Longfellow Boom: Difference between revisions

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[[File:MinneapolisLongfellowCommunity.PNG|thumb|The Longfellow community of Minneapolis]]

[[File:MinneapolisLongfellowCommunity.PNG|thumb|The Longfellow community of Minneapolis]]

The ”’Longfellow Boom”’ is a loud and unexplained phenomenon reported in the [[Longfellow, Minneapolis|Longfellow]] community of [[Minneapolis]], Minnesota.<ref name=Snow-2022>{{cite news |last1=Snow |first1=Jasmine |title=Source Elusive for ‘Longfellow Boom’ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-source-elusive-for-longfel/186834994/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=July 24, 2022 |pages=B5}}</ref> The booms reportedly generally take place on summer nights, and have been described by residents as “house-shakingly loud” and at lower tone, distinct from a car crash or gunshot.<ref name=Snow-2022/><ref name=Evers-2010/>

The ”’Longfellow Boom”’ is a loud and unexplained phenomenon reported in the [[Longfellow, Minneapolis|Longfellow]] community of [[Minneapolis]], Minnesota.<ref name=Snow-2022>{{cite news |last1=Snow |first1=Jasmine |title=Source Elusive for ‘Longfellow Boom’ |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-source-elusive-for-longfel/186834994/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=July 24, 2022 |=B5}}</ref> The booms reportedly generally take place on summer nights, and have been described by residents as “house-shakingly loud” and at lower tone, distinct from a car crash or gunshot.<ref name=Snow-2022/><ref name=Evers-2010/>

While the phenomenon has been discussed for several decades,<ref name=Snow-2022/> a number of explosions in South Minneapolis began to be reported to [[Minneapolis Police Department|Minneapolis police]] in the mid-2000s.<ref name=Von-2009/> Many were attributed to fireworks; however, in 2010, the [[Third precinct police station (Minneapolis)|Third Precinct]] stated that while fireworks and exploding [[electrical transformer]]s could account for half of the noises, the others were unexplainable.<ref name=Von-2009/> Originally discussing the phenomenon on the forum {{nowrap|E-Democracy.org}},<ref name=Evers-2010>{{cite news |last1=Evers |first1=Tom |title=Things that go boom in the night |url=https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/things-go-boom-night/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Twin Cities Daily Planet |date=June 1, 2010}}</ref> locals continue analyzing the topic on Twitter, Reddit, and NextDoor.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

While the phenomenon has been discussed for several decades,<ref name=Snow-2022/> a number of explosions in South Minneapolis began to be reported to [[Minneapolis Police Department|Minneapolis police]] in the mid-2000s.<ref name=Von-2009/> Many were attributed to fireworks; however, in 2010, the [[Third precinct police station (Minneapolis)|Third Precinct]] stated that while fireworks and exploding [[electrical transformer]]s could account for half of the noises, the others were unexplainable.<ref name=Von-2009/> Originally discussing the phenomenon on the forum {{nowrap|E-Democracy.org}},<ref name=Evers-2010>{{cite news |last1=Evers |first1=Tom |title=Things that go boom in the night |url=https://www.tcdailyplanet.net/things-go-boom-night/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Twin Cities Daily Planet |date=June 1, 2010}}</ref> locals continue analyzing the topic on Twitter, Reddit, and NextDoor.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

Many theories have been put forward attempting to explain the phenomenon but none have been confirmed.<ref name=Von-2009>{{cite news |last1=Von Sternberg |first1=Bob |title=South Side blasts reemerge, and not all can be explained |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-south-side-blasts-reemerge/186834881/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=February 22, 2009 |pages=B4}}</ref> Other explanations include [[Railway coupling|train cars coupling]], secret [[NORAD]] flights, or [[improvised explosive device]]s.<ref name=Tevlin-2010>{{cite news |last1=Tevlin |first1=Jon |title=Boom Busters go where police, FBI have failed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-boom-busters-go-where-polic/186834923/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=June 22, 2010 |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-boom-busters-go-where-polic/186834967/ B7]}}</ref> Another discredited theory, drawing [[FBI]] attention, was anarchists preparing for an attack on the [[2008 Republican National Convention]].<ref name=Von-2009/><ref name=Snow-2022/> Sewer issues or a [[Fault (geology)|fault line]] in the [[Mississippi River]] have also been posited, as well as extraterrestrial explanations.<ref name=Snow-2022/> The idea of an blasting to build an underground [[meth lab]] similar to in the show ”[[Better Call Saul]]” has also been proposed.<ref name=stdwytk>{{cite episode |credits= |last1=Frederick |first1=Matt |last2=Bowlin |first2=Ben |last3=Brown |first3=Noel |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Listener Mail: Mysterious Booms, Near-death Experiences, the First Amendment versus the Internet, the Enchiladasagna and More |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-they-dont-want-you-t-26941221/episode/listener-mail-mysterious-booms-near-death-experiences-308260433/ |location= |series=Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know |minutes= |time= |network=iHeart Radio |access-date=}}</ref> The neighborhood’s proximity to the Mississippi River has also drawn out suggestions that the river causes otherwise-normal sounds to echo differently.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

