As a non-native Minnesotan, I will say I encountered A LOT of surprises upon my move to Minneapolis. Any new Minnesotan will quickly learn we have loads of lakes and accents that may occasionally seem funny to outsiders, but there are definitely some lesser know things about Minnesota.
As a Californian, I will admit, I thought Minnesota was a butter-filled arctic wasteland. But I did my research, and was pleasantly surprised enough to pack up my car and drive all the way to the land of 10,000 lakes. Here are the 20 things that may surprised you the most when moving to Minnesota"
1. I had no idea until I moved here that Minneapolis is America's 3rd most literate city.
2. It is actually not the snow or ice that makes winter hard, but the cold. It's the wind chill and below freezing temperature that will cause the most grief.
A world without a Starbucks on every corner... when I first moved I was so confused I drove from downtown to Wayzata to go to Starbucks. Then I tried Caribou and converted.
10. Minnesotans are connoisseurs of a lot of things. Among them, apples.
Craft beer is on a completely different level here.
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13. Jucy Lucy... Juicy Lucy? Who cares how it's spelled or who made it, I thought cheese on the inside of a burger was a Pinterest invention until I moved here.
Another great way to avoid leaving the car in winter.
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So, for all the native Minnesotans, remember you have a lot to be proud of. This is a beautiful and wonderful state and it doesn't get nearly enough credit!
Some destinations and stories have become so ingrained in a community that they become lore. Each time these local legends are retold, the original lore lives on, making the past ever-present in small towns and cities across the United States. One such place is tucked away in Duluth, Minnesota. The Glensheen Mansion is not only the most visited historic home in the state, but its history is riddled with rumors, speculation, and intrigue.
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Welcome to Only In Your State’s newest series, Rumor Has It, where we celebrate the local rumors – fact and fiction – that make America unique.
Operated by the University of Minnesota Duluth as a historic house museum, the Glensheen Mansion is nestled on 12 acres of pristine waterfront property on Lake Superior. It was here that Chester and Clara Congdon built their home. Modeled after an English estate, this 20,000-square-foot behemoth features 39 rooms and was built in the Jacobean architectural tradition in the early 1900s for a total cost of $854,000 — equivalent to more than 22 million dollars today. It is an impressive feat of architecture, with tunnel-fed utilities, a private reservoir, and the largest private pier on Lake Superior.
Every detail of the estate has been thoughtfully selected, and when you enter the Glensheen Mansion, you will be immediately transported to the past. Also known as the Historic Congdon Estate, the Glensheen Mansion is undoubtedly impressive, but that’s not the only reason it’s famous: the mansion was the site of two murders in the 1970s – a fact that is mentioned in hushed tones, swept under the rug. As a self-identified true crime aficionado, this tragedy is what has drawn me to the Glensheen Mansion.
On June 27, 1977, at 7 a.m., Elisabeth Congdon, the heiress to the Congdon family fortune who needed round-the-clock care after a stroke, and her nurse, Velma Pietila, were found murdered. Congdon was suffocated with a satin pillow; Pietila was beaten to death with a candlestick. The bedroom was ransacked, and there was a missing jewelry box. The initial motive was thought to be robbery.
Marjorie Congdon LeRoy, Elisabeth Congdon’s adopted daughter, was charged with aiding and abetting as well as conspiracy to commit murder but was acquitted on all charges. Marjorie’s second husband, Roger Caldwell, was convicted of two charges of first-degree murder and received two life sentences. His conviction was overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court, even though he pleaded guilty and submitted to a full confession. Though he was later released from prison, he committed suicide in 1988. In the meantime, Marjorie Congdon Caldwell Hagen was once wanted for bigamy in North Dakota and twice convicted of arson, for which she served 12 years in prison.
Two years after Congdon’s murder, in 1979, the mansion opened to the public for tours. As a Minnesota native, I have always been fascinated by the Glensheen Mansion and the tragic murders that took place there. Most peculiar to me, though, is that despite the notoriety of the murders, you will find little trace of this story at the Glensheen Mansion.
