Minneapolis Real Estate

ST. PAUL REAL ESTATE

 

Saint Paul is the capital and second most populous city in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The city lies on the north bank of the Mississippi River, downstream of the river's confluence with the Minnesota River, and adjoins Minneapolis, the state's largest city. Known as the Twin Cities, these two cities form the core of Minneapolis-Saint Paul, the sixteenth largest metropolitan area in the United States, with about 3.2 million residents. The city's population at the 2000 census was 287,151. Saint Paul serves as the county seat of Ramsey County, the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota.

 

Founded near historic Native American settlements as a trading and transportation center, the city rose to prominence when it was named the capital of the Minnesota Territory in 1849. Though Minneapolis is more nationally recognized, Saint Paul contains important institutions and the state's political activity. Regionally, the city is popular for the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild, and for the Science Museum of Minnesota.[6][7] As a business hub of the Upper Midwest, it is headquarters for companies such as The Travelers Companies and Lawson Software.

 

The settlement originally began at present-day Lambert's Landing but was referred to as Pig's Eye's Landing, when Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant established a popular tavern there. When Minnesota became a territory in 1849, the town's leadership realized that a place called Pig's Eye might not inspire civic confidence, and incorporated the city's name as Saint Paul after the former Saint Paul's Chapel.

 

Saint Paul history and the city's growth as a landing port are tied to water. The city's defining physical characteristic, the Mississippi and connecting Minnesota Rivers were carved into the region during the last ice age. Fed by receding glaciers and Lake Agassiz ten thousand years ago, torrents of water from a glacial river undercut the river valleys. 

 

The Mississippi River forms a municipal boundary on part of the city's west, southwest and southeast sides. Minneapolis, the state's largest city lies to the west; Falcon Heights, Lauderdale, Roseville, and Maplewood are north; Maplewood is also to the east; the cities of West Saint Paul and South Saint Paul are to the south; and Lilydale, Mendota and Mendota Heights lie across the river from the city to the south. The city's largest lakes are Pig's Eye Lake, in the river, Lake Phalen, and Lake Como. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 56.2 square miles (145.5 km²). 52.8 square miles (136.7 km²) of it is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km²) of it (6.07%) is water.

 

In winter months, Saint Paul is active with the Saint Paul Winter Carnival, a tradition originating from 1886 when a New York reporter called Saint Paul "another Siberia." Attended by 350,000 visitors annually, the event showcases ice sculpting, winter food, activities, and an ice palace. Year round the Como Zoo and Conservatory and adjoining zoo and Japanese Garden are popular. The historic Landmark Center located in downtown Saint Paul hosts cultural and arts organizations. The city's notable recreation locations include Indian Mounds Park, Battle Creek Regional Park, Harriet Island Regional Park, Highland Park, the Wabasha Street Caves, Lake Como, Lake Phalen, and Rice Park, as well as several areas abutting the Mississippi River.

 

The city is associated with the Minnesota State Fair located in nearby Falcon Heights as the fair grounds are just north of the Midway neighborhood and southeast of the University of Minnesota Saint Paul Campus. Though Fort Snelling is on the Minneapolis side of the Mississippi River bluff, the area including Fort Snelling State Park and Pike Island is managed by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources headquartered in the city.

 

Saint Paul is the birthplace of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz (Peanuts) who lived in Merriam Park from infancy until early 1960. Schulz' Snoopy cartoon inspired decorated giant Peanuts sculptures around the city, a chamber of commerce promotion in the late 1990s. Other notables include playwright August Wilson who lived in the city from 1978 until 1990. He wrote much of his decalogue of plays about the African-American experience in the 20th century during this time, premiering at the Penumbra Theatre. Other 20th century notables include renowned painter LeRoy Neiman and photographer John Vachon.
 
The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater productions and the Minnesota Opera is a founding tenant.[66] RiverCentre, attached to Xcel Energy Center, serves as the city's convention center. The city has contributed to the music of Minnesota and the Twin Cities music scene through various venues. Great jazz musicians have passed through the influential Artists' Quarter, first established in the 1970s in Whittier, Minneapolis until it moved to downtown Saint Paul in 1994. The Turf Club in Midway has been a music scene landmark since the 1940s. As an Irish stronghold, the city boasts popular Irish pubs with live music such as Shamrocks and O'Gara's. The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is the nation's only full-time professional chamber orchestra.[69] The Minnesota Centennial Showboat on the Mississippi River began in 1958 with Minnesota's first centennial celebration.

 

Saint Paul hosts a number of museums including the University of Minnesota's Goldstein Museum of Design; The Minnesota Children's Museum; The Schubert Club Museum of Musical Instruments; The Minnesota Museum of American Art; The Traces Center for History and Culture; The Minnesota History Center; The Alexander Ramsey House; The James J. Hill House; The Minnesota Transportation Museum; The Science Museum of Minnesota; and The Twin City Model Railroad Museum.