• Clear Filters

Ramsey County History – Winter 2014: “Fighting to Keep Seeger Running: Ralph M. Scalze and His Leadership of Local No. 20459, AFL-CIO, 1949–1955”

Gerald E. Scalze

Fighting to Keep Seeger Running: Ralph M. Scalze and His Leadership of Local No. 20459, AFL-CIO, 1949–1955 Author: Gerald E. Scalze A World War II veteran, Ralph Scalze was the leader of Local No. 20459 of the Refrigerator Workers’ Union of the AFL-CIO from 1949 to 1955, the largest…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2013: “Remembering Heroes: The Midway Transfer Fire of 1900”

Patrick L. Shannon

Remembering Heroes: The Midway Transfer Fire of 1900 Author: Patrick L. Shannon A major fire broke out at a packing house in the Midway neighborhood of St. Paul on the night of October 21, 1900. It soon spread to nearby buildings. Eventually, four fire companies fought the blaze. When…

Ramsey County History – Spring 2013: “One History of Service: The Guild of Catholic Women and Guild Incorporated”

Hayla Drake

One History of Service: The Guild of Catholic Women and Guild Incorporated Author: Hayla Drake In 1906, out of concern for the welfare of new immigrants in their community, a group of thirty women from St. Luke’s Catholic Church began the Guild of Catholic Women (GCW), which helped meet…

Ramsey County History – Spring 2013: “Aviation Pioneer: Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie:

Roger Bergerson

Aviation Pioneer: Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie Author: Roger Bergerson Phoebe Fairgrave Omlie (1902–1975) was the first woman to do a lot of things in American aviation: hold a federal pilot’s license; fly over the Rocky Mountains in a light plane; and serve as a top government aeronautics official. Fairgrave first…

Ramsey County History – Spring 2012: “Community Health with a Heart: The History of Open Cities Health Center”

Katie Jaeger

Community Health with a Heart: The History of Open Cities Health Center Author: Katie Jaeger The Open Cities Health Center (OCHC) in St. Paul got its start in 1967 when a group of the city’s residents opened one of Minnesota’s first medical clinics dedicated to helping people of color.

Ramsey County History – Winter 2010: “‘Part and Parcel of a Great Cause:’ The St. Paul Society for the Hard of Hearing”

Kristen Mapel Bloomberg and Leah S. McLaughlin

“Part and Parcel of a Great Cause:” The St. Paul Society for the Hard of Hearing Authors: Kristen Mapel Bloomberg and Leah S. McLaughlin After providing general information on social clubs and organizations in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, this article focuses on the group that worked…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2009: “Food for a Good Life: John J. Ryan and the Minnesota Grocers Association”

Mary Jo Richardson

Food for a Good Life: John J. Ryan and the Minnesota Grocers Association Author: Mary Jo Richardson This article, written by his granddaughter, is the story of J. J. Ryan, who made his mark both on the state and nation as a spokesman for retail grocers. He was born…

Ramsey County History – Fall 2008: “Pith Heart & Nerve, Truman M. Smith: From Banker to Market Gardener”

Barry L. & Joan Miller Cotter

Pith Heart & Nerve, Truman M. Smith: From Banker to Market Gardener Authors: Barry L. & Joan Miller Cotter According to the authors, Truman Smith did not give up in the face of a major economic collapse in 1857; instead he showed resilience and used “pith, heart, and nerve”…

Ramsey County History – Spring 2008: “From Swede Hollow to Capitol Boulevard: Bethesda Hospital Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary (1883–2008)”

Dr. Donald B. Swenson

From Swede Hollow to Capitol Boulevard: Bethesda Hospital Celebrates Its 125th Anniversary (1883–2008) Author: Dr. Donald B. Swenson A survey of the history of Bethesda Hospital as it celebrated its 125th anniversary. At the start, the institution dealt primarily with Swedish and Norwegian clients. Initially located near Como Lake,…