From the rolling hills of Spring Valley, Minnesota, to the halls of political power, Thomas Frankson built a life as bold as the era he lived in. Known as both a statesman and private zoo keeper, Frankson carved out a reputation that blended frontier enterprise, public leadership, and spectacle.

In this episode, we trace Frankson’s journey from rural roots and agricultural ambition to his rise in Minnesota politics — where newspaper headlines praised his oratory, his campaign energy, and his influence across Fillmore County and beyond. We explore his public appearances in Spring Valley and Lanesboro, his role in shaping state policy, and the remarkable legacy of his buffalo herd — a story that even connects to the history of Como Zoo.

Through period newspaper accounts, historical essays, and archival sources, this episode unpacks the myth, the man, and the memory of one of Spring Valley’s most fascinating figures — revealing how leadership, legend, and local pride converged in a single life.

Sources

• RCHS Summer 2010 — Bergerson (PDF)

• “The Wild Legacy of Thomas Frankson”

• Thomas Frankson — Wikipedia

• Minnesota Historical Society — Thomas Frankson Biography

• Thomas Frankson Newspaper Articles Transcription (MNHS archives)