North Loop Businessman Wrote Official City Song 70 Years Ago
By Mike Binkley, North Loop Neighborhood Association
Many people know that Creamette pasta was invented in the North Loop in 1912 by James T. Williams. His use of durum wheat allowed his elbow macaroni, with a thinner wall than most, to cook in a fraction of the time that traditional pasta did. The company’s sign is still prominent on the 1st Street building that became its first processing facility.
But fewer people know that Williams was a songwriter who composed several songs, including one adopted by the city of Minneapolis 70 years ago as the official city song. Williams wrote the lyrics and William MacPhail of the MacPhail School of Music held a contest for someone to provide the music. An Ohio woman, Alice Huber of Cleveland, won the contest.
Williams’ grandson, Robert Williams, provided the recording to the North Loop Neighborhood Association. The singer was Joseph G. Mulheran.
Here are the lyrics:
Within your city walls.
and Minnehaha Falls.
I’m proud to call you home.
For you’re home sweet home to me.
Many from a foreign land.
Makes you so great and grand.