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Ramsey County History – Fall 1990: “No Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857”

Ronald M. Hubbs

No Cash, No Credit, No Jobs—St. Paul and the Panic of 1857 Author: Ronald M. Hubbs The nationwide Panic of 1857 shattered the booming – and enthusiastically speculating – St. Paul. This piece follows the crisis mostly through the pens of newspapermen, chiefly those of the Daily Minnesotian and St.

Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul”

Ronald M. Hubbs

A Pioneer Writes Home: Alexander Wilkin and 1850s St. Paul Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Alexander Wilkin was an important early resident of St. Paul. Lawyer, speculator, politician, adventurer, he sought fortune and glory on the frontier. He got both, plus an early death in battle. Letters he wrote to…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “Boom, Boom, Bust! The ’29 Crash”

Woodrow Keljik

Boom, Boom, Bust! The ’29 Crash Author: Woodrow Keljik “Were the 1920s really prosperous?” Woodrow Keljik asks. In retrospect, signs of problems abounded, such as trouble on the farm, the situation in Europe, and reckless speculation. Words of caution were ignored. Another Republican victory in the 1928 elections encouraged…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1988: “The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation”

Ronald M. Hubbs

The Fire and Marine: Facts, Fancies, Legends—The First 100 Years of Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation Author: Ronald M. Hubbs Businessmen generally prefer stability, but frontier towns are often shaky. The St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company, born in 1853, helped create local stability. Its organizers were some of…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1988: “The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers”

Thomas J. Kelley

The American National Bank and the Bremer Brothers Author: Thomas J. Kelley Many entered the field of banking in the 1880s, but due to the Depression of 1893, many of these institutions folded. The American National Bank was opened in 1903 by local businessmen led by Otto Bremer, owner…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1986: “The Mississippi and St. Paul—Change Is Constant for the River and the City That Shaped It”

Paul Donald Hesterman

The Mississippi and St. Paul—Change Is Constant for the River and the City That Shaped It Author: Paul Donald Hesterman The article’s theme is how today’s Mississippi River is different from the mid-nineteenth century river “in virtually every way, from the contours of its banks to the chemical composition…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1985: “Health Care Crisis of the 1920s—A ‘National Epidemic’ Launches Blue Cross and Blue Shield”

Gary Phelps

Health Care Crisis of the 1920s—A ‘National Epidemic’ Launches Blue Cross and Blue Shield Author: Gary Phelps The article focuses on Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota. In 1932, the Hospital Service Association of St. Paul was organized to operate a nonprofit prepaid hospitalization plan. In 1935, the…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1969: “Orders, Letters, Lists of Possessions: Colonel Snelling’s Journals”

Virginia Brainard Kunz

Orders, Letters, Lists of Possessions: Colonel Snelling’s Journals Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz A recounting of life and the historical significance of Fort Snelling. The excerpts, joined by explanatory text, touch on death by disease, military discipline, relations with Native Americans, planned participation in a duel, Snelling’s transfer…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1968: “Ramsey County’s German Americans: Their Struggle with Pride and Prejudice”

Sister John Christine Wolkerstorfer

Ramsey County’s German Americans: Their Struggle with Pride and Prejudice Author: Sister John Christine Wolkerstorfer Throughout most of the modern history of Ramsey County, Germans have comprised the largest ethnic group. This article covers many aspects of German immigration to Ramsey County and the participation of German…