As the Republican National Convention descends on the Twin Cities, we are reminded of the last time that we played host to the GOP. The year was 1892 and although Minnesota was a very different place then, we still prepared for the large crowd with as much tenacity and care as do now in 2008.

 

The following is an article by Iric Nathanson, which was originally printed in Hennepin History Magazine in the Fall 2006 issue. 

 

'The ballot has been fought and won’
The 1892 Republican convention
by Iric Nathanson

 

"I am perfectly well satisfied with the
condition of things in all directions,”
declared George Brackett, chair of
the local arrangements committee, as
Minneapolis prepared for the biggest,
most spectacular event in its 36-year
history. The year was 1892, and the city
was getting ready to host the Republican
National Convention.1
“Things are in much better shape than
I would have dared predict three weeks
ago,” Bracket announced on Wednesday,
June 2, as the countdown began for
opening day the following Monday. “If
people are disappointed, if they do not
get as good as they deserve, or as good as
they want it, it will be no fault of ours,”
he declared.2
“By Monday, the city will be in shape
to swing wide open the doors,” the Minneapolis
Tribune told its readers. “The
newspaper men have begun to arrive and
by tonight there will be an army of them
in the city.”3

 

...to continue the article click on the link below.