Ep. 19 - Why is Anoka is the Halloween Capital of the World?
Updated: 5 days ago
In the early 20th century, people across the country spent Halloween night cowering in terror, not from witches and ghosts and ghouls, but from roving bands of delinquent youth committing ever-more destructive and dangerous pranks. The town of Anoka, Minnesota, was no exception: buildings were burned down, windows shattered, outhouses tipped over, wagons were lifted onto rooftops, and a herd of cows led into downtown businesses.
But in 1920, Anoka's civic and business leaders decided to deal with this menace in a novel fashion: by becoming the first city in the United States to put on an official Halloween celebration and to promote a new trend called "trick or treating." Ever since, the town of Anoka has proudly promoted itself as "Halloween Capital of the World"— a title even affirmed by an official act of Congress.
Join us as we explore the complicated history of Halloween, and learn how this small Minnesota town helped transform it from a wanton spree of chaos and destruction into the fun and spooky holiday we know today.
Related Images
One source we referenced was the The Book of Hallowe'en by Ruth Edna Kelley.
Published in 1919, this was one of the first books written covering the history of Halloween, and it also included many recommendations on Halloween activities and on hosting Halloween parties. Here are a couple images from that book:
The first commercial Halloween products that seem to have been sold were party decorations, aimed at the sorts of middle and upper-class affairs the Kelley was writing about. Here's an ad for such decorations from 1913:
Here is a photo from a 1928 newspaper of the crowds at Anoka's eighth annual Halloween parade:
You can see more historic photos on the official Anoka Halloween site here.
Sources Cited
Newspapers Articles (in chronological order):
“Hallowe’en,” Minneapolis Tribune, 10/31/1895, page 7.“
Halloween Pranks,” Minneapolis Tribune, 11/01/1897, page 5.
“Allhallow’s Night,” Saint Paul Globe, 10/31/1898, page 10.
“Squelch Halloween Vandals,” Minneapolis Journal, 10/30/1900, page 6.
“Hallowe’en Parties,” Minneapolis Tribune, 11/01/1908, page 20.
“Tick-Tack Time Draws Near and Witch’s Screech Will Sound in Halloween Gaiety,” Minneapolis Journal, 10/29/1913, page 17.
“Killed by Halloween Celebration,” The Alden Advance, 11/12/1914, page 5.
“There’ll Be Some Hallowe’en, Take It From Anoka,” Minneapolis Journal, 10/28/1921, page 21.
“Anoka Celebrates Its Greatest Halloween With Andy Gump as Distinguished Visitor,” Minneapolis Journal, 11/01/1924, page 1.
“Elfs and Witches Roam Anoka at Halloween Fete,” Minneapolis Journal, 11/01/1928, page 17.
“Anoka, ‘Halloween Capital,’ Plans 20th Safe Festival,” Minneapolis Journal, 10/23/1938, page 5.
“Halloween Funfests Lower Vandalism Throughout City,” Minneapolis Times, 11/01/1939, page 10.
“Police Use Gas to Rout Halloween Rioters,” Minneapolis Times, 11/01/1939, page 10.
Other Sources:
Anoka Halloween, Inc. “Anoka Halloween 100th Anniversary: 1920-2020.” (Anoka: Anoka Historical Society, 2020).
Anoka Halloween, Inc. “Anoka Halloween,”
Kelley, Ruth Edna. The Book of Hallowe-en. (Boston: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard, 1919). Accessed through the Internet Archive:
Nalewicki, Jennifer. “What Makes This Minnesota Town the Halloween Capital of the World?” Smithsonian Magazine, 10/25/2019.
Podcast Credits
Minnesota Unknown is produced, hosted, written, and researched by Alex Weston, Hannah Norton, and Josie Bergmann. This episode was edited by Alex Weston. Our theme song is by Union Shakedown. This episode is copyright 2026 by Minnesota Unknown, LLC. All rights reserved.
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