History of St Paul, Minnesota, USA

1854 - St. Paul
St. Paul, a flourishing city, port of entry, capital of Minnesota Territory, and seat of justice of Ramsey county, on the left bank of the Mississippi, 2070 miles from its mouth, and 9 miles by land below the Falls of St. Anthony. Lat. 44° 52' 46'' N., Lon. 93° 5' W. It is situated on a bluff 70 or 80 feet high, and presents a striking view from the river. The hills or bluffs which partly encircle the town abound in excellent springs. It is at the head of steamboat navigation, and is a place of active business. It was first settled about 1840, and in 1849 it contained 1 church, 2 printing offices, 3 hotels, 10 stores, 4 ware houses, 2 drug stores, and 1 school house. A fine state house, 140 feet long and 53 feet wide, surmounted by a handsome dome, has just been erected. St. Paul now contains 5 or 6 churches, 4 hotels, 2 or 3 printing offices, 1 book store, 2 drug stores, numerous other stores, and several saw mills. The Baldwin school of this place is n well conducted and flourishing ... Read MORE...

1868 - ST. PAUL. Disastrous Fire
St. Paul, Minn., April 21

Early this morning the McKibben Block, a four-story stone building, together with Mrs. Johnson's brick boarding-house and three frame buildings burned down. The origin of the fire is unknown. Loss, $105.00; insurance $40,000.
Morning Herald
Titusville, Pennsylvania
April 22, 1868

1881 - A Disastrous Fire - The Minnesota State House Burned.
St. Paul, Minn., March 1. - Members of the legislature were "fired out" literally to-night in a summary manner. At 9 o'clock while both houses were in session, fire was discovered in the dome of the capitol. An alarm was immediately given. In the senate and assembly chambers, a blinding cloud of smoke immediately followed, the opening of the doors. Many of the members rushed for the windows, but the height was too much, and they turned and got out through the cloak room just in time. The flames first made their appearance in the dome, spread rapidly, the old and dry wood-work catching like tinder. Within a hour the entire roof had fallen in and the second story floors were rapidly burning. Some plucky clerks and members saved the papers of the senate and assembly in their flight. The state offices, being on the lower floor, were more fortunate, time being given to remove the contents, except what was in the vaults. The entire records of the supreme court were saved, and are in safe... Read MORE...

1884 - FIRE AT ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.
St. Paul, Minn., Feb. 26. - A most disastrous fire has occurred here. The building destroyed was a large four-story warehouse at the corner of Pine and Prince streets, west end. The building was occupied by MAST, BURFORD, BURWELL & Co., dealery in agricultural implements, the rest of the structure being occupied by the offices of the St. Paul Harvesting works, the stove concern of BRAND & Co., and store rooms of GLIDDEN, GRIGGS & Co., wholesale grocers, the latter firm also having a large stock of goods stored in the basement. The building was supposed to have been fire proof, but burned like so much paper. It was owned by GRIGGS & FOSTER, whose loss is $25,000; insurance, $20,000. The total loss is about $125,000; insurance about $85,000.
The Evening Gazette
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
February 26, 1884

1887 - First ski tournament in Midwest held in Saint Paul

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1888 - During the winter of 1888, residents of St. Paul built an ice palace at the winter festival. Before melting, it was considered one of the largest buildings in the world, measuring 14 stories high and covering an acre of land.

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1889 - AN OPERA HOUSE BURNED. ST. PAUL LOSES ITS CHIEF PLACE OF AMUSEMENT - LOSS $200,000.
St. Paul, Jan. 21. - At 7 o'clock this morning fire broke out in the coat room of the Grand Opera House. The place caught fire during the absence of the caretaker at breakfast. The Grand Opera House was situated in the business part of the city, and was surrounded by some of the best buildings in town. Back of it is the mammoth Globe Building, while on either side are large buildings. The entire Fire Department was called out and went to work with a will. The mercury was then about 14 degrees below zero, and the water froze almost as fast as it could be thrown from the hose.

