Alexandria: Same Name, Different State, Different Story. And a Second One For the Road.

 Alexandria, MN and SD

My neighbors and I love our own Alexandria here in Virginia, but did you know that there are cities named Alexandria in 14 other states in the US -- AL, IN, KY, LA, MO, MN, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SD, and TN. In my travels I visited two of those other Alexandrias.

The first one I visited, Alexandria MN was a planned stop. When I was researching possible stops on my route from Baraboo WI to Fargo ND, Alexandra seemed like a good enough spot to get out and stretch. Besides having the same name as my hometown, it also has a spectacular kitschy feature that made it worth getting off the highway for -- a giant 28 foot statue of a Viking holding a spear and shield which reads "Alexandria the Birthplace of America." 

Of course it is, I thought. After all, Alexandria VA, established in 1749, celebrated its 273rd birthday this past July, while celebrating the USA's 246th. But why would Alexandria MN be so keen on honoring its namesake city in Virginia? As it turns out, they are not.     

Alexandria MN, began as a pioneer settlement in 1858 and a military stockade was built there in 1863 in response to the Dakota Conflict. So how, you ask, does it possibly claim to be the birthplace of America? Well, apparently in 1898 an artifact, now known as the Kensington Runestone, was discovered there by a Swedish farmer, Olaf Ohman, which suggests that a group of Norse Viking explorers visited the area long before Columbus set foot in the new land. The 200 pound stone has markings telling of an "exploration journey from Vinland to the West in 1362" and a horrible death that meet some of that group.  

There has been great debate by various scholarly geologists, historians, and linguists, as to the veracity of the Rune's authenticity. Most experts believe that the stone is a hoax, but there are those who point to historical context that indicates otherwise. Regardless, the town of Alexandria MN is proud to embrace the story in order to proclaim itself America's Birthplace, and the Runestone itself sits in the town's Runestone Museum. 

The debate still rages on, and has even found popularity in pop culture. The naming of Minnesota's professional football team, the Vikings, was reportedly inspired by the Runestone's story. And in May 2022, Runestone: The Rock Musical (guessing that is pun intended) opened at History Theatre in St. Paul, and tells the Runestone's story through song and dance, but ultimately leaves the decision of truth or hoax up to its audience members. 

The town today, population 14,335, is actually quite adorable with a lakeside park, a thriving historic downtown area with restaurants, shopping, theater, and just about every service a small town needs. There is also a more suburban area with tract housing, big box stores and a drive-thru Starbucks! It is apparently a very popular vacation spot, with a wide array of lodging available and activities for all seasons. The city's motto is "Easy to get to, hard to leave." That sounds a little Hotel California to me, but it does seem like a pleasant enough place to live or visit. 

The second Alexandria that I visited was in SD, and I just stumbled upon it when my travel plans suddenly changed to include Mitchell, SD (see Corn Palace blog) and I found myself driving on backroads, scoping spots for possible sunset/sunrise shots. Alexandria SD is a tiny little town of  615 residents. The town, along with its post office, was established in 1880.  

Today, there is not a whole lot in Alexandria SD besides a post office, a bank, a farm alliance, a furniture store, an insurance office, a bar, and a block of mostly empty storefronts. There is a beautiful old stone Catholic Church just off Main Street, but aside from Main Street and the road you come in on from the highway, the roads of Alexandria SD are mostly dirt and appear to go off into farmland or to small industrial-type buildings. 

That said, the town apparently is a sports powerhouse at its one school, which boasts Championship Teams in Baseball, Track, Basketball, and Football over the years. Go Beavers!

Okay then, three down, a dozen to go. 

If you came to this first through the blog, know that there are more photos on the related Facebook post

Google Album for these photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/W6cCfmdYBQmteGbN6