Ramsey County History – Spring 1979: “A Grandson Describes: The O’Briens’ House on George Street”

A Grandson Describes: The O’Briens’ House on George Street
Author: George A. Rea

The author remembers his grandparents, Patrick and Fannie O’Brien, and their big house (still standing) at 255 George Street. Initially they lived on Irvine Park, but grandfather “decided to move the day a neighbor’s bantam chickens got into his garden and ate his newly sprouted vegetables.” The new house, completed in 1890, had everything a fine home of the time should have. Grandfather worked seven days a week. Grandmother, with the help of servants, ran the house and family. For amusement they read, participated in literary groups, Bible study, and fraternal organizations, and attended performances at the Metropolitan Opera House. Horse-drawn buggies were the usual means of transportation and cutter sleds and sleighs were used in the winter. Both grandparents lived nearly 90 years.
PDF of Rea article