Selby and Nina Then & Now

Contrary to popular belief, Nina Street is not named for Saint Paul’s infamous, 19th century madam, Nina Clifford. The street was named by the group of developers that platted Dayton and Irvine’s addition in 1854. Clifford’s real name was Hannah Crow. Chances are she named herself after the street. Construction of the Cathedral of Saint … Read more

Midway Motel

MIDWAY MOTEL 901 North Snelling Ave. (on Highway 51) St. Paul, Minn. 55104 Phone: 646-4584 Area Code: 612 Located in St. Paul’s Midway and college districts. near State Fair Grounds, city bus by our door. Each unit has: wall-to-wall carpeting. deluxe furnishings, free color TV, telephone, ceramic tile bath, tub and shower, baseboard heat, and … Read more

The Steppingstone Theatre Then and Now

Designed by Thori, Alban and Fischer the corner stone for the the First Methodist Episcopal Church was laid on October 15, 1907 and the building was completed in 1910. A dedication booklet noted that the church faced Holly Avenue in a “situation ideal to show its classic and simple architecture, the massive columns of the … Read more

The Spangenberg Residence

Built in 1864, the yellow limestone walls of the Frederick Spangenberg House came from banks of the Mississippi River. The rocks were hauled up on a sled by oxen. Frederick Spangenberg was a German immigrant dairy farmer. His 80-acre farm become the best part of Saint Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood. When August Spanburg died at … Read more

The Pathway Between

No larger or more varied combination of the elements of natural beauty can anywhere be found in the near neighborhood of a great city than are- here grouped together. Nature has bestowed with lavish hand upon the environments of Minneapolis all her most picturesque forms of scenery with the sole exception of great mountains. Rocks … Read more

Come on Over!

Could you learn to love me in Minneapolis or will I have to move to St. Paul Could we find a home near Powderhorn Merriam Park is too dear and too small Could you learn to love me Minneapolis or will you stay behind Dayton’s Bluff The shops stay open late on Hennepin Avenue and … Read more

Remember the Golden Rule

The Golden Rule Department Store was established at 7th and Minnesota Streets by William Elsinger, Joseph Elsinger and Jacob Dittenhofer in 1886. Five years later the store was moved to a three story building at what is now 85 7th Place East. An Addition was made to the building in 1901 and in 1902 C. … Read more

The Minnesota Quadriga

Above the southern entrance to the Minnesota state capital building is a gilded quadriga called “The Progress of the State”. Standing upon a triumphal car drawn by four spirited horses, is the figure of “Prosperity,” holding in one hand the horn of plenty, in the other a banner with the symbols of state. The horses … Read more

The St. Paul Women’s City Club Building Then and Now

The Art Deco St. Paul Women’s City Club Building in downtown Saint Paul once provided a dining room, assembly rooms, dressing rooms, and bedrooms for members and guests of the club.The St. Paul Women’s City Club. The organization grew out of a post World War I American Woman’s Club movement. The group met in the … Read more