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Ramsey County History – Fall 1994: “The Midway Chamber and Its Community: The Colorful History of an ‘Unparalleled Feature” of St. Paul”

Jane McClure

The Midway Chamber and Its Community: The Colorful History of an ‘Unparalleled Feature” of St. Paul Author: Jane McClure In the early twentieth century the Midway District of St. Paul became a thriving regional hub for transportation, industry, commerce, and education. This article traces the development of the Midway, its…

Ramsey County History – Summer 1994: “Lafayette Park and the Vanished Homes of St. Paul’s Elite”

Marshall R. Hatfield

Lafayette Park and the Vanished Homes of St. Paul’s Elite Author: Marshall R. Hatfield Officially created in 1886, Lafayette Park for many years was at the center of a stylish neighborhood where many of St. Paul’s elite had their homes. Residents included James J. Hill, John S. Prince, Elias F.

Ramsey County History – Spring 1993: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Looking Back at the Black Community—Part II”

David V. Taylor

Growing Up in St. Paul: Looking Back at the Black Community—Part II Author David V. Taylor The author, historian and former Dean of the General College at the University of Minnesota, was born in St. Paul in 1945. This memoir recounts his childhood in a close-knit, socially conservative community; Maxfield…

Ramsey County History – Fall 1992: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Polish Sausage and Trips on the Streetcar”

DeAnne M. Cherry

Growing Up in St. Paul: Polish Sausage and Trips on the Streetcar Author: DeAnne M. Cherry The author spent many days on St. Paul’s North End in the 1940s in the company of her Polish grandparents. This memoir includes St. Casimir’s Church, Calvary Cemetery, Hank’s Grocery, visits from the rag…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1992: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Years of Depression, Gangsters, Good Schools”

Willard L. Boyd

Growing Up in St. Paul: Years of Depression, Gangsters, Good Schools Author: Willard L. (Sandy) Boyd The author grew up in idyllic St. Anthony Park in the 1920s and ’30s. Memory lane is fully occupied: Guttersen School, the farm campus, John Dillinger, the Midtown Theater, and Murray High School. The author…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1991: “What’s Historic About This Site? Woodland Park Historic District”

Ramsey County Historical Society

What’s Historic About This Site? Woodland Park Historic District A brief summary of the rise, decline, and revival of the neighborhood bounded by Marshall, Selby, Dale, and Kent streets. During its rise, 1880–1924, prominent citizens such as Judson Bishop, D. W. Lawler, and William Marshall built houses there.

Ramsey County History – Spring 1983: “The Como Shops—Transformed into Bandana Square”

Nancy Tracy

The Como Shops—Transformed into Bandana Square Author: Nancy Tracy In 1877, the Northern Pacific Railroad moved its headquarters to St. Paul from Brainerd. A few years later, the railroad built repair and maintenance facilities, opening the Como Shops in 1885 at the intersection of Lexington and Como Avenues. The…

Ramsey County History – Spring 1983: “Swamps, Farms, Boom or Bust—Como Neighborhood’s Colorful History”

Patricia Murphy and Gary Phelps

Swamps, Farms, Boom or Bust—Como Neighborhood’s Colorful History Authors: Patricia Murphy and Gary Phelps Before construction of the Como Shops, the Como neighborhood was an undeveloped area of timberland, swamps, and a few farms. Lake Como was probably named by an early settler. Land developer Henry McKenty built the…

Ramsey County History – Fall: “Swede Hollow: Sheltered Society for Immigrants to St. Paul”

Mollie Price

Swede Hollow: Sheltered Society for Immigrants to St. Paul Author: Mollie Price Swede Hollow was an important St. Paul immigrant neighborhood along Phalen Creek on the city’s East Side. As early as the 1840s, a few hunters and trappers staked claims and an enterprise or two started using water…