In the PBS Documentary, “Glensheen & The Congdon Legacy,” the murder is mentioned briefly. The narrator says, “The story of that dreadful night and its connection to Miss Congdon’s adopted daughter Marjorie has been told many times, and it’s a story that is not ignored at Glensheen, but neither is it emphasized.”
I recently chatted with Victoria Prasek, who worked as a tour guide at Glensheen Mansion from 2015 to 2018 while studying at the University of Minnesota Duluth, about her time at Glensheen. "I knew about the murders before I worked there. I had grown up spending time in Duluth, and my mom had told me the story," said Prasek. "I had also read the book Will to Murder, which is the most accurate literary portrayal of what happened as it was co-authored by a prosecutor on the case."
Feeding the rumor is the way the murders are discussed in hushed tones – and the fact that when Marjorie was released from prison in 2004, she moved to Tuscon and fell off the grid. As far as anyone knows, she is still living in Tuscon.
In the past, Glensheen tour guides were explicitly told not to discuss the murders, but we’re told they might now tell you more if you ask discreetly after the tour: "We were both quite curious about murders that had occurred there in the 1970s, but the tour guide studiously avoided the topic. Although, if pressed, she would offer short answers to questions about the event – where the bodies were found, etc. – but for the most part, she encouraged us to do our own research after the tour," recalls Only In Your State writer, editor, and Minnesota resident Trent Jonas of his visit.
Prasek corroborated Jonas's experience: "If guests asked, we would tell them we were not allowed to discuss it on the tour, but could answer basic questions at the end. Later in my time there, we had memorial pamphlets to hand out to curious guests at the end,” said Prasek. “I would tell guests the basics of what happened, who was murdered, and who committed the crimes, and suggest they read Will To Murder.”
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While the murder may have overshadowed the legacy of the Congdon family and what they have done for Northeast Minnesota, the murder of Elizabeth Congdon and Velma Pietila is one of the most fascinating legends of the region. If the walls of this historic stately mansion could talk, I wonder what they would say. Were Elizabeth and Velma murdered by Marjorie or her husband? Is there more to the story than meets the eye?
Of course, the Glensheen Mansion is also rumored to be haunted, but that's a story for another day: "Part of my time there, I also worked on the event staff. Often, we would be in the house late at night, and once, after cleaning up an event and turning lights off, we turned around to see all the lights in the house back on," said Prasek.
Have you visited the Glensheen Mansion for yourself? Do you think it's haunted? Discover another spooky icon in the Midwest with Only In Your State editor Sarah McCosham, who recently visited the Ohio State Reformatory (of Shawshank Redemption fame, of course).
Best Travel Gifts of 2024, Hand-picked by Our Travel Experts
If you're looking for gifting ideas for the travelers in your life this holiday season, check out our list of our favorite, tried and true travel gifts.
Welcome to Hand-Picked, a curated series highlighting the travel gear and goods our staff truly love. From practical essentials to playful extras, these are the items that make travel fun—and shopping even better! Each pick is independently selected by our editors, and if you make a purchase through our links, Only In Your State may earn a commission.
There is nothing that makes me happier than picking out the perfect gift. Friends often ask me for ideas of what to gift to their family, children, partners, friends... the challenge of finding that special item (or experience) is my favorite kind of adrenaline rush. And because of this, the holiday season is like my version of sky diving.
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Our team of travel experts here at Only In Your State joined me in selecting our favorite travel gifts of the season. We've hand-picked 24 gifts that we own and love and would joyfully wrap up with a shiny bow for other travel lovers in our lives. We've chosen a variety of options, from candles to books, to the perfect travel shoes and bags. There is also a wide range of prices for any gifting budget. Pick out a few to gift this season and maybe even send some of these ideas to those who are shopping for you. It may be the holiday season, but it is also always travel season in our minds.
