Minnie Walden, a “pretty blonde of 18,” became the first woman to win a bicycle race in the United States. The one mile race through North St. Louis garnered two prizes, a sweater and a diamond ring.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.