History of St. Paul Park--Kid Version
Thank you for your interest in the history of St. Paul Park.
St. Paul Park first became a village in 1887 and in 1909 St. Paul Park was incorporated making it a "City".
The City of St. Paul Park is located on the east banks of the Mississippi River and just off of Highway 61. We also have two rail lines in St. Paul Park they are Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Canadian Pacific. Every December St. Paul Park ark residents participates in the Canadian Pacific "Holiday Train" food drive. This is a time when neighboring communities come together for a good cause. Last year 13,000 pounds of food and toys were donated and more than $18,900 in cash donations for our local food shelf.
Our City has changed over the years--Back in 1887 our village had 11 stores, 5 factories, 6 hotels/boarding houses (the Park House being one of the largest and most elegant), an opera house, post office, college (St. Paul Methodist College and Dormitory), and many thriving businesses. Unfortunately in 1909 many downtown businesses were destroyed by fire and due to the number of young men being drafted for service in World War I, the college was never reopened and finally torn down.
Today we have 0 hotels, 4 manufacturers, 3 schools (Pullman Elementary, Oltman Jr. High, and St. Andrews), 7 churches, a post office and several businesses. Did you know that the bakery items sold at SuperAmerica gas stations are baked right here in St. Paul Park? Supermom's Bakery is one of our major employers, as well as Marathon Petroleum Company and Garelick Manufacturing Company.
If you love parks, we have eight of them. Each park has been designed to service different needs and ages. Heritage Park is one of our largest parks and has hosted many family reunions, gatherings, and city events. This park has six ballfields, two tennis courts, football field, play equipment, badminton court, volleyball court, horseshoe pits, 1/2 court basketball, picnic pavilion and shelter.
If you are a kid between the ages 10-13, you would want to check out Whitbred Memorial Park. This park has a lighted hockey rink and pleasure skating rink with a warming house. During the winter months the Parks and Recreation Commission hosts Friday Game Nights, where kids can ice skate, play board games and enjoy hot chocolate and cookies. During the summer there is a half-court basketball, football field, baseball field, and play equipment designed for ages 10 and older.
Every year we celebrate our heritage by hosting an annual festival called "Heritage Days" which is held the third weekend in August. The festival, which centers along Broadway Avenue, starts on Friday with the Teen Mud Volleyball Tournament and Moonlight Bowling. Other events include a street dance, Adult Mud Volleyball Tournament, 10K race, horseshoe tournament, car show, tractor pull, Miss Heritage Days pageant, and a parade. The festival ends on Sunday with a fireworks display. This year's theme is "Stars on Broadway".
If you need more information about our City, check out other areas of our web site.