The grand block adjoining the opera house on the corner of Wabasha and Fourth streets soon caught fire, and the occupants of that building hastily departed from their warm rooms to the much colder air out of doors, where many of the shivered in scant apparel until their clothes were brought to them by the firemen.

At 9 o'clock the roof fell in, and the flames spread with increased rapidity, taking the rest... Read MORE...

1895 - Saint Paul
Saint Paul, a city and port of entry, the capital of Minnesota, and the seat of justice for Ramsey co., is situated on the Mississippi River, about 2100 miles from its mouth, 10 miles E. of Minneapolis, and 409 miles by rail W.N.W. of Chicago. Lat. 44° 52'46" N, ; lon. 93° 5' W. It is the second city of the state in population, and is the head of navigation for steamboats. The greater part of the city is built on a plateau, or terrace, which is 70 feet higher than the river and is partly surrounded by an amphitheatre of hills. St. Paul contains a state-house, a city all, a fine granite building erected by the United States for the custom-house and post-office, 138 churches representing many denominations, a number of theatres, public libraries, and national banks, the state reform school, an academy of natural sciences, a high school, and several academies, orphan asylums, and hospitals. Five daily and 25 weekly newspapers are published here. St. Paul is sup plied with good water... Read MORE...

1904 - SIXTEEN PEOPLE KILLED - The Tornado at Twin Cities Wrought Devastation.
It Cut a Pathway Eight Miles Long Through the Business District - Hundreds of Fine Shade Trees Ruined.

St. Paul, Minn., August 22. - The tornado which Saturday night struck this city cut a pathway about half a mile in width and eight miles long through the business and residence district, leaving ruin and devastation in its track. Sixteen persons were killed and the list of injured is long, in which there are several who are reported to be fatally hurt. The downtown business district was hit hard, many of the big office and business blocks being completely riddled and the stocks of wholesale houses damaged by the floods of rain that accompanied the wind.

The aggregate property loss is estimated at $3,000,000. Of this amount St. Paul suffered to the extent of about $1,000,000. Minneapolis' damage is estimated at $1,500,000, while in the outside districts it is feared that $500,000 will not cover the damage done to crops and farm property.

Beginning at a point below Fort... Read MORE...

1905 - FELL FROM A "FERRIS" WHEEL. WOMAN INSTANTLY KILLED AND HUSBAND SOON DIED IN ST. PAUL.
St. Paul, Minn. - In the presence of thousands of visitors at the state fair at St. Paul, Minn., Thursday. MR. and MRS. SEVENTHAL, of Eau Claire, Wis., fell from the upper car of a Ferris wheel to the ground, a distance of nearly 100 feet.

MRS. SEVENTHAL was instantly killed and her husband was so badly injured that he died shortly afterward.

The accident created a scene bordering on a panic.

The car was descending and the seat in which they were seated broke, precipitating them to the ground.
Sioux County Herald
Orange City, Iowa
September 13, 1905

1906
Saint Panl, the capital of Minnesota and the scat of justice of Ramsey co., is situated on the Mississippi River, about 2150 miles above its mouth, just below Minneapolis (the wide-spreading suburbs of the two cities being contig uous), and 350 miles (direct) NW. of Chicago. It is on the Chicago and Northwestern, the Great Northern, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul and a number of other railroads, and is situated at an elevation of 670-830 feet above the sea. Lat. 44° 52' N. ; Lon. 93° 5' W. It is the second oity of the state in population and is the head of navigation for large steamboats. It stands on a series of terraces, rising above both banks of the river, which is here crossed by a number of wagon and railway bridges. The city is substantially built, with prominent and imposing publio edifices, and was one of the first cities to construct massive and lofty office-buildings of the modern style of architecture. Among the more notable public buildings are the new state capitol, ... Read MORE...

1908 - FALLS OVER CLIFF AND TRAIN MANGLES HIM
ST. PAUL, May 8. - Robert, the 2 year old son of Jacob Sleckenstein, 275 Cliff street, rolled down a 30-foot embankment near his home at 6 o'clock last evening and fell under a passing freight train on the St. Paul railroad tracks. Both his legs were severed at the knees and he died at the city hospital at 11:45. He was taken to the city hospital where he was attended by Coroner A. W. Miller.

