Revisiting the Streetcar Doubleheaders
When the streetcar network first criss‑crossed the Twin Cities, fans could hop from one ballpark to another on a single ride, catching doubleheaders of the St. Paul Saints and the Minneapolis Millers on holidays such as Decoration Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. The tradition, which peaked in the 1920s, turned a simple baseball outing into a communal event that blended sport, transit and local culture.
The Saints and Millers were minor‑league clubs that called the Twin Cities home from 1905 until 1956. Their games were staged at Lexington Park, where the Saints played near what is now an Aldi store, and at the more famous Nicollet Park for the Millers. The Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company operated streetcar lines that linked these venues, allowing spectators to travel between the two parks without leaving the system.
In the spring of 2024 I set out to recreate that experience using the modern Green Line light rail, which follows a corridor close to the old Interurban route. Partnering with friends, we purchased GoTo Cards, boarded the line at Union Station and rode to the stops that now sit beside Target Field and CHS Field, the contemporary homes of the Saints and the Millers. The journey felt like a living museum, a reminder that the same tracks once carried cheering crowds to the same holidays.
Our first doubleheader paired a Twins versus Chicago Cubs game with a Saints versus Iowa Cubs matchup. The Cubs edged a 8‑1 victory, while the Saints answered with a 2‑1 win, both games punctuated by the smell of sausages, mini donuts and a full Chicago‑dog buffet that we shared at the ballparks. The simple pleasures of the ballpark snack bar, combined with the rhythmic clatter of the train, evoked the atmosphere of a bygone era.
The revival is not merely nostalgic; it is also a celebration of the region’s evolving identity. The Saints returned to St. Paul in 1993, and the construction of Target Field in 2010, alongside the opening of CHS Field in 2014, created a new infrastructure that mirrors the old streetcar connections. Today, the Green Line and these ballparks enable a ‘light‑rail doubleheader’ that is both a tribute and a fresh experience for a new generation of fans.
For those interested in joining, the schedule of upcoming Streetcar Double Headers is published each season, with dates aligned to historic holidays and special events. Whether you are a lifelong baseball aficionado or a curious traveler, the modern doubleheader offers a unique way to explore the Twin Cities’ past and present in a single ride.