Local Author Writes the History of West 7th
Joe Landsberger has always been a student of West 7th history. Now he’s sharing some of that long-held, and much researched, knowledge with the rest of the community.
“Origin Story of Fort Road/West Seventh Street, the Township/City of SaintPaul, the Territory/State of Minnesota, Glacial Age Forward,” his new book on the history of the area, is available for purchase now.
The book tracks the progression of the area, from the geography, to the earliest immigrants to St. Paul landing here, up through the present.
“The Challenge I have is there are too many themes,” Landsberger said.
He said that new immigrants to the area building the neighborhood and the flurry of activity reviving the neighborhood in the1970s are major topics, but so are the geography and architecture of the area.
The book clocks in at a little over 400 pages, with a full color centerfold dedicated to the brick work of the buildings along West 7th.
“It’s a little over the top at over 400 pages,” Landsberger said.
That said, being one of the oldest settled areas of the state, there is a lot of history to cover.
The book itself is in final production and Lansberger is taking orders now. There are two versions he is making available, a hardcover and softcover editions. For each copy sold, a second copy will be donated to public entities, primarily libraries and schools.
Additionally, all proceeds benefit the Legacy Fund of the CSPS Hall, the oldest Czech Slovak hall in the U.S. and on the national historic register. Czech and Slovak Sokol Minnesota, its owner, is a registered nonprofit and dates from 1882.
Copies of “Origin Story of Fort Road/West Seventh Street, the Township/City of SaintPaul, the Territory/State of Minnesota, Glacial Age Forward” are available for $150 for the hardcover and $40 for the softcover editions.
Landsberger said that those who are interested should act quickly to purchase.
“The hardcover is about 80% sold and the softcover about 50%,” he said.
You can reserve your copy by contacting Landsberger at [email protected] and learn more about the project www.josfland.com.
