Welcome to The Corner Bar

As downtown Minneapolis began to thrive in the early 1900's, so did many of the nearby areas. One of the most famous is the Seven Corners area

Legend has it that there were seven businesses that sat at the convergence of the now famous Seven Corners, and all were owned by retired workers of the Milwaukee Railroad. These businessmen were known as the Seven Switchmen. After being a part of the Seven Corners community for awhile, the Switchmen began their own business association and began donating money to churches, schools and other various community organizations The residents of, and visitors to Seven Corners, adored and admired the Switchmen for their fervent generosity.

When the last Switchman, a hat maker, died in the early 1930's, his eldest son began cleaning out a vast storage space in the basement of the haberdashery (where The Corner Bar stands today). After throwing out numerous boxes of fabrics and unsold hats, the son came upon a door to, presumably, another storage room. The door was locked, but the son had his father's key ring, and on it was a long, rusted key that fit the lock perfectly. Upon opening the door, to the son's surprise, sat pile after pile of money. Befuddled, the son decided to report the found money to the authorities.

After a thorough investigation, the police discovered that the money was reported stolen during transport to the Minneapolis Federal Reserve in 1894! at that time, any federal, gold, and money was transported via boat or train and then shipped through tunnels to the Reserve. As the case unfurled similiar storage rooms full of money were found at the other six businesses. Apparently the Seven Switchmen had robbed the train and retired shortly after securing the money. Thay had never told anyone, not even their wives, about their dark secret. Had it not been for the hat maker's son, who knows how long the money would have stayed hidden?

Today, at The Corner Bar, we celebrate the generous qualities on which our neighborhood was founded. Yet we don't mind celebrating some of our roguish qualities as well!