Catalog
Ramsey County History – Spring 2022: “The Man and the Can: Patrick J. Towle and the St. Paul Origins of Log Cabin Syrup”
Matthew M. ThomasThe Man and the Can: Patrick J. Towle and the St. Paul Origins of Log Cabin Syrup Author: Mathew M. Thomas In 1888, after a grocery business failed in Chicago, Patrick J. Towle relocated to St. Paul with a new focus on packaging and selling a single product—maple-flavored syrup. Settling on…
March of the Governors, Governor #13, David Marston Clough
Paul Nelson and Matt WrightDavid Marston Clough was a lumber baron and politician who served as Minnesota’s Republican governor from 1895 to 1899. Born in New Hampshire in 1846, he moved with his family to Spencer Brook Township, Minnesota, in 1857. He was successful in the lumber business and moved into politics,…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2022: “Fifty Years of Friendship Connected in Community Service: The Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated”
Marion Jones KennonFifty Years of Friendship Connected in Community Service: The Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Author: Marion Jones Kennon In 1972, sixteen women joined in friendship and service to charter the Minneapolis-St. Paul (MN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Today, their chapter is one of 292 across most…
Mairs & Power at 90: A Rich History, A Bright Future
Dave BealOver the last nine decades, nearly all the firms in the tumultuous and unforgiving financial services industry have been rolled up, split up, spun out, or blown up. A shining exception: St. Paul’s Mairs & Power, the oldest continuously independent investment management firm in Minnesota and one of relatively few…
March of the Governors, Governor #8, John Pillsbury
Paul Nelson and Tom O'ConnellJohn Pillsbury, a Republican, served three terms as governor of Minnesota from January 1876 to January 1882. An immigrant from New Hampshire, Pillsbury made a fortune in the grain milling business in the company that still carries his name. He also had a strong commitment to public…
Ramsey County History – Fall 2021: “Closing the Book: The James Jerome Hill Reference Library, 1921-2021”
Eileen McCormackClosing the Book: The James Jerome Hill Reference Library, 1921-2021 Author: Eileen McCormack James J. Hill, was a creator of businesses, railroads, banks, trusts, and mansions. In 1912, he set to work on one more creation—a gift to the people of St. Paul. Hill died in 1916 before his dream—the James…
Ramsey County History – Summer 2021: “How It Started; How It’s Going: Land O’Lakes Celebrates Ten Decades of Innovation”
Karen Mellott-FosierHow It Started; How It’s Going: Land O’Lakes Celebrates Ten Decades of Innovation Author: Karen Mellott-Fosier Arden Hills-based Land O’Lakes, Inc. celebrates a milestone birthday in 2021. A century ago on June 7, 1921, representatives from 320 of the state’s co-op creameries gathered in the old state capitol…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2021: “How’d They Do That? Bringing Ramsey County History Tours Right to Your Home”
Jeremy NienowHow’d They Do That? Bringing Ramsey County History Tours Right to Your Home Author: Jeremy L. Nienow The COVID-19 pandemic significantly limited our abilities to get out and about and explore the many interesting and unique museums, historic homes, and other local venues in Ramsey County. But don’t…
Ramsey County History – Fall 2019: “Creating Communities of Interest: James J. Hill and the Minnesota Transfer”
Brian McMahonCreating Communities of Interest: James J. Hill and the Minnesota Transfer Author: Brian McMahon Railroad magnate James J. Hill was a busy man with little patience for inefficiencies. So he initiated a partnership that some might consider counterintuitive. Hill met with other railroad directors—intense competitors—to collaborate, coordinate, and…