Bloomington Yesterday Minnie (Ellingson)Tapping

Minnie Tapping was a well-known writer and community leader in Bloomington. She was admired for her poetry, love of nature and work in the community.

Born in 1860, Tapping grew up on a farm in Bloomington, where her family settled shortly after arriving in the area. After her father passed away, her mother remarried Sever Ellingson. Minnie was active in local organizations and helped shape Bloomington’s community life.

At age 60, Tapping made headlines by enrolling at the University of Minnesota with her two children, Mendon and Regina. Her bold decision to return to school at an age when most would retire challenged expectations and showed that growth and education have no age limit.

Tapping’s personal life included her marriage to E.A. Tapping. The couple met at a Christian Endeavor meeting in London in 1901. After their return to Minnesota, E.A. Tapping would often ride his bicycle 16 miles from Minneapolis to court Minnie at the family farm.

Minnie Tapping’s legacy is remembered in Bloomington for her writing, contributions to the community and kindness to her neighbors and family. Her book, Eighty Years at the Gopher Hole is available from the Hennepin County Library for those who wish to read it.

Photo and all content are from the Bloomington Historical Society.

Bloomington History 101

Learn essential Bloomington History in just 15 minutes on April 26, at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m., at the Bloomington Historical Society, 10200 Penn Ave. S. The presentation will cover the major points of Bloomington history, what every history-savvy local resident should know. Learn more about the Bloomington Historical Society at bloomingtonhistoricalsociety.org.