St. Anthony and Minneapolis 1857

Curator: This is Benjamin Franklin Upton’s “St. Anthony and Minneapolis,” a photographic print from 1857. Editor: It's surprisingly calm, almost sleepy for what I imagine would have been a bustling, rapidly growing urban center at the time. Everything looks neatly arranged. Curator: Well, remember photography in the 1850s wasn't exactly instant. Think about the poses, the composition, it's all meticulously considered. This image comes just as Minneapolis was beginning to emerge as a major hub, particularly for milling. Images like these were powerful tools in shaping a city's identity and attracting further investment. Editor: It gives you a real sense of place, despite the almost dollhouse-like quality of the buildings. It’s more than just a document, though. There's a soft glow and kind of intimacy to it. I love that little dirt path winding through everything; you can almost feel the dust under your feet. Curator: And note the elevated perspective. Upton chose a vantage point that showcased the city's expansion, emphasizing its orderliness. Look how the structures are placed within the natural landscape, embodying the era’s notions of progress and civilization. The photographer sold views of Minneapolis to eager landowners to help in the construction boom and new infrastructure for the expanding city. Editor: It’s almost romantic, in a hardscrabble sort of way. I can almost hear the sounds of hammers and saws if I quiet my mind. You know, these photographers weren't just technicians, they were storytellers. They crafted narratives about who we were, who we are. This feels like a portrait, a civic self-portrait, really. Curator: Exactly. Photography here functioned almost like PR. And considering the massive social and environmental changes happening then, images like Upton's offered a carefully curated vision of stability and growth, very palatable for prospective settlers. Editor: Right. So while it might seem "sleepy" to my eye now, at the time, it would have signified something very different – possibility, prosperity, a stake in the future. What a beautiful reminder to look beyond the immediate image and ask about intention.