Ramsey County History – Spring 2015: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Payne Avenue: Memories of Morra, Bocce Ball, Shining Shoes, Gardens, and Swede Hollow”

Growing Up in St. Paul: Payne Avenue: Memories of Morra, Bocce Ball, Shining Shoes, Gardens, and Swede Hollow
Author: Richard A. Sherwood

The author fondly recalls his youth as a member of one of the few non-Italian, non-Catholic families living on Payne Avenue on the East Side in the 1940s. He learns from his neighbors about their way of life, their religion, and their willingness to work hard and have fun. He also recalls his awareness of young men in his neighborhood going off to fight in World War II and the souvenirs they brought back when they returned.
PDF of Sherwood article