Many theories have been put forward attempting to explain the phenomenon but none have been confirmed.<ref name=Von-2009>{{cite news |last1=Von Sternberg |first1=Bob |title=South Side blasts reemerge, and not all can be explained |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-south-side-blasts-reemerge/186834881/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=February 22, 2009 |=B4}}</ref> Other explanations include [[Railway coupling|train cars coupling]], secret [[NORAD]] flights, or [[improvised explosive device]]s.<ref name=Tevlin-2010>{{cite news |last1=Tevlin |first1=Jon |title=Boom Busters go where police, FBI have failed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-boom-busters-go-where-polic/186834923/ |access-date=December 15, 2025 |work=Star Tribune |date=June 22, 2010 |pages=B1, [https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-boom-busters-go-where-polic/186834967/ B7]}}</ref> Another discredited theory, drawing [[FBI]] attention, was anarchists preparing for an attack on the [[2008 Republican National Convention]].<ref name=Von-2009/><ref name=Snow-2022/> Sewer issues or a [[Fault (geology)|fault line]] in the [[Mississippi River]] have also been posited, as well as extraterrestrial explanations.<ref name=Snow-2022/> The idea of an blasting to build an underground [[meth lab]] similar to in the show ”[[Better Call Saul]]” has also been proposed.<ref name=stdwytk>{{cite episode |credits= |last1=Frederick |first1=Matt |last2=Bowlin |first2=Ben |last3=Brown |first3=Noel |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Listener Mail: Mysterious Booms, Near-death Experiences, the First Amendment versus the Internet, the Enchiladasagna and More |url=https://www.iheart.com/podcast/105-stuff-they-dont-want-you-t-26941221/episode/listener-mail-mysterious-booms-near-death-experiences-308260433/ |location= |series=Stuff They Don’t Want You To Know |minutes= |time= |network=iHeart Radio |access-date=}}</ref> The neighborhood’s proximity to the Mississippi River has also drawn out suggestions that the river causes otherwise-normal sounds to echo differently.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

[[Xcel Energy]] has stated they have not found outages or equipment problems that correlate with the booms.<ref name=Snow-2022/> A project based out of [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport]] using aircraft noise sensors was also unable to ascertain the origin of the booms. Likewise, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Health Department, despite multiple investigations, have been unable to identify the cause.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

[[Xcel Energy]] has stated they have not found outages or equipment problems that correlate with the booms.<ref name=Snow-2022/> A project based out of [[Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport]] using aircraft noise sensors was also unable to ascertain the origin of the booms. Likewise, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Health Department, despite multiple investigations, have been unable to identify the cause.<ref name=Snow-2022/>

==References==

==References==

The Longfellow Boom is a loud and unexplained phenomenon reported in the Longfellow community of Minneapolis, Minnesota.^[1] The booms reportedly generally take place on summer nights, and have been described by residents as “house-shakingly loud” and at lower tone, distinct from a car crash or gunshot.^[1][2]

While the phenomenon has been discussed for several decades,^[1] a number of explosions in South Minneapolis began to be reported to Minneapolis police in the mid-2000s.^[3] Many were attributed to fireworks; however, in 2010, the Third Precinct stated that while fireworks and exploding electrical transformers could account for half of the noises, the others were unexplainable.^[3] Originally discussing the phenomenon on the forum E-Democracy.org,^[2] locals continue analyzing the topic on Twitter, Reddit, and NextDoor.^[1]

Many theories have been put forward attempting to explain the phenomenon but none have been confirmed.^[3] Other explanations include train cars coupling, secret NORAD flights, or improvised explosive devices.^[4] Another discredited theory, drawing FBI attention, was anarchists preparing for an attack on the 2008 Republican National Convention.^[3][1] Sewer issues or a fault line in the Mississippi River have also been posited, as well as extraterrestrial explanations.^[1] The idea of an blasting to build an underground meth lab similar to in the show Better Call Saul has also been proposed.^[5] The neighborhood’s proximity to the Mississippi River has also drawn out suggestions that the river causes otherwise-normal sounds to echo differently.^[1]

Xcel Energy has stated they have not found outages or equipment problems that correlate with the booms.^[1] A project based out of Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport using aircraft noise sensors was also unable to ascertain the origin of the booms. Likewise, the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Health Department, despite multiple investigations, have been unable to identify the cause.^[1]

References