Valleyfair - "Little Big League" Filming Location - Shakopee, MN

Valleyfair Amusement Park in Shakopee, Minnesota was used as a filming location in the movie "Little Big League." Above is a photo of the outside of the park in November of 2014. Below are three stills from the film.



The Hitching Post Motel - "Fargo" Filming Location - Forest Lake, MN

The Hitching Post Motel, located at 23855 Forest Blvd North in Forest Lake, Minnesota, was the hotel used at the end of the film "Fargo" when Jerry gets arrested. Above is how the motel appeared in the film. Below is the motel in November of 2014.

The police approach Jerry's room in the still above. Below is the same room in 2014.

The Lakeside Club - "Fargo" Filming Location - Mahtomedi, MN

The Lakeside Club, located at 10 Wildwood Road in Mahtomedi, Minnesota was used as a filming location in the movie "Fargo." Above is a still from the film. Below is the same location in November of 2014.

Minnesota Governor's Mansion - St. Paul, MN

Located at 1006 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, this is where every one of Minnesota's Governors reside while in office.

Griggs Mansion - St. Paul, MN

Located at 476 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, the Griggs Mansion is said to be the most haunted house in St. Paul.

Stockmen's Truck Stop - "Fargo" Filming Location - South St. Paul, MN

Stockmen's Truck Stop, located at 501 Farwell Avenue in South St. Paul, Minnesota, was used as the Blue Ox Truck Stop in the film "Fargo." Above is a still from the film. Below is how the truck stop looked in October of 2014.

1904 Mansion - Rehab Addict - St. Paul, MN

This beautiful house, located at 986 Summit Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota, was featured on season 5 of DIY Network's "Rehab Addict."

Lake William - "Beautiful Girls" Filming Location - Shorewood, MN

Lake William in Shorewood, Minnesota was used for the ice fishing/ice skating scene in the film "Beautiful Girls." Above is a still from the film showing Willie arriving at the lake. Below is the same spot in October of 2014.

The above still from the film shows the ice skating rink on the lake. Below is where the rink would have been as seen in 2014.

Jerry's Car Dealership - "Fargo" Filming Location - Richfield, MN

The car dealership Jerry worked at in the movie "Fargo" was torn down and the Best Buy Corporate Headquarters was built in its place. Above is a still from the film and below is what that same location looks like in October of 2014. You can find it at 7601 Penn Avenue South in Richfield, Minnesota.

The Moonlight Mile Bar (Interior) - "Beautiful Girls" Filming Location - Minneapolis, MN

Located at 501 Cedar Avenue in Minneapolis, the Nomad World Pub was used to shoot the interiors of the ficticious Moonlight Mile Bar in the film "Beautiful Girls." Above are two stills from the film which show the interior. Below is the Nomad World Pub in October of 2014. From what I understand, the seating booths seen above are no longer there.

King of Clubs - "Fargo" Filming Location - Minneapolis, MN

The King of Clubs bar was used as a filming location in the beginning of the film "Fargo." The bar has since been demolished and a building used to house HIV patients has been built in its place. Above are two stills from the film. Below is the same location in October of 2014. You can find it at 929 Central Avenue Northeast in Minneapolis.

Grumpy's Bar - "Joe Somebody" Filming Location - Minneapolis, MN

There are reports online that the karaoke scene in the film "Joe Somebody" was filmed at the Grumpy's Northeast location in Minneapolis. I visited that location and found it to be a false statement. With the help of the amazing Grumpy's staff, they directed me to the downtown location, which is located at 1111 Washington Avenue South. Above is a still from the film and below is the same location in October of 2014. The stage in the corner is very small, but it is there.

The above still from the film was taken from Joe's perspective from the stage. Below is the same spot standing on the stage in 2014.

The Grumpy's staff at both locations treated my like royalty. In fact, an employee working at the downtown location was an extra in the film during this scene and showed me how everything was set up for the film, including the room used as Tim Allen's dressing room. He said it was a 14-hour shoot for a scene that took up approximately three minutes in the finished film. Also, be careful when you park downtown. I managed to get a $42 parking ticket while visiting this location.

Davita Dialysis - "Fargo" Filming Location - St. Louis Park, MN

The hit film "Fargo" used an Embers restaurant for a scene during production. The restaurant has since been torn down and Davita Dialysis was built in it's place. The address is 3725 Wayzata Blvd. in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Above is a still from the film of characters Jerry and Stan exiting Embers. Below is where the restaurant would have stood, taken in October of 2014.

Jerry and Stan stop in front of the restaurant to continue their conversation. Above is a still from the movie, with I-394 behind Jerry. Below is the same spot in 2014.

The shot above with Pennsylvania Avenue South behind Stan; below in 2014.

Central Middle School - "Drop Dead Gorgeous" Filming Location - Wayzata, MN

Central Middle School in Wayzata, Minnesota was the building used for the beauty pageant in the film "Drop Dead Gorgeous." The address to the school is 305 Vicksburg lane North. I visited the school during MEA break, when I knew no students would be around. Above is a still from the film and below is how it appears in October of 2014. This is the main school entrance.

Just inside the main entrance is the lobby used for filming. Above is a still from the film; below in 2014.

If you go through the lobby and turn right down the first hallway, that is the hallway used for the girls' dressing room in the film. Above is a still from the movie and below is the same spot in 2014.

The auditorium is also in this school, as seen in the above still. A Central Middle School employee saw me walking around and taking photos and threw me off property. She wouldn't even let me see the auditorium but I did get her to admit their auditorium was used for the film.

Edina City Hall - "Fargo" Filming Location - Edina, MN

Located at 4801 W 50th Street in Edina, Minnesota, Edina City Hall was used for the interior shots of the police station in the 1996 film "Fargo." Above are two stills from the film. Below is City Hall in October of 2014. ‎

The Jacob Wetterling Abduction - St. Joseph, MN

Jacob Wetterling was an 11-year-old boy who was kidnapped on Sunday, October 11th, 1989 near his home in St. Joseph, Minnesota (which is a suburb of St. Cloud). Today marks the 25th anniversary of what has been known as one of the most infamous child abductions of all time. The case has not been solved and Jacob has not been found. This posting is to promote awareness so Jacob can perhaps someday return home. His family has never given up hope.

All of my photos below were taken in September of 2014.

The St. Joseph Veterinary Clinic, formerly known as the Tom Thumb Convenience Store, was the location Jacob was headed to rent a movie before the abduction.

This is the spot above where Jacob was abducted between his home and the store.

The image above is a shot down the street where Jacob lived. To respect their privacy, I didn't want to go directly to the Wetterling home and start snapping photos.