Catalog
Ramsey County History – Winter 1997: “Rats, Politicians, Librarians: The Untold Stories of the Old St. Francis Hotel and the Rich Historical Legacy of Seventh Place”
Paul R. GoldRats, Politicians, Librarians: The Untold Stories of the Old St. Francis Hotel and the Rich Historical Legacy of Seventh Place Author: Paul R. Gold Seventh Place—old West Seventh Street between Wabasha and St. Peter—has been many things over the years. It was Vetal Guerin’s farmland, the site of the first…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1996: “From ‘Part-Time Pick-up’ to Renowned Ensemble: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Its First Ten Years—1959 to 1970”
Glenn PerachioFrom ‘Part-Time Pick-up’ to Renowned Ensemble: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Its First Ten Years—1959 to 1970 Author: Glenn Perachio The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) gave its first performance 18 November 1959 at St. Paul Central High School. The musicians were mostly moonlighters from the Minneapolis Symphony. Ten…
Ramsey County History – Winter 1996: “Bonspiels, Skips, Rinks, Brooms, and Heavy Ice: The St. Paul Curling Club and its Century-old History”
Jane McClureBonspiels, Skips, Rinks, Brooms, and Heavy Ice: The St. Paul Curling Club and its Century-old History Author: Jane McClure The first documented curling match in St. Paul took place Christmas Day 1885 on the Mississippi River downtown. The St. Paul Curling Club, located now on Selby Avenue in a building…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1995: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Flexible Flyers, Trolleys to Wildwood and the Wondrous Tree House on Grand Hill”
Samuel H. MorganGrowing Up in St. Paul: Flexible Flyers, Trolleys to Wildwood and the Wondrous Tree House on Grand Hill Author: Samuel H. Morgan The author lived at 710 Linwood, deep in Crocus Hill, from 1918 (when he was seven) to 1958. This memoir covers the first eleven years. He recalls riding…
Ramsey County History – Winter 1994: “Giesen’s: Costumers to St. Paul’s Families and Festivals—1872-1970”
Virginia L. MartinGiesen’s: Costumers to St. Paul’s Families and Festivals—1872-1970 Author: Virginia L. Martin Out of the heavily German culture of St. Paul’s early decades grew Giesen’s, which for a time was one of the biggest commercial costume businesses in the country. The founder, Maria Giesen, ran it until 1903: her daughter-in-law,…
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…