Mapping Finnish America
by Brian Kays
Calling all Finns and friends of Finnish America!
As a Geographer and curious mind, I searched for a visual database of Finnish American places. After looking and not finding anything comprehensive, I set out in September 2022 to create an approachable map of places with Finnish connections in the United States and Canada. “Places” include city/town names, homesteads, museums, cultural institutions, churches, historic sites, and anything else with an inherent Finnish connection. I have added more places of interest over time sourced from personal travels, Finns in Minnesota (Alanen, A.), They Chose Minnesota (Riippa, T.), and DeLorme gazetteers of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan.
The goal is to compile a comprehensive collection of locations with Finnish connection in the United States and Canada. I am open to anything with a relevant connection. Now, I am calling on others to help add additional places to the map. Take some time to review the map and digest the locations currently pinned.
What is not on the map?
Road and street names – There are so many to identify, honestly, so it is daunting to find and add a listing for each.
Businesses – This is an area I lack expertise in and needs expanding. I assume that folks with Finnish last names may not be necessarily connected to the Finnish-American community. Businesses with an obvious connection are listed (e.g., Irene’s Favorite Things, Irma’s Finland House), etc.
Here are some ideas for thinking about new places to add to the map:
Did you grow up in a Finnish American community? Do you live in one now?
Do you know of a neighborhood with Finnish American history or ties to Finland?
Site of former Finnish business and/or point of interest (e.g., Työmies, Superior, Wisconsin; was workers’ news publication, now candy store)
Church congregations formed by Finns
Local museums with a high concentration of Finnish history
Food-related places that sell Finnish foods
Please share your personal knowledge of more Finnish-American places that people should know about. Leave a comment in the comment section below with the following information -
Name: (What is the place called?)
Location: (Where is it?)
Description: (Brief info of significance, if applicable)
Credit: (Your name, optional, so you can receive credit for your contribution)
Thank you for your help, in advance, and for sharing your personal knowledge of Finnish America!
Kiitos! Tack skall du ha!
-Brian