History of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Medallion Hunt

In 1885 a New York Times Reporter wrote that Saint Paul was the "Siberia of America" and questioned whether it was fit for human habitation. Offended by this attack on their capital city, the St. Paul Chamber of Commerce decided to prove not only that Saint Paul was habitable but that its citizens were very much alive during winter, the most dominant season. Thus was born the Saint Paul Winter Carnival. In 1886 King Boreas I was crowned at the first Winter Carnival. This festival also featuredan ice castle, an elaborate creation made from Minnesota lakes, which has evolved into an internationally recognized icon for Saint Paul's festival. The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, also known as "The Coolest Celebration on Earth," is the nation's oldest and largest winter festival. With more than 75 events -- including the breathtaking ice sculptures, snow sculptures, ice castles, parades and giant snow slides -- the Carnival has become a trademark of history, community spirit, and togetherness, turning Saint Paul into a winter wonderland in late January/early February. The Saint Paul Pioneer Press Treasure Hunt started in 1952 and is sponsored by the Saint Paul Pioneer Press newspaper. The first medallion hunt featured a treasure chest, which was worth $1,100. Through the years, the prize has increased to its current level of $10,000. In 1988 the medallion was changed to lucite so hunters with metal detectors would not have an advantage. Generations of Saint Paulites have passed the medallion-hunting tradition on to their children and grandchildren, and it is not unusual to see three generations hunting together late at night with a bonfire built, their mining helmet lights illuminating the ground, shovels clanking through ice and snow in hope of finding the famed, ever-so-elusive medallion. Winter Carnival and Medallion Hunting Links Treasure Hunt Headquarters Mr. Med Hunter's comprehensive site includes hunt history, rules, photos, a trivia test, a guess-the-mystery park game, clue analysis, hunt FAQs, press coverage, a bulletin board and various user polls. Treasure Hunter's Guide Steve Worthman's book "St. Paul Parks - A Treasure Hunter's Guide" is a must-have for all medallion hunters. It contains detailed maps of over 70 Saint Paul parks and rec centers and is considered the ultimate source for those who need to know what's in and around the Saint Paul Parks. Steve's website has over 250 photos of Saint Paul parks. Saint Paul Winter Carnival Official site of The Saint Paul Winter Carnival, an annual event put on by the Saint Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation in late January and early February with many events and activities in celebration of the Minnesota winter. The Medallion Hunt is part of the Winter Carnival. Cooler Crew The Cooler Crew is home of The Coolerheads, a group who loves the hunt so much that they get together year-round to discuss it. Coolercrew.com contains a wealth of information about hunt history and lore, a glossary of treasure hunt lingo, images and newspaper articles from past hunts, as well as all the clues from all of the hunts dating back to the first one in 1952. Allison Wonderland's Center for Minnesota Treasure Hunting A Yahoo! Group dedicated to treasure hunting in Minnesota. Anyone who's participated in one of Allison's mock hunts knows that he is the best clue writer in Saint Paul, and if the Pioneer Press were wise, they would hire him to write the real clues and hide the medallion. Camo Crue The Camo Crue's official website. Marley King's "The Kings Commons" Provides daily pictures of Saint Paul park conditions. Medallion Hunt Water Cooler Boards (1998-2002) Relive the history of the Pioneer Press Water Cooler Boards. Follow these threads to learn how the Coolerheads formed and grew into the vibrant and thriving group that they are today. Carnival Years Button Collection Ronald Young's collection of Winter Carnival buttons. Minnesota Historical Society Photo Collection Numerous historical photographs of past Winter Carnivals.