Curious Minnesota

Listen: What happened to Minneapolis’ famous Weatherball?

The Curious Minnesota podcast discusses the landmark that dominated Minneapolis’ skyline for part of the 20th century.

By Eric Roper

The Minnesota Star Tribune
March 24, 2023 at 3:14PM
The Weatherball glowed atop downtown Minneapolis’ Northwestern National Bank building in 1950. The light changed color to reflect the forecast. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

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Many Minnesotans today grew up when the Weatherball was one of the most prominent landmarks of Minneapolis' skyline. The massive sign stood atop the Northwestern National Bank building between 1949 and 1983.

John Reinan joined host Eric Roper on the Curious Minnesota podcast to discuss where this well-known Twin Cities artifact ended up — and its history in downtown.

Further reading:

What happened to Minneapolis' famous Weatherball? (January 2023 Curious Minnesota article)

about the writer

about the writer

Eric Roper

Curious Minnesota Editor

Eric Roper oversees Curious Minnesota, the Star Tribune's community reporting project fueled by great reader questions. He also hosts the Curious Minnesota podcast. 

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