Catalog
Ramsey County History – Summer 1997: “
Norma SommerdorfNo Grass Beneath Her Feet: Harriet Bishop and Her Life in Minnesota Author: Norma Sommerdorf Harriet Bishop came to St. Paul in 1847 and died there in 1883. In that time she taught school, dealt in real estate, married and divorced, wrote books and poetry, and organized the Women’s Christian…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1996: “Fires, Hurricanes, Diamonds, Elephants: The Colorful History of St. Paul Companies—Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation
Virginia Brainard KunzFires, Hurricanes, Diamonds, Elephants: The Colorful History of St. Paul Companies—Minnesota’s Oldest Business Corporation Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz The St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Company was incorporated in 1853, five years before Minnesota became a state. As a steamboat, then rail transportation center, St. Paul needed this institution and…
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: “The Bungalows of the Twin Cities, With a Look at the Craze That Created Them in St. Paul”
Brian McMahonThe Bungalows of the Twin Cities, With a Look at the Craze That Created Them in St. Paul Author: Brian McMahon The bungalow house—small, with elegant lines, and affordable—has proved to be one of the country’s most durable housing styles. Its heyday was the first quarter of the 20th century.
Ramsey County History – Fall 1995: “After 108 Years, a Transformation: Norwest Bank St. Paul and Its Heritage of More Than a Century”
James B. BellAfter 108 Years, a Transformation: Norwest Bank St. Paul and Its Heritage of More Than a Century Author: James B. Bell The Scandinavian-American Bank was chartered in June 1887. It eventually became Norwest Bank, one of the state’s biggest. The author, skilled at institutional history, untangles the changing…
Ramsey County History – Fall 1995: “Banking on Minnesota’s Unfettered Frontier—When Barter was the Name of the Only Game in Town”
James B. BellBanking on Minnesota’s Unfettered Frontier—When Barter was the Name of the Only Game in Town Author: James B. Bell The early years of trade in St. Paul were marked by shortage of cash, phony bank notes, bank failures, nonexistent regulation, and frequent confusion. This article tells the story of the…
Ramsey County History – Summer 1995: “Vision, Vigor, Earthbound Practicality: Friends of the Library—A Powerhouse after 50 Years”
Virginia L. MartinVision, Vigor, Earthbound Practicality: Friends of the Library—A Powerhouse after 50 Years Author: Virginia L. Martin Since its founding in 1945 by librarian Perrie Jones, the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library has protected and promoted St. Paul’s public library system. This long article traces its first fifty years,…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1995: “The Great Railway Excursion of 1854—‘The Most Notable Event of the Year'”
Virginia Brainard KunzThe Great Railway Excursion of 1854—‘The Most Notable Event of the Year Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz The completion, in 1854, of the first railroad line to the Mississippi to Rock Island, Ill., provoked an excursion of more than 1,200 people upriver to the head of navigation, St. Paul. It was…
Ramsey County History – Spring 1995: “Who Was Millard Fillmore? And What Was He Doing in St. Paul?”
Virginia Brainard KunzWho Was Millard Fillmore? And What Was He Doing in St. Paul? Author: Virginia Brainard Kunz The excursion’s most famous participant was ex-president (1850–1853) Millard Fillmore. This one-page article briefly summarizes his life and career. PDF of Millard Fillmore article…