1. Land of 10,000 Lakes - Depending on one's definition of a lake, technically there are 11,842 lakes that are 10 acres or more.
2. The North Star State - “L'Etoile du Nord” or “The Star of North” is the state motto of Minnesota. The nicknmae became The North Star State. 
To provide money to build railroads in the state, the new Minnesota Legislature introduced the “Five Million Loan” bill.