Catalog
Ramsey County History – Fall 1983: “St. Paul’s Fire Insurance Patrol—Gone But Not Forgotten!”
John SonnenSt. Paul’s Fire Insurance Patrol—Gone But Not Forgotten! Author: John Sonnen From 1895 to 1939, the Fire Insurance Patrol raced the Fire Department to conflagrations with the sole mission of salvaging as much property as possible from fires. Authorized by the Minnesota Legislature but privately financed, the Fire Patrol…
Ramsey County History – Special 1979: “Murders Mar the Dawning of 1854”
Robert Orr BakerMurders Mar the Dawning of 1854 Author: Robert Orr Baker An essay drawn from primary source material documenting events in the burgeoning town of St. Paul in 1854. Excerpts from St. Paul’s first newspapers relate to the town’s first murder, early businesses, transportation, entertainment, and other topics. Riverboats brought…
Ramsey County History – Spring/Summer 1975: “James J. Hill: A Search for the Man Behind the Legend”
Virginia Brainard KunzJames J. Hill: A Search for the Man Behind the Legend Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz Late in his life James J. Hill remarked, “I’ve made my mark on the surface of the earth and they [the U.S. Supreme Court] can’t wipe it out.” He knew he’d been a titan.
Ramsey County History – Spring/Summer 1975: “How St. Paul Came to Lose the “Red River War””
Dennis HoffaHow St. Paul Came to Lose the “Red River War” Author: Dennis Hoffa The Selkirk or Red River Colony, later Winnipeg, so far from St. Paul, was a vital source of commerce and wealth in the city’s first few decades. Starting in 1844, the ox carts trundled south laden…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1974: “The Necessities of Life, Available Early on the Frontier”
Kevin GalvinThe Necessities of Life, Available Early on the Frontier Author: Kevin Galvin Six businesses operating downtown in 1859 were still in actively running in 1974. The author traces their histories. Philip Fabel began selling handmade shoes in 1856. His descendants still run the store. Albrecht Furs began in 1855,…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1973: “Memories of Early St. Paul: Perilous Escape from Fire down Eighty-Foot Bluff”
Mrs. George R. Becker with George A. ReaMemories of Early St. Paul: Perilous Escape from Fire down Eighty-Foot Bluff Authors: Mrs. George R. Becker with George A. Rea The author’s father and uncle, August and Charles Mueller, were working in a downtown tailor shop when fire broke out on May 17, 1870. To save themselves they…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1973: “A Revolutionary, a Scientist, and a Civil Rights Leader: 300 Years of Pioneering for St. Paul’s Colorful Markoes”
Jeffrey H. SmithA Revolutionary, a Scientist, and a Civil Rights Leader: 300 Years of Pioneering for St. Paul’s Colorful Markoes …
Ramsey County History – Fall 1972: “Forgotten Pioneers: James C. Burbank, The Man Who Used Coach and Boat to Link the Northwest to St. Paul”
Robert Orr BakerForgotten Pioneers: James C. Burbank, The Man Who Used Coach and Boat to Link the Northwest to St. Paul Author: Robert Orr Baker Bringing the Red River country, and by extension all of the “Hudson Bay country this side of the Rocky Mountains, into … communication with St. Paul was…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1972: “North St. Paul’s ‘Manufactories’ – Come-back – After 1893 ‘Bust'”
Edward J. LettermanNorth St. Paul’s ‘Manufactories’—Come-back—After 1893 “Bust” Author: Edward J. Letterman Henry Castle developed North St. Paul as an industrial suburb, and it was just beginning to prosper when the Depression of 1893 came along. A mainstay of the community had been the Luger Furniture Company, which as early as…