Inside the Failed, Domed 'Minnesota Experimental City'
Local residents and legislators opposed the 250,000-person project, and House members later voted 51% against state funding.
- In the early 1970s, Greater Minnesota residents learned parts of their counties were selected as potential sites for an "experimental city." The project, brainchild of former University of Minnesota Dean of Technology Athlestan Spilhaus, immediately faced widespread disapproval.
- The Minnesota Experimental City Authority envisioned a free-standing community, explicitly "not a suburb," to house approximately 250,000 people on 74,000 acres. Officials aimed to demonstrate new ecological balance techniques over 15-20 years.
- A straw ballot of 329 votes resulted in 245 against the project, while more than 100 people gathered in Brandon in January 1973 to protest, chanting, "We don't want no MXC."
- State Rep Calvin Larson released legislative poll results in February showing 51% of 134 House members opposed funding the project. Larson charged Gov Wendell Anderson with "ignoring public concern with this vital issue."
- Although the Minnesota Experimental City Authority voted 7-2 in favor of an Aitkin County site, local opposition persisted. Public pressure and legislative resistance proved insurmountable, and the project was ultimately shelved.
19 Articles
19 Articles
Pine Journal
Inside the failed, domed 'Minnesota Experimental City'
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Minn. — In the early 1970s, some Greater Minnesota residents were surprised to learn that part of their county was selected as the possible site of an "experimental city." Most of them were not happy about it. The city was the brainchild of Athlestan Spilhaus, former Dean of Technology with the University of Minnesota, who hoped part of the completed city would be located under a geodesic dome. The venture began making waves in N…
Inside the failed 'Minnesota Experimental City'
DOUGLAS COUNTY — In the early 1970s, Douglas County residents were surprised to learn that part of their county was selected as the possible site of an "experimental city." Most of them were not happy about it. The city was the brainchild of Athlestan Spilhaus, former Dean of Technology with the University of Minnesota, who hoped part of the completed city would be located under a geodesic dome. The venture began making waves in November 1972 wi…
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