Nininger, Minnesota facts for kids
Nininger is a fascinating ghost town located in Dakota County, Minnesota. It's found within Nininger Township. A ghost town is a place where most people have left, leaving behind empty buildings or just traces of what used to be there.
The Story of Nininger
The city of Nininger was started by a man named John Nininger. He was the brother-in-law of Alexander Ramsey, who was a very important leader. Ramsey served as a governor for both the Minnesota Territory and later the state of Minnesota. John Nininger named the new city after himself.
The town of Nininger officially became a city around 1857 or 1858. John Nininger had big dreams for his city. He hoped it would even become the capital city of Minnesota!
A City's Rise and Fall
For a short time, Nininger grew quickly. By the spring of 1858, nearly 1,000 people lived there. However, the city did not continue to grow and thrive as planned. Over time, people began to move away.
The Nininger post office, which had been open for 33 years, closed in 1889. Today, there isn't much left of the original city. You can still find two special plaques. These plaques tell us about the Good Templars Hall and the home of Ignatius L. Donnelly.
Famous Resident: Ignatius Donnelly
The most well-known person who lived in Nininger was an author named Ignatius Donnelly. He was sometimes called "The Sage of Nininger." A "sage" is a wise person. Donnelly was known for his writings and ideas.
