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Violet Gould’s Civic Opera Musical Circle

Mady Metzger-Ziegler founded the St. Paul Opera Workshop. Her son, Max Metzger, followed in his mother’s musical footsteps as an orchestra conductor. Courtesy of Minnesota Historical Society. Mady Metzger-Ziegler (1897-1979), mezzosoprano, was a featured performer in the St. Paul Civic Opera Association (Civic Opera) and its associated Pops concerts. She…

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,…

Ramsey County History – Summer 2004: “The Rondo Oral History Project Beulah Mae Baines Swan Remembers Piano Lessons and a ‘Nice Vegetable Garden’ Out Back”

Kate Cavett

The Rondo Oral History Project Beulah Mae Baines Swan Remembers Piano Lessons and a ‘Nice Vegetable Garden’ Out Back An Interview by Kate Cavett This article is from an oral history interview with Beulah Mae Baines Swan, who was raised near Como and Dale in a very small…

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…