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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…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1968: “In North St. Paul: Boom, Boom, Bust, Come-back!”

Edward J. Lettermann

In North St. Paul: Boom, Boom, Bust, Come-back! Author: Edward J. Lettermann North St. Paul was an early planned community, first residential, then industrial. Just as industrial development seemed to be taking hold, the Panic of 1893 came along. Still, developer of North St. Paul (and historian)…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1968: “Forgotten Pioneers: William Randall”

Ramsey County Historical Society

Forgotten Pioneers: William Randall William Randall (1806–1861) came to St. Paul from New York and became the city’s first millionaire, mostly in real estate. He was ruined in the Panic of 1857 and died four years later at fifty-five. He was a man of great energy and a big…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1967: “Charles Borup: Fur Trader, Banker, Lumberman, and Minnesota’s First Danish Consul”

Nancy L. Woolworth

Charles Borup: Fur Trader, Banker, Lumberman, and Minnesota’s First Danish Consul Author: Nancy L. Woolworth Charles Borup lived in St. Paul only eleven years. Born in Copenhagen in 1806, he was educated to be a physician, but chose adventure instead. In about 1830, he landed at the…