farms began sprouting up in the south and Minneapolis quickly became one of the world’s top flour centers. In 1882, the first hydroelectric power plant in the United States was built at Saint Anthony Falls. Iron was found and mining began and by 1904, 111 mines were in operation.

Agriculture is only a small part of the state’s economy today. Being home of the famous Mayo Clinic and the St. Jude Hospital, the state has a large base in the health industry. Several large retailers have headquarters in the state including Target and Best Buy. And, IBM, Cray and Imation contribute to the technology resources in Minnesota.