“Dinkytown”, now that is an interesting name…

There has been a long-winded debate and confusion over where the origin of the name “Dinkytown” originated. It has at least been in use since 1948 when the Dinkytown Business Association (DBA) was created.

In the 2006 Bob Dylan exhibit at the Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota students who researched and created the exhibit's Dinkytown portion may have found the correct answer.

Dinkytown named after a trolley?

After the talks with long-time tenants of the Dinkytown community the students discovered a recurring theme. Many people shared the same popular theory as Skott Johnson (President of the Dinkytown Business Association and owner of Autographics Printing). He believes that the name “Dinkytown” stems from the days when trolleys and rail cars were a common sight in the area. The little vehicles were referred to as “Dinkys.”

It's named Dinkytown because it's Dinky?

The students unearthed 3 other theories explaining the name “Dinkytown.” One comes from the fact that Dinkytown has always been a small, unique, and self-contained community within the city. Since it is small, the name makes sense.

Dinky seating?

Yet another theory is that there used to be a small theater made up of only four rows, as a result it was called “The Dinky.”