The 1990's
Rekindling the Fire in Cold Times
The hiding places of the 90s showed a certain respect for the avid hunter, with Conway Park factoring into digging efforts for the first time in hunt history and Cherokee Park turning up twice in the same decade. The hunt, as a whole, enjoyed renewed interest through cellular and Internet technology, and with an upgrade in prize money. With prior trouble in suburban locales, the medallion remained in St. Paul proper. In this case, shrinking the area of influence might have helped the greater cause: fun.
| Year | General Location | Pinpointed location | How it was concealed |
| 2000s | |||
| 1999 | Conway Park | Across the street from 459 Ruth St. in the Northwest corner of the park | Inside a crocheted pouch |
| 1998 | Cherokee Park | Near the woods at the south end of the park | Inside an "Old Navy" brand sock |
| 1997 | Como Park | Across Estabrook Drive from the frog pond, in a stand of 27 trees | Wrapped in a bandana stuffed in a Curad bandage box |
| 1996 | Harriet Island Park | Near the picnic shelter | Inside a Skoal Tobacco Container |
| 1995 | Battle Creek Park | Near the picnic shelter on Winthrop St. | Wrapped in a knit yarn pouch |
| 1994 | Highland Park | Near the Police Station | Inside a wooden box |
| 1993 | Hidden Falls Park | Between the bike path and the entrance road downhill from the North entrance | Concealed in a baby diaper |
| 1992 | Cherokee Park | Near the bend in Cherokee Ave. as it makes its way towards Smith. Ave. | Hidden in a White Mitten |
| 1991 | Langford Park | Near the intersercion of Knapp Pl. and Knapp St. | Inside a Hostess Sno-Ball |
| 1990 | Como Park | Pointed at by the torpedo monument | In a clump of clay and grass |
| 1980s | |||
During the 1990’s, the St Paul Pioneer Press opened online discussion forums. These forums were called Water Coolers. The forums had discussion topics related to sports, politics, news, and current events. Each year, the Pioneer Planet – the online section of the Pioneer Press – opened a discussion forum as a media for hunters to discuss the clues for the Winter Carnival Medallion Hunt.
During the earlier years, one might find a few hundred posts during the hunt. As more hunters had computers, those numbers jumped. From 1997 to 1998, the number of posts increased from the hundreds to the 5-digit thousands. It was during the 1998 hunt the Cooler Crew was born.
The community spirit and teamwork displayed in the Pioneer Press Medallion Hunt thread was inspiring. The group of hunters found themselves at the end of a hunt not wanting to let go of new friendships and the camaraderie found on the Water Cooler board. The idea emerged to do what anyone would do in the middle of winter in Minnesota. A picnic in Cherokee was planned - the first Rehash Bash!
