A Time Travel Through Dinkytown
Artwork: Lysander Colindres
Breaking news: a business student realizes that history is cool! My curiosity for the history of Dinkytown was piqued when I noticed the new McDonalds sign put up on the corner of 4th Street SE and 15th Avenue. As I pictured myself getting my hands on a 12-piece chicken McNugget meal with a crisp Diet Coke, I was struck by the iconic legacy of the Dinkytown McDonalds and needed to know more. One Google search later, I was captured by the rich history of the block I walk through every day. Who knew Dinkytown was more than boba shops and Target?! After braving the jumpscare that vintage Goldy the Gopher was, I found myself sucked into the rich history of the glow-up of the endearingly-named Dinkytown. Despite all the changes that Dinkytown has experienced, the history of the student hub shines through to this day.
Dinkytown McDonalds lives to see another Friday night
Original Dinkytown McDonalds in 1971. Source: Hennepin County Library
Sixty years ago, Dinkytown McDonalds opened its doors to the students of the University of Minnesota. The restaurant was a great place for students to grab a quick and cheap meal during their busy days. When it opened, a hamburger cost a whopping 15 cents. Add on fries and Coke, and the bill was up to 35 cents.
Renovated Dinkytown McDonalds in 2019
Ten years after its opening, it was renovated to the, dare I say, legendary; Dinkytown McDonalds. While I never personally visited this McDonalds, I have heard stories of this iconic spot for students taking advantage of their late-night hours on the weekends. My older sister, who graduated from University of Minnesota in 2021, says that it was part of the Dinkytown culture, a place where strangers became friends and many memories were made. In December of 2020, to the devastation of students and alumni alike, the bright red building closed its doors with no promise to return.
New Dinkytown McDonalds in October 2023
When the new apartment complex’s construction was finished and an empty retail space sat in the same location as the old McDonalds, rumors were stirring of the restaurant reopening. When the sign went up. and it was made official, students were excited. It even created some buzz on social media. @Gopherchicks on TikTok said it best: “Peace is restored.”
The Bus Stop That Outlived the Dinkytown McDonalds
Left: 4th St SE & 14th Avenue SE Bus Stop in 1970. Source: UMN Libraries Continuum
Right: 4th St SE & 14th Avenue SE Bus Stop in 2023
In my deep-dive of the history of Dinkytown, I stumbled on a picture of students standing at the 123 bus stop. The stores lining the intersection of 4th Street SE and 14th Ave were completely different, but that wasn’t the only thing I noticed. I was first drawn to it because it is the same location as the bus stop for the 4th street circulator, then I noticed the fashion. I immediately found myself doubting my athleisure and wishing I looked as cool as the students did 50 years ago. The flare pants, mullets and mod coats are giving me life. It’s interesting to see what elements of their outfits are making appearances into the fashion of college students today. If I could go back and talk to them, I would definitely encourage the use of backpacks because what would we do without Backpacks.
The takeaway
I am excited for the resurrection of the Dinkytown McDonald’s partly for the affordable and usually edible, sometimes delicious food. But mostly to experience the tradition that University of Minnesota students have enjoyed for decades. I am also grateful that this deep dive has let me realize that tradition can hide in simple places like a bus stop. Next time you are walking through Dinkytown, I encourage you to be curious about what Dinkytown has been and what it will become in the future. If you would also like to go down a procrastination rabbit hole of Dinkytown history you can find lots of information at Preserve Historic Dinkytown, or explore Hennepin County Library Digital Collections map to pinpoint snapshots of history.