Catalog
Ramsey County History – Summer 1992: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Father Begged Feed for His Animals”
Margaret ManshipGrowing Up in St. Paul: Father Begged Feed for His Animals Author: Margaret Manship The father in this case was William McMahon, zookeeper at the Como Zoo starting in 1931. This memoir traces the early decades of the zoo, its struggles with lack of money, the animal donations, and the…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1990: “The Mississippi at St. Paul—Playground on the City’s Door Step”
Thomas B. MegaThe Mississippi at St. Paul—Playground on the City’s Door Step Author: Thomas B. Mega This article reviews the pleasure uses of the river in St. Paul from Pig’s Eye’s 1838 grog shop through the RiverFest music events of 1988. From very early days there were pleasure cruises. There were camp…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1990: “Lillie and Ida at the Fair”
Karen BluhmLillie and Ida at the Fair Author: Karen Bluhm Sisters Lillie and Ida Gibbs visited the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893, and wrote home about it. Lillie’s great-granddaughter reconstructs the event. PDF of Bluhm article…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1989: “Cold Weather, Warm Hearts”
Ramsey County Historical SocietyCold Weather, Warm Hearts Short article quoting newspapers on St. Paul’s winter entertainment circa 1850. PDF of Weather photo essay…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1989: “Boats, Boaters and Boat Clubs—Slips Cost 10 Cents a Foot”
Thomas J. KelleyBoats, Boaters and Boat Clubs—Slips Cost 10 Cents a Foot Author: Thomas J. Kelley Two short pieces in one, this article centers around Navy Island, the history of the Minnesota Yacht Club, and memories of the Minnesota Boat Club. The Yacht Club began in 1912 as the St. Paul…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1988: “George H. Trout and the Corner Grocery Store”
Karl TroutGeorge H. Trout and the Corner Grocery Store Author: Karl Trout This memoir from the son of a grocer in the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood is filled with delightful details: how the commodities were delivered and sold and how customers tasted the butter before buying. According to the author, “the…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1988: “Pay Days: The Millers and Saints”
Ramsey County Historical SocietyPay Days: The Millers and Saints Author: Stew Thornley A brief summary of the century-long baseball rivalry between St. Paul’s Saints baseball team and the Millers of Minneapolis, featuring brawls, record-setting feats, famous names, and unforgettable characters. PDF of Thornley article…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1987: “Cattleman and Capitalists—And The Founding of New Brighton”
Gene F. SkibaCattleman and Capitalists—And The Founding of New Brighton Author: Gene F. Skiba The article covers the founding of the city of New Brighton and memories from early settlers. Minneapolis businessmen created the city hoping to be in the cattle business. They chose a location on Long Lake, set up…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1987: “Boxing in Minnesota in the Postwar Era—The Fighting Flanagans”
Scott WrightBoxing in Minnesota in the Postwar Era—The Fighting Flanagans Author: Scott Wright Glen and Del Flanagan were the most successful local professional boxers of their time. This article traces their careers. Glen began his professional career in 1946; Del in 1947; and, by 1948, both were often fighting in…