Saint Paul City Limits
The middle of the Marshall Avenue Bridge in 1944
Somewhere down there in the muddy depths of the Mississippi, there is a line that divides the last great eastern city in America from the barren wilds of the untamed western interior. The river has always been Saint Paul’s defining physical characteristic. The city that began as a landing port, grew to become the capital and cultural heart of the state. The Mississippi forms Saint Paul’s municipal boundary along much of the city’s west, southwest, and southeast sides. More bridges span the great river here than anywhere else along it’s length. Back when this photo was taken relatively few residents of the state capital had ever been to the dirty little milling center on the other side of the Marshall Avenue Bridge. These days hundreds Saint Paulites have put aside long standing taboos and some even cross the river a couple times a year. Social segregation between Minnehapolis and Saint Paul has eroded significantly in the 21st century. Intercity dating is still frowned upon, but most of the blue laws against it are no longer enforced.
Tho’ it still takes a brave soul to be willing to risk transriver dating. Wild! Dirty!
And somehow Minneapolis has the better Art School.