The child had been playing near his home. While he was walking along the edge of the cliff he fell and before any of the children who were with him could catch him he rolled down the embankment.

While the little fellow was rolling train was going west and the boy fell under the wheels. Ten cars passed over his legs. By the time the rescuers reached the tracks and the train had been stopped the boy was lying unconscious near the tracks and the dismembered legs were cut into shreds by the wheels.
The Duluth News Tribune
Duluth, Minnesota
May 9, 1908

1909 - ST. PAUL SAVED AFTER BATTLE WITH FLAMES. $600,000 IN BUILDINGS LEFT IN ASHES IN HEART OF THE BUSINESS SECTION. RIVAL, MINNEAPOLIS, SENDS A HOSE CART. ENTIRE FIRE FIGHTING STRENGTH USED TO PREVENT RUIN OF MINNESOTA TOWN.
St. Paul, Jan. 29. - Fire started in a department store on Seventh street this evening and for a while threatened to devastate a large part of the business district of the city. As it was a half dozen buildings were almost wholly destroyed with an aggregate loss of about $600,000.

Favored by a high northwest wind, burning cinders were thrown flying over the business section of the city and the occupants of many buildings began to remove their property.

Minneapolis sent over an engine and a hose cart. Every piece of apparatus in St. Paul was used.

The severest loss was sustained by the White House Department Store, $145,000; California Wine House, $125,000; Woolworth 5 and 10 cent store, $100,000; Fey Hotel, $75,000; McQuaid Grocery Company, $100,000 and many other smaller losses.

Reno Evening Gazette
Reno, Nevada


FIRE RAGES IN ST. PAUL
Large Part of Business District Threatened by Flames

St. Paul, Minn., Jan. 30. - Fire started on the second floor of the White... Read MORE...

1920 - February 1 - 1st commercial armored car introduced (St Paul Minn)

historyorb.com
February 1, 1920

1958 - GIANT PLANE SPLIT IN SKY, A.F. SAYS.
By Associated Press.
South St. Paul, Minn., Sept. 17 - The giant bomber plane which crashed in flames near here had broken apart in the air, an Air Force general said Wednesday.

Streaking fire as it plummeted groundward Tuesday night, the B52 jet tore a hole 300 feet long by 15 feet deep in the AUGUST KAHL farmyard. The plane exploded as it hit, setting fire to the farm buildings.
Of the eight men aboard, only the co-pilot survived by parachuting.
Air Force officials said CAPT. JACK D. CRAFT, 29, Sturgis, Mass., was in shock and unable to answer questions.

Eight members of the KAHL family were injured, and three remain hospitalized. They lost all their possessions in the explosion and fire.

MAJ. GEN. WALTER C. SWEENEY, JR., said the tail section had separated from the rest of the plane sometime before the fiery crash and was found three miles south of the KAHL farm.

SWEENEY is commander of the Stragetic Air Command's 8th Air Force at Westover Air Force Base, Mass. He... Read MORE...

2023 - St. Paul, Minnesota has a lot to offer in terms of places to go and things to do. Here's a list:
Cathedral of Saint Paul: Start your exploration with this iconic cathedral. It's not only a religious site but also an architectural masterpiece. The view from the front steps overlooking the city is fantastic.

Como Park Zoo and Conservatory: This is a great place for families or anyone who enjoys a mix of nature and wildlife. The zoo has a variety of animals, and the conservatory boasts beautiful plant displays year-round.

Minnesota State Capitol: Take a tour of the State Capitol building, an impressive architectural gem. The guided tours provide insight into the state's history and political process.

Science Museum of Minnesota: Perfect for science enthusiasts of all ages. The museum features interactive exhibits, an Omnitheater, and a variety of science-related displays.

Mississippi River Boulevard: Enjoy a scenic drive along this beautiful boulevard, which offers stunning views of the Mississippi River. There are also walking and biking paths if you prefer a more... Read MORE...