Catalog
Ramsey County History – Summer 2001: “Preservation before Preservationists: The Beginnings of Preservation in St. Paul”
Charles W. NelsonPreservation before Preservationists: The Beginnings of Preservation in St. Paul Author: Charles W. Nelson Charles Nelson traces the early efforts to preserve historic buildings in St. Paul, citing the restoration of homes in the Irvine Park Historic District, Old Town Restoration, the portion of Summit Avenue running from the Cathedral…
Ramsey County History – Spring 2001: “Growing Up In St Paul: All For Under $11,000; ‘Add-Ons,’ ‘Deductions’—The Growing Pains of Two ‘Queen Annes’”
Robert GarlandGrowing Up In St Paul: All For Under $11,000; ‘Add-Ons,’ ‘Deductions’—The Growing Pains of Two ‘Queen Annes’ Author: Robert Garland A delightful account of “growing up” in two houses side-by-side on St. Paul’s upscale Fairmount Avenue in the Crocus Hill neighborhood. Included are fascinating details of the design and construction…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2001: “The Practical Millionaire: James J. Hill and His Oriental Rugs”
Lou Ann MatossianThe Practical Millionaire: James J. Hill and His Oriental Rugs Author: Lou Ann Matossian When Mary Hill died in 1921, her estate included 116 oriental rugs used to furnish the Hills’ Summit Avenue mansion. James J. Hill’s obsessive record-keeping has permitted a considerable, though incomplete, summary of the collection, including…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2000: “Architect to the Kings of the Carnivals: ‘Cap’ Wigington and His Ice Palace ‘Babies’”
Bob OlsenArchitect to the Kings of the Carnivals: ‘Cap’ Wigington and His Ice Palace ‘Babies’ Author: Bob Olsen A chronicle of Clarence W. “Cap” Wigington’s designs for the St. Paul Ice Palaces of the 1930s and ‘40s. Financed by the US Works Progress Administration during the years of the Great…
Ramsey County History — Winter 2000: “A Water Tower, a Pavilion and Three National Historic Sites: Clarence Wigington and the Architectural Legacy He Left to the People of St. Paul”
David Vassar TaylorA Water Tower, a Pavilion and Three National Historic Sites: Clarence Wigington and the Architectural Legacy He Left to the People of St. Paul Author: David V. Taylor Clarence Wesley “Cap” Wigington was the first licensed African-American architect in Minnesota, whose career with the City of Saint Paul extended for…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1997: “Life in 1937’s ‘Home of Tomorrow’”
Brian McMahonLife in 1937’s ‘Home of Tomorrow’ Author: Brian McMahon The Cemstone Corporation, founded in St. Paul, built an all-concrete demonstration house in 1937 at 1345 East Minnehaha. This very short article (less than a full page) tells its story. PDF of McMahon article…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1997: “
Demian J. HessThe Last of its Kind in Minnesota: The Old Wabasha Bridge and How it Linked East to West Author: Demian J. Hess The current Wabasha Street Bridge is the third at that location. This article tells the story of the first two bridges (built in 1859 and 1888–89, respectively), their…
Ramsey County History – Winter 1997: “Rats, Politicians, Librarians: The Untold Stories of the Old St. Francis Hotel and the Rich Historical Legacy of Seventh Place”
Paul R. GoldRats, Politicians, Librarians: The Untold Stories of the Old St. Francis Hotel and the Rich Historical Legacy of Seventh Place Author: Paul R. Gold Seventh Place—old West Seventh Street between Wabasha and St. Peter—has been many things over the years. It was Vetal Guerin’s farmland, the site of the first…
Ramsey County History – Winter 1997: “What’s Historic About This Site? The Saint Paul Building and Its 108-Year History”
Deanne Zibell WeberWhat’s Historic About This Site? The Saint Paul Building and Its 108-Year History Author: Deanne Zibell Weber Built in 1889 as the Germania Bank Buidling, the red sandstone structure at Fourth and Wabasha remains one of downtown’s finest buildings. This article traces its creation and subsequent uses. PDF…