The Hamline Park Building Then and Now
1939 and 2011
Built by the WPA in 1938, the Hamline Park Building on Snelling Avenue is one of over 50 buildings designed by Clarence Wesley “Cap” Wigington that still stand in the city. During the 1920s and 30s, Wigington designed most of the Saint Paul Public Schools buildings, as well as golf clubhouses, fire stations and park buildings for the city. Other Wigington structures include the Highland Park Tower, the Holman Field Administration Building, the Harriet Island Pavilion, Highland Park Clubhouse, Cleveland High School, Randolph Heights Elementary School,the downtown St. Paul Police Station, the Zoological Building at the Como Park Zoo and the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Many of these building are now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hamline Park Building was used as community recreation space for many years and more recently as the office space of the Hamline Midway Coalition. Currenty the City of Saint Paul and the Parks and Recreation Commission are considering the sale of building. I think it would make a nice coffee shop.
Clarence Wesley “Cap” Wigington in 1940