Why We Love Them: How fun is this candle? I love picking out meaningful gifts and this one is perfect for the woman in your life who can't help but plan another trip. Or, maybe this is you and this candle needs to make its way into your own stocking! The LEADO store on Amazon actually has several unique gifts and it's worth checking out. Where to Buy Them: Shop this candle and more on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 Bonus: Manager of Editorial Megan Shute swears by these rechargeable USB lighters – add one to your favorite candle lover's stocking, and they will not be disappointed.
Why We Love It: We've tried some pretty spiffy eye masks, but have you ever experienced an eye massager? The Bob & Brad EyeOasis 2 is as relaxing as it gets. With adjustable pressure & heat settings, this is a must-have if you want to tune out the world and treat yourself. It's the first thing we reach for when we feel a migraine coming on! Where To Buy It: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $59.99 (normally $74.99)
Why We Love Them: It's safe to say I am in my sneaker era and I know I'm not alone. When I discovered Kizik shoes, especially their sneakers, I felt like I discovered gold at the end of the rainbow. I love that the brand is size inclusive (I have big feet) and you literally just slip these on and go. Hands-free shoes! This makes them perfect for travel and the fact that these go with everything means no over-packing necessary. Where to Buy Them: Check out the Milan sneaker and several other styles (boots, too!) on the Kizik website. Price (at time of publication): $149
Why We Love Them: I discovered Frankie Jean while in Austin with my daughter and once I saw the Y'ALL Baseball Cap, I knew it would make the perfect souvenir -- and travel hat! I always travel with a baseball hat; they're handy for post-plane hair and offer protection from the elements. Frankie Jean has an array of adorable caps for non-y'allers, too, with all 50 states represented in the web store. Where to Buy It: Visit Frankie Jean online for this hat and many others! Price (at time of publication): $32
Why We Love Them: The Yoto Mini is an excellent gadget for kids on the go. Physical cards allow children to expand their imagination through audiobooks, music, activities, and educational audio. Manager of Editorial Megan Shute purchased the mini-player for her daughter's 4th birthday earlier this year ahead of an overseas move and has been endlessly impressed: "Not only did it replace her standard sound machine with its white noise options, but it has given us another portable screen-free entertainment option for at home and while traveling. The Yoto is also perfect for anyone who asks what your child wants for the holidays — cards for their new Yoto collection, please!" Where to Buy Them: Yoto is available on their website and Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $69.99 for player
Why We Love Them: The Vuori Performance Joggers might just be the most comfortable piece of clothing we own. The buttery-soft, stretchy material is the perfect weight, and the slim yet relaxed fit is one of the most universally flattering styles we've tried. Engagement Editor Meg Archer has gifted these to many people over the last few years: "I have yet to hear anything but rave reviews (and a bit of friendly shaming for spawning new obsessions). Don't be surprised if these just so happen to, umm... multiply... in your closet. I couldn't stop at just one pair." Bonus: The matching Vuori Halo Performance Hoodie is one of our favorite lightweight layers for all types of travel! Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From Vuori Price (at time of publication): $94
Why We Love Them: If you have a friend or family member who loves to travel and loves bags (who doesn't?), then this Calpak tote bag is the ultimate gift. When I say ultimate, I mean it, because this is the ultimate bag. My own tote bag is pictured above, when used on an overnight trip. I've also used it as a carry-on bag on flights, to tote sports equipment around for my kids, and for a weekend getaway. It is much larger than it looks in this photo and keeps everything organized. It also wipes clean! Where to Buy Them: Calpak has countless travel bags, but you can find this particular one on their website. Price (at time of publication): $131.75
Why We Love Them: I've purchased two of these portable hammocks with lightweight frames throughout the years — one as a gift for my father and one for myself after realizing how fantastic the hammock was. While it's not a travel product, per se, it has made my everyday life feel more like a vacation, something we could all use a bit more of these days. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $69.99
Why We Love Them: All of the staff at Only In Your State loves to represent their roots and Wear Your Roots allows you to do that in a fashionable - and comfortable - way. We love the wears from this Montana-based company and we happen to believe that these hoodies, shirts, hats, and more make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: Shop now on the Wear Your Roots website Price (at time of publication): Varies by Product
Why We Love It: It's taken several trips for me to figure out my perfect "weekender bag that's TSA approved," but I've found my perfect carry on with the TOBIQ Colorado 30L. An Instagram ad caught my eye during a late-night scroll session and I was intrigued by the colorful compartments and versatility of the bag, which can be carried as a duffle or as a backpack (I prefer the backpack for even weight distribution and airport navigation.) Made of durable, weather-resistant recycled materials, I've stashed this bag under my seat and in the overhead compartment; it's easy to maneuver and the top zip pocket is perfect for easy phone/ID access. Bonus: I loved this carry on bag so much, I purchased TOBIQ's Toiletry Bag; it fits perfectly inside one of the Colorado's four compartments and has a smart, intuitive design with the brand's signature "plethora of zippered pouches and pockets."
