This is a guide to Saint Paul Park, a city in southwestern Washington County, about five miles southeast of Saint Paul, Minnesota.
The city is situated along the east banks of the Mississippi River, across from Inver Grove Heights. Upper Grey Cloud Island, part of Grey Cloud Island Township, is south, and the Saint Paul Park abuts Newport to the north and Cottage Grove to the east.
The main routes through the city are US Highways 10 and 61, which run together through northeastern Saint Paul Park.
Prior to 1887, what is now Saint Paul Park was part of Newport Township, and consisted of pasture and farmland. Among the early settlers of the land were William and Giles Fowler, Joseph Hugunin, and R.S. Snow.
In 1887, William Fowler sold his land to the Saint Paul Park Improvement Company for a townsite. The village was platted that same year, the first sale was made, and the first home built. By 1888, the village had a population above one thousand, a post office, streets, sidewalks, a hotel, stores, churches, and schools.
The railroad bisected the village, and a cash bonus, as well as land, was promised to the employees of any manufacturing plants who would relocate to Saint Paul Park. This brought several manufacturing plants to the new village, including Black Hawk Mills, Dewey Harvester Works, Globe Engine and Boiler Works, Saint Paul Knitting Works, and a broom factory, excelsior mill, lumberyard, and mattress factory.
Soon, the village was served by two railroads. The Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul were the first to come through, while the Chicago, Burlington, and Northern built a spur along the north end of the village to serve the village's factories. Both railways built depots at Broadway and Pullman Avenues, and a steamboat landing was created at the foot of Broadway Avenue.
During the 1890s, the mills employed so many people that they had to recruit from Saint Paul. In order to house them, the village had several boarding and rooming houses. An elegant hotel, the Parker House, was situated near the depot on Broadway.
A two-room schoolhouse was established in 1887, which was expanded within two years. Saint Paul Methodist College operated from 1890 to 1918, when it was closed due to reduced enrollment due to World War I.
In 1895, the ferry across the Mississippi River was replaced by the Rock Island Swing Bridge, which carried rail traffic on its upper deck and road traffic on the lower. Until 1938, the railroad operated it as a toll bridge. When the Wakota Freeway Bridge was built in the 1960s, it was closed to road traffic.
By 1900, there were three Protestant churches, and the Saint Thomas Catholic mission church began operations.
However, the turn of the century was not a good time for Saint Paul Park. The city lost many of its industries, some of its empty factories burned, the village lost much of its population.
By the 1930s, the village began to grow again. A commercial district began to develop along Broadway and Second Streets. A bakery, blacksmith shop, confectionery, a doctor's office, three grocery stores, and a livery stable were opened. A new post office and a large opera house were built.
Saint Paul Park wasn't without industries either. The Northwest Refining Company opened in 1936 and built its first refinery in 1939, which later became Marathon Ashland Petroleum Company. In addition, a sausage factory opened in one of the empty factory buildings. Today, a major industry in Saint Paul Park is the St. Paul Park Refinery, owned by Western Refinery.
The village became a city in 1974 when the Minnesota Legislature made all of the state's incorporated municipalities cities.
Except for a 122.4% growth in population between 1940 and 1950, Saint Paul Park has experienced slow but steady growth, its only decline since 1910 being the decade of 1970 to 1980. Although it began as an industrial community, today it is more of a residential community.
The focus of this category is on the city of Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal government or any local businesses, industries, schools, churches, organizations, or individuals are appropriate for this category.
 
 
Recommended Resources
Established in the 1880s, Saint Paul Park is today largely a residential community. The official municipal website offers a profile and brief history of the city and introduces its departments and officials. City council agendas, minutes, city code, resolutions, policies, and comprehensive plan are published. City services and facilities are highlighted, and a calendar of events are posted to the site.
http://stpaulpark.org/
Offering a selection of pre-owned cars and trucks, the car lot is located on Main Street, Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Featured vehicles are highlighted on its site’s index page, and its inventory may be browsed by make, type, or price range. Each car is pictured, and details, such as mileage and estimated miles per gallon, are specified, along with the asking price. Customer testimonials are posted to the site.
https://www.eastside-auto.com/
Located in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, Great Northern features 8,400 square feet of gym space, offering gymnastics training for boys and girls in Saint Paul Park, Cottage Grove, and the surrounding region. Its recreational classes, boys and girls teams, hosted meets, and results are featured, along with a calendar of events, news and announcements, location, and contact information.
https://www.greatnortherngymnastics.com/
Originally known as Willie’s Hidden Harbor, the marina is located on the Mississippi River in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Directions to the marina are given, along with an overview of the facilities, its services, and products. Boats available for sale are highlighted, with photos, descriptions, and prices. A boating price list, slip contract, announcements, and contacts are featured. Also included is a FAQ.
http://www.thehiddenharbor.com/
Meeting at their facilities on Chicago Avenue in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, the congregation meets each Sunday morning and Wednesday evening. Weekly schedules, a calendar of events, and an introduction to its pastors are put forth. Administrative contacts and office hours are provided, and their ministries and projects are defined. Other resources include a photo gallery and announcements.
http://www.hhofchurch.org/
PES is a campus of the South Washington County Schools Independent School District #833, and located in Selby Avenue in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Serving students in PK-5th grade, grade-specific information is put forth, and its music, physical education, art, and reading programs are discussed. Other resources include student and parent resources, school policies, and a school profile.
http://pes.sowashco.org/
Richard Dingle American Legion Post 98
Affiliated with the American Legion, a US veteran’s association, Post 98 is located in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. The location and a history of the Post are put forth, along with membership information, a list of officers, contacts, meeting schedules, announcements, and a calendar of events. A photo gallery is displayed, and its projects and sponsored organizations and activities are included. Hall rental policies are specified.
http://www.post98.org/
St. Paul Park Athletic Association
The SPPAA is a volunteer-based organization that provides athletic activities for the children of Saint Paul Park, Minnesota. Registration schedules and fees are posted on the site, and participants must register online. Scholarships may be available. Its sports programs, which include baseball, softball, soccer, and football, are highlighted, and a calendar of events is posted to the site. Bylaws, meeting minutes, and job opportunities are posted.
https://www.sppaa.com/
Part of the historic Hidden Harbor Marina, on the banks of the Mississippi River, in Saint Paul Park, Minnesota, the sports bar and grill features hamburgers, sandwiches, wraps, pizzas, and other cuisine, and also offers catering services for weddings, retirement parties, graduation parties, birthday parties, reunions, and other events. Its location, hours, menu, special offers, and a calendar of events are included.
http://www.tavern829.com/