From 1873 to 1877, grasshoppers destroyed vast amounts of Minnesota farmland. These grasshoppers, also known as locusts, "plagues" led many farmers to apply for relief to local and state governments. While slow to respond to the crisis, agencies throughout the state received pleas to help relieve the economic and food burdens resulting from the grasshopper infestation.
Many collections at the Minnesota Historical Society document the destruction and pleas for assistance from residents throughout the state.
Harvest of Grief: Grasshopper Plagues and Public Assistance in Minnesota, 1873-78, by Annette Atkins.
Book providing an overview of the grasshopper plagues, destruction, and assistance provided to Minnesota farmers.
St. Paul : Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1984.
MNHS Call Number: Reading Room HD1775.M6 A85 1984, also available for purchase.
The Grasshopper, or Rocky Mountain Locust, and its Ravages in Minnesota: a Special Report to the Hon. C.K. Davis, Governor of Minnesota.
Official report to the Governor describing the severity of the grasshopper plagues in Minnesota.
MNHS call number: SB945 .L8 M6
The Minnesota Legislator and the Grasshopper, 1873-77, by Walter Trenerry.
In Minnesota History, vol. 36, no. 2 (1958): pp. 54-61
MNHS call number: Online copy
Grasshopper Land, by Margaret W. Morley
An overview of grasshoppers written for young adults. Includes a chapter on the Rocky Mountain Locust and its destruction in the United States.
Chicago, A.C. McClurg & Co., 1907.
MNHS call number: SB945 .L8 M8
John R. Cummins Papers, 1835-1931
Diaries of an Eden Prarie-based farmer, scientist, and traveler. Diary entries contain information on multiple grasshopper plagues from 1857-1880.
MNHS Call Number: Digital Finding Aid
Minnesota Executive Council, Grasshopper Control Records, 1931-1945
Reports, correspondence, and financial records reflecting the Executive Council’s role in financing efforts during the 1930s and early 1940s to control grasshopper predation on field crops.
MNHS call number: See finding aid in the library (State Archives Notebooks: Executive Council)
Lyon County Board of County Commissioners, Meeting Files, 1870-1918
These meeting files include statements of grasshopper damage (1874-1876) in Lyon County.
MNHS Call Number: See finding aid in the library (State Archives Notebooks: Lyon County)
Records of Governor Horace Austin, 1869-1879
Official records of Governor Austin in the Minnesota State Archives includes files on relief for people affected by the grasshopper plague and by the snowstorm of January, 1873.
MNHS Call Number: Digital Finding Aid
Records of Governor Cushman K. Davis, 1874-1882
Assorted files from Governor Davis, included documents related to grasshopper relief and seed grain assistance.
MNHS Call Number: Digital Finding Aid
Records of Governor John S. Pillsbury, 1875-1891 (bulk 1876-1882)
Official records of Governor Pillsbury, including files related to grasshopper relief and seed grain assistance.
MNHS Call Number: Digital Finding Aid
Minnesota State Entomologist, Records 1895-1975
Correspondence, reports, circulars, and miscellany regarding the activities of the State Entomologist, including grasshopper control.
MNHS call number: 107.K.11.8F
Many personal papers or letters in the Minnesota Historical Society manuscripts collections mention or describe the grasshopper plagues. While these descriptions are brief, they do help paint a vivid picture of the hardships of the time. Collections with such mentions include:
Becker County
William Pollard Letters and Genealogical Charts, 1873-1880, 1888
MNHS call number: P2050
Martin County
Reminiscences of Arthur Reginald Moro
MNHS call number: P939
Polk County
Reminiscences and Memoranda, by Barnum, George Granville, 1843-1936.
MNHS call number: P939
Rock County
Diary of Jane Grout and Data on the Grout Family, 1861, 1873, 1927
MNHS call number: P939
Scott County
Newton Southworth and Family Papers, 1852-1917
MNHS call number: See finding aid in the library (Manuscripts notebooks: A/.S728)
Sherburne County
Memoirs of a Grandmother Eighty Three Years Old, 1930
MNHS call number: P939
Stevens County
Minnesota: Ox-Cart to Airplane, undated
MNHS call number: P939
White Earth Reservation
J. J. Enmegahbowh Letters to Samuel Hollingsworth, 1870-1879
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
Miscellaneous Locations
The Farmer Collection of Reminiscences, 1949, 1958
MNHS call number: See finding aid in the library (P2081)
George W. Smith Letters, 1857-1858
MNHS call number: P2179
Ole Nilsen, the Younger, and Family Papers, 1857-1933
MNHS call number: Digital Finding Aid
Search for images related to grasshopper plagues at MNHS through our Collections Online database. Enter your search terms, then filter the results using the options in the system's left-hand column.
You may want to try specific terms like:
Gale Family Library
Minnesota Historical Society Library
Located on the Second Floor of the Minnesota History Center
345 West Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102
Library Hours:
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Sunday to Wednesday: Closed
More Information on Visiting the Library
Contact Us:
651-259-3300
