Saint Paul History Facts and Timeline

(Saint Paul, Minnesota - MN, USA)

It is known that Native American Indians lived in the St. Paul / Minneapolis area roughly 2,000 years ago in history, with traces of their former residence being found in the Indian Mounds Park, in the form of obvious burial mounds.

American European settlement of the modern-day city happened many centuries later, in the early years of the 1800s. The native Dakota Sioux Indians living in the region at the time were forced into selling their land to the US government and in 1819, military fortifications were built where both the Mississippi River and the Minnesota River met.

The fortress was originally named Fort St. Anthony and later became known as Fort Snelling. It is still standing today and is located roughly 9 miles / 14 km to the southwest of downtown St. Paul, where it is managed by the Minnesota Historical Society and listed as a US National Historic Landmark.

Settlement of the Twin Cities

It was not long before people chose to settle in this part of Minnesota, due to the presence of Fort Snelling and the scenic setting. The Saint Anthony Falls area of Minneapolis, just a short distance from St. Paul, became an especially appealing place to live, since it allowed mills to make full use of the natural power of the water.

St. Paul and Minneapolis soon became successful trading posts for fur, whisky and other goods. Various explorers arrived, together with French-Canadian immigrants and missionaries, who all felt safe in the presence of Fort Snelling. The area became affectionately known as 'Pig's Eye', after a particularly popular tavern. History buffs will find that this name is still in place at the Pig's Eye Regional Park, on the southeastern side of the city.

A Time of Change in Minnesota

The territory of Minnesota officially came into being in 1849 and it was St. Paul that was selected to receive the enviable status of capital, being incorporated as a city in 1854. Just three years later, the government decided to move the capital elsewhere, to St. Peter, some 77 miles / 124 km to the southwest.

Local politician Joseph Rolette was strongly opposed to St. Paul losing its capital status and so when the bill for this movement came into his hands, he quickly disappeared for an entire week, until it became too late for any more bills to be passed. It was because of his deviousness that St. Paul remains the capital of Minnesota today. Soon after, in May of 1858, Minnesota became the nation's 32nd United State.

Steamboats and Gateway to the Minnesota Frontier

Modern steamboats were once a common sight along the riverfront and soon more than 1,000 steamboats were serving the state capital. Many boats stopped here, since it was the last part of the Mississippi River that was accessible, due to a rather rocky stretch of water.

An important railroad arrived in the Twin Cities in the latter part of the 1860s, with these modern transportation connections resulting in a noticeable boom in the economy.

The 20th Century Onwards

During the 20th century in St. Paul history, many significant events took place, such as the devastating tornadoes and storms of 1904, which caused close to US$2 million worth of damage. The lengthy arched High Bridge spanning the Mississippi River was greatly damaged during the storms.

Other noteworthy dates in local history include the opening of St. Paul's Science Museum of Minnesota in 1907, while the life of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) began in 1914, when it was initially named the Speedway Field. In 1950, local cartoonist Charles M. Schulz published his Charlie Brown strip for the very first time in the St. Paul Pioneer Press, followed by groundbreaking heart surgery at the University of Minnesota in 1952.

Next, the building of the state's Interstate Highway network began, followed by Beatlemania in 1965, when the Fab Four performed at the Metropolitan Stadium in nearby Bloomington (no longer in existence). The skyline of Minneapolis welcomed the towering IDS Center in 1972. In 1981, the Minnesota Children's Museum opened in St. Paul, with the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome following the year later in downtown Minneapolis.

In 1992, the famous Mall of America (MoA) arrived in neighboring Bloomington and took shopping to a whole new level, now being home to more than 500 stores and roughly 20,000 parking spaces. Just one year later, the purpose-built Minnesota History Center opened its doors for the very first time in St. Paul, being located on the West Kellogg Boulevard.