Origin Stories Part the Seventh: Not in the Book’s History

In 1914 Lucy Leavenworth Wilder Morris was researching original “highways” of Minnesota and found few maps. As she investigated, she interviewed old settlers. “All at…
Origin Story, Part the Sixth: John Irvine, Granddaddy of W7 / St. Paul

While Irvine Park and Hillside commemorate John Irvine, his legendary civic role in the birth of our neighborhoods and city is somewhat neglected. Prior to…
Origin Story, Part the Fifth: The Delusion of Downtown St. Paul

There is a misconception that the City of St. Paul grew out of a downtown district. Through the 1800s nothing could be further from the…
Origin Story, Part the Fourth: Les Français arrivent avec les Ojibwés

In the 1500s eight thousand years of Dakota way of life and territorial integrity in Minnesota was challenged by European colonial powers. Following Christopher Columbus’…
In Memorium: Richard L Kutz 1949-2025

Uppertown blocks celebrate the life of their neighbor Richard Kutz. From his birth residence on the fourth floor of the Paulina Building, Leech and West…
Origin Story, Part the Fourth: Les Français arrivent avec les Ojibwés

In the 1500s eight thousand years of Dakota way of life and territorial integrity in Minnesota was challenged by European colonial powers. Following Christopher Columbus’…
Origin Story, Part the Third: Native Lands

For eight thousand years the Dakota navigated the waterways of our state in their dugout canoes. This network of streams and rivers was created by…
Origin Story, Part the Second: Deluge

Dakota historians (Westerman/White, 2012): “The relationship of a people to the lands where they live is crucial for understanding their history and culture.” But what…
Origin Stories: An Introduction

Since the 1970s the Community Reporter has been blessed with reporters, editors and board members who have documented the history of our neighborhoods in its…