Lake Phalen–Lake Gervais,—First City Reservoir —Round Trip Two Hours.
Take the car marked Groveland and Phalen Park on Wabasha going east on Fifth to Broadway, Tenth, Lafayette, Collins, Burr, Minnehaha, Payne, York, Greenbrier, Maryland and Forest, fare five cents each way; distance three miles.
This trip, after leaving’ Broadway, passes through residence districts, except on Payne avenue, which has been made a business street, largely through the fact that a large number of Swedish families had located together, forming quite a community, before electric cars were in use, and necessitating the local stores. This is called the east end.
Lake Phalen is a beautiful sheet of water about one and a half miles in length by a half mile in width, situate three miles northeast from the Ryan Hotel, 75 feet higher than the plateau below Wabasha street, and was set apart some fifty years ago, as a natural reservoir for the water supply of the young city, which was then largely confined to the first bench back from the river. The water was pure, and it was possible to procure an abundant supply from other lakes by gravity for a number of years.
The entire lake is under the joint charge of the Water and Park Boards, and a boulevard is projected entirely around the lake, and no buildings other than for park purposes are permitted, and the lake is to be kept free from sewage or drainage. There is a natural water course connecting with Lake Gervais, two miles further north. On the south or west side of the lake, there has been secured for park purposes 150 acres of natural woods. On the lake proper there is a large supply of row boats, and a water trip of two or three hours can be made up through the creek connecting Spoon lake and lake Gervais. There are refreshment rooms at the lake, besides the usual amusements.
Returning, the trip may be varied. at the expense of another nickel. by stopping when the car reaches Greenbrier Avenue, and walking west on Maryland street two blocks and north on Eighteenth Street four blocks, taking a Mississippi and West St. Paul car, with an interesting ride of two miles landing you on Fifth Street.
From
Picturesque Saint Paul
Unrivaled for Beauty and Situation
by an Old Settler
St. Paul Ramsey Printing Comapny,1907