Rocky Roots: Geology and Stone Construction in Downtown St. Paul (second edition)

The second edition of Rocky Roots is a guide to the use of stone in downtown St. Paul’s architecture. It can be a flexible and useful guide to several different walking tours that will enrich a pedestrian’s stroll through town. It uses text, photos, and maps as a guide to the use of ornamental stone, particularly stone quarried in Minnesota. Readers will see the city with new eyes and new appreciation.

A favorite of local teachers, students, geologists, and those who are interested in the architecture of downtown St. Paul buildings, the first edition of Rocky Roots came out in 1978. It was written by dedicated science educator named Sister Joan Kain. Over the past thirty years, some buildings that are discussed in that first edition have been torn down and a number of noteworthy new buildings that use ornamental stone have been erected. The new edition updates and expands Rocky Roots to reflect these changes in the city’s built landscape and provides maps showing the city’s current street layout.

Paul D. Nelson, a noted local historian and author, prepared the second edition under the auspices of Sr. Joan Kain and Ramsey County Historical Society. The new book retains the spirit and intent of the original, while replacing many of the first edition’s black and white photos with photos in full color. In addition, Nelson expanded the book’s coverage of the uses of ornamental stone to the interiors of many of the city’s public buildings.

Softcover. Member Price: $15.00; Non-Member Price: $16.00.

Order books here.