Austin, MN

What fun—two cities in different states with the same name! While writing about our visit to Austin, TX, I remembered that there was an Austin here at home. On the spur of the moment, I took a day trip to Austin, MN, population 26,000, about 100 miles south of the Twin Cities. Named for Austin R. Nichols, the area’s first European settler, who built a log cabin here in 1853, Austin is the seat of Mower County. It is the birthplace of golfer Tom Lehman and football legend John Madden, but is more famous as the headquarters of Hormel Foods, maker of SPAM, Dinty Moore beef stew and other global brands. George Hormel opened a butcher shop here in 1891, which grew into the Fortune 500 company that it is today. Map Link: Austin, MN

My first stop in town was the SPAM Museum, a free, interactive exhibit dedicated to Hormel’s unique and timeless meat product. Introduced in 1937, sales and popularity skyrocketed during World War II, when it was included in Allied military rations and shipped worldwide at a rate of 15 million cans per week. Its shelf stability and high calorie content proved useful during the war—Nikita Kruschev even wrote in his memoir that “without SPAM, we wouldn’t have been able to feed our army.”

The brand received a publicity boost from the 1970 Monty Python’s Flying Circus skit, set in a greasy spoon diner, complete with chanting Vikings. Fun fact: This skit is typically cited as the reason unwanted, junk e-mail is referred to as “spam” (Hormel loved the Monty Python bit, but wasn’t thrilled about the e-mail label). Follow the link if you’ve never seen it, or want to watch it again (and again): YouTube: Monty Python SPAM skit.

Take our SPAM Quiz! (answers at end of post)

Question 1: Where did the name SPAM come from?

A. It’s a made-up word

B. Specialty Processed Army Meat

C. Spiced Ham

D. Shoulder Pork and Ham

E. Something Posing as Meat

Question 2: Which U.S. state consumes the most SPAM?

A. Florida

B. Hawaii

C. California

D. New York

E. Minnesota

Question 3: There are currently 13 varieties of SPAM available. Which of the following is NOT a SPAM flavor?

A. Prawn

B. Teriyaki

C. Jalapeno

D. Korean BBQ

E. None of the above; they are all current flavors

Question 4: Which of the following is NOT a discontinued SPAM flavor?

A. Chorizo

B. Pumpkin Spice

C. Figgy Pudding

D. Stinky French Garlic

E. None of the above; all were past flavors

After the SPAM Museum, I checked out the Historic Hormel House, built in 1871 and home to the family of George Hormel from 1901 until 1927, when George retired and moved to California. Next were the Mower County Fairgrounds and Historical Museum—the buildings were closed, but grounds were open for walking around. Then it was off to the Jay C. Hormel Nature Center, a 500-acre restored prairie and woodlands, with an informative visitors center and excellent trail system. Jay Hormel succeeded his father George as head of the company, ran it until his death in 1954 and was responsible for the successful launches of SPAM, Hormel chili and Dinty Moore beef stew. 

Following a short hike, I did a drive-by of the Hormel Foods factory and the Hormel Institute cancer research center, which is partnered with the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic. Then it was then back home after an interesting local day trip.

Historic Hormel Home

Buffy the Cow, Mower County Fairgrounds

Little Wayside Prayer Chapel, Mower County
Historical Society

Jay C. Hormel Nature Center

Dobbins Creek, Hormel Nature Center

Hormel Foods, then…

…and now.

Question 1 Answer: C—Hormel held a naming contest among its employees with a $100 prize. SPAM was selected from the portmanteau of Spiced Ham.

Question 2 Answer: B—At 8+ million cans per year, Hawaii is the #1 SPAM consuming state. The territory of Guam is the winner on a per capita basis. 

Question 3 Answer: A—there is no Prawn flavor. Current SPAM offerings are: Classic, Lite, Less Sodium, Gochujang, Korean BBQ, Maple, Bacon, Turkey, Hickory Smoke, Teriyaki, Jalapeno, Tocino and Hot & Spicy. Gochujang and Tocino were created for the Korean and Philippines markets, respectively.

Question 4 Answer: E—all were past flavors. Discontinued SPAM varieties include: Chorizo, Black Pepper, Portuguese Sausage, Garlic, Stinky French Garlic, Golden Honey Grail, Figgy Pudding, Pumpkin Spice, Maui Snow, Boricua and Kimchi. Stinky French Garlic and Golden Honey Grail were limited edition flavors released to promote Monty Python’s SPAMALOT musical.