Where to Buy Them: Visit tobiqtravel.com to purchase the Colorado 30L and/or Toiletry Bag. Price (at time of publication): $199 (Colorado 30L)/$69 (Toiletry Bag)
Why We Love Them: The Zestt Dreamsoft Travel Scarf doubles as a blanket, making it the perfect travel accessory for year-round adventures – especially on airplanes! Made from organic cotton and easy to wash and care for, we have even used this piece as a makeshift picnic blanket while traveling. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $50
Why I Love It: This raincoat is absolutely perfect: it's light (12.4 ounces!) and super packable, "self stuffing" into one of its pockets in a Houdini-like feat. The hood is generously sized to fit over a hat and has a cord-and-hook design that keeps rain out (seriously -- this photo was taken after a trip to Portland, Oregon, where its water resistance was put to the test!). I purchased my Torrentshellfive years ago and it still looks brand new, the fabric has never snagged or ripped despite being put through the ringer! Bonus: The Patagonia Torrentshell 3L Rain Jacket comes in men's sizes, too! Where to Buy It: Buy it now on REI. Price (at time of publication): $179 (both men's and women's)
Why We Love Them: I love gifting books. Maybe it's the writer in me or the nostalgia I feel every time I sit down and open up an actual book. Coffee table books make for great gifts and I absolutely love this collection of photography of New York City. Whether you know someone who loves NYC or has a wanderlust for the Big Apple, this gorgeous book just needs a bow on top and it's ready to gift. Where to Buy Them: Buy this book and others in the collection on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $19.78
Why We Love Them: A well-stocked first aid kit is essential for any traveler, and we love these small Welly kits. They're the perfect option to keep in your car, diaper bag, or carry-on for accidents on the go. Another excellent stocking stuffer for anyone in your life. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Walmart Price (at time of publication): $9.70
Why We Love Them: The OluKai Pehuea Lī Sneaker is lightweight and breathable, but also extremely comfortable and surprisingly supportive. It's our go-to shoe when we know we're going to be on our feet all day! We love that they can be worn as either sneakers or slides, so they're easy to slip off when going through TSA checks. Plus, the style goes with just about everything. Where To Buy Them: Buy Now From OluKai Price (at time of publication): $110
Why I Love It: Fact: Airplanes are notoriously dry, dry, dry. No matter how much water I drink both before and during the flight, I always find myself in a hydration deficit for days. My skin feels so tight and parched during flights, and while I've been known to slap on a sheet mask at 12,000 feet, my 11 year old's mortification on a recent trip had me rethinking this strategy. My solution? BioRepublic's Lost Baggage biocellulose eye masks. These mini moisturizers contain an uber-hydrating cocktail of peptides, hyaluronic acid, squalene, rose water, and vitamin E that feel oh-so-refreshing on parched skin. Bonus: Each of these little masks has enough moisture that I'm able to massage the excess into the rest of my face after my brief, in-flight spa moment. Where to Buy It: I have a BioRepublic Lost Baggage Under Eye Emergency Repair Mask Subscribe & Save order through Amazon -- you'll get a slight discount if you set this up! Price (at time of publication): 3/$15.00
Why I Love It: I am a dedicated Stanley girl, but when I travel, I like to keep things as light and portable as possible. A recent trip to Washington D.C. had me singing the praises of my Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle, especially after paying $6 for a tiny bottle of water the afternoon we arrived and embarked sans water. I love the bottle's muted color options (I have the Hydaway in Twilight), sturdy handle, and fuss-free cleaning; fully extended it holds 17 ounces of water, making this smart little number perfect for filling up on the go. Where to Buy Them: The Hydaway Collapsible Water Bottle is available at several online merchants; I purchased through REI. Available here on Amazon. Price (at time of publication): $27.95.
