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Ramsey County History – Fall 2010: “Once There Was a Street Called Decatur”

Paul D. Nelson

Once There Was a Street Called Decatur Author: Paul D. Nelson This is the story of a small street, Decatur, which was perched on the western edge of Swede Hollow in the East Side of St. Paul. It had been laid out in the 1850s, but the first buildings…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2010: “‘He Had a Great Flair for the Colorful:’ Louis W. Hill and Glacier Park”

Biloine W. Young and Eileen R. McCormack

“He Had a Great Flair for the Colorful:” Louis W. Hill and Glacier Park Authors: Biloine W. Young and Eileen R. McCormack The article is an excerpt from two chapters of The Dutiful Son: Louis W. Hill; Life in the Shadow of the Empire Builder, James J. Hill, published…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2010: “‘A Rented House Is Not a Home:’ Thomas Frankson: Real Estate Promoter and Unorthodox Politician”

Roger Bergerson

“A Rented House Is Not a Home:” Thomas Frankson: Real Estate Promoter and Unorthodox Politician Author: Roger Bergerson Thomas Frankson, a real estate developer, oil land speculator, and often successful politician is no longer well known. His house near the western entrance of Como Park with its two concrete…

Ramsey County History – Spring 2010: “‘Good Grief!’ Said Charlie Brown: The Business of Death in Bygone St. Paul”

Moira F. Harris & Leo J. Harris

“Good Grief!” Said Charlie Brown: The Business of Death in Bygone St. Paul Authors: Moira F. Harris & Leo J. Harris The article outlines the views of death and funeral customs in the nineteenth century, drawing heavily on the archives of the Albert Scheffer family in St. Paul. It…

Ramsey County History – Winter 2010: “Growing Up in St. Paul: The CCC, Flying Hands, and the Armistice Day Blizzard”

Norman C. Horton Sr.

Growing Up in St. Paul: The CCC, Flying Hands, and the Armistice Day Blizzard Author: Norman C. Horton Sr. Norman Horton’s family moved to St. Paul at the onset of the Great Depression eking out an existence and moving often. After graduation from high school, Horton served in the…

The Dutiful Son: Louis W. Hill-Life in the Shadow of the Empire Builder, James J. Hill

Biloine (Billie) W. Young with Eileen R. McCormack

Author Biloine (Billie) W. Young and researcher Eileen McCormack bring to light the extraordinary life and contributions of Louis W. Hill Sr., the second son of James J. Hill. Following the death of his father, Louis took on the management of the Great Northern Railway and banking empire, became the…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2009: “Growing Up in St. Paul: The Mispacha on Texas Street”

Nathalie Chase

Growing Up in St. Paul: The Mispacha on Texas Street Author: Nathalie Chase Bernstein “Mishpacha” is the Hebrew word for family, and this article looks at the story of the author’s Jewish family from Lithuania. They came to St. Paul and, in the late 1890s, and started a scrap…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2009: “Pith, Heart, and Nerve, Truman M. Smith: Horticulture as the Way Back”

Barry L. & Joan Miller Cotter

Pith, Heart, and Nerve, Truman M. Smith: Horticulture as the Way Back  Authors: Barry L. & Joan Miller Cotter This is the second article on Truman Smith—the first was in the Fall 2008 issue. This article reports how, after financial difficulties and the economic crash of the 1850s, Smith…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2009: “Food for a Good Life: John J. Ryan and the Minnesota Grocers Association”

Mary Jo Richardson

Food for a Good Life: John J. Ryan and the Minnesota Grocers Association Author: Mary Jo Richardson This article, written by his granddaughter, is the story of J. J. Ryan, who made his mark both on the state and nation as a spokesman for retail grocers. He was born…