On this date in 1820, after taking command of the post at Saint Peter’s (now Mendota) the month before, Colonel Josiah Snelling lays the corner stone at Fort St. Anthony with the proper ceremonies. The Fort had not progressed to the point where it could be occupied until the fall of 1822. Upon its completion in 1825, […]
Architecture
1834-05-06
On this date in 1834, Samuel W. and Gideon H. Pond, two young missionaries from Connecticut arrive at Fort Snelling aboard the steamboat Warrior. Their arrival marks the beginning of Protestant mission work among the Dakota in southern Minnesota. In 1834, the Ponds had received permission from the Indian agent at Fort Snelling, Major Lawrence […]
1925-05-04
On this date in 1925, the first car assembled at the Ford Motor Company plant in St. Paul’s Highland Park neighborhood rolls off the assembly line. The St. Paul Ford plant wasn’t the first one in the Twin Cities however. In 1912, Ford began automobile production in the Twin Cities in a warehouse in downtown […]
1914-05-01
On this date in 1914, construction began on the First National Soo Line Building in Minneapolis. The nineteen story building was completed less than a year later on March 1, 1915 and was Minnesota’s tallest building until the construction of the 26 story Foshay Tower in 1929.
1974-01-11
On this date in 1974, residents of West St. Paul and surrounding areas were awaken by the loud explosion of a 10,000 gallon propane tank at the Bellows Court and Charlton Park Apartment complex. The propane tank was being filled from a tank truck when a fire started near the storage tank. Five firefighters responded […]