Why We Love Them: This is one of those things that we don't know how we traveled without them. Packing cubes keep things organized, save space in a suitcase, and take the pain out of the packing process. If you know and love someone who travels, this set would make the perfect gift. Where to Buy Them: There are so many options for packing cubes on Amazon, but we particularly LOVE this set. Price (at time of publication): $16.99 for 8 cubes
Why We Love Them: I've been a fan of Beis for years now, starting with the Weekender (it’s my absolute favorite travel bag for short car trips or flying and is surprisingly roomy). I recently purchased another Beis item — the backpack. With a padded interior sleeve, two water bottle pockets, and plenty of organization built-in — we’re talking zippered interior pockets, pen slots, a key leash, and more — this is the best backpack I’ve ever owned. It also has a full-zip opening, so it’s easy to pack, and the trolley pass-through makes it the perfect carry-on companion. This olive beauty is officially my new favorite personal item while traveling, and I’ve already brought it on several trips. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Beis Price (at time of publication): $88
Why We Love Them: We bought this set of two accessory organizers for a recent trip and think they would make a fun stocking stuffer filled with all sorts of small and useful travel goodies — chapstick, hair ties, mini lotions, bandaids, etc. The gift recipient can then use the organizers for travel. Where to Buy Them: Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $17.66
Why We Love It: The sleek style of the Away Everywhere Zip Backpack looks at home in just about any environment, making it a great transition bag if you need to hop right from a flight into a work meeting (or want to start exploring as soon as you land). It's water-resistant, has a padded laptop sleeve to keep your devices safe, and the full wrap-around zipper makes it incredibly easy to grab what you need in a cramped airplane seat. I love it! Where To Buy It:Buy Now From Away Price (at time of publication): $195
Why We Love It: Engagement Editor Meg Archer recently travel-testedthis high-end aluminum travel case, and it can only be described as the Lamborghini of Luggage: "The Sterling Pacific 40L Travel Case is hands down the best I've ever owned or reviewed. It's stunning inside and out, timelessly stylish, and rolls like a dream. Honestly, I didn't know luggage could move like this." It's undeniably a splurge, but if you're looking for a piece of eye-catching yet understated luxury-tier luggage, this is it. Where To Buy It: Buy Now From Sterling Pacific Price (at time of publication): $2,150
Why We Love It: Throw out all your assumptions about generators. The Anker Power Bank Portable Generator is all-electric (so it's totally silent), super compact, and has a massive 60,000 mAh capacity that can power multiple devices dozens of times on a single charge. It also retains an impressive 85% charge after a whole year of non-use, making it absolutely vital during emergencies. This bad boy kept us in touch with family during a multi-day blackout, but we also love it for camping trips and off-grid adventures. Where To Buy It:Buy Now On Amazon Price (at time of publication): $149.99
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If you need anymore ideas for the best travel gifts of the season, we have you covered. Check out more of our travel-themed gift guides...
