The capital of Minnesota, Saint Paul is the second-largest city in the state. When founded in the 19th century Saint Paul was known as Pig's Eye. It lies along a deep bend of the Mississippi River. Saint Paul and Minneapolis to the west are together called the Twin Cities.
Places of interest
The state Capitol, Minnesota's third, was completed in 1904. It is adorned with sculptures and murals by famous artists. In the lobby of the city hall stands a large statue called the Vision of Peace. Created by the Swedish sculptor Carl Milles, it depicts a Native American god of peace.
Saint Paul has several parks, including the indoor Town Square Park, Como Park, and the Indian Mounds Park. The Indian Mounds Park contains what are believed to be prehistoric burial grounds for Sioux Indian chiefs.
Other notable structures in the city include the Roman Catholic Cathedral of Saint Paul, and the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Landmark Center includes the restored Federal Courts Building, a courtyard, an exhibition gallery, an auditorium, and the Minnesota Museum of American Art.
- People visit an ice castle at the annual winter carnival in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
Saint Paul is the seat of the College of Saint Catherine, Hamline University, Macalester College, and other schools. Popular annual events include a winter carnival, the Macalester College Scottish Country Fair, and the Minnesota State Fair.
Economy
Saint Paul is a major financial and industrial center. Its manufactures include automobiles, electronic equipment, computers, refrigerators, construction equipment, and beer and food products. The city also has oil refineries, foundries, and printing and chemical plants.
History
In 1680 the Franciscan missionary Father Louis Hennepin passed through the area. In the early 19th century Lieutenant Zebulon Pike led an expedition to explore the headwaters of the Mississippi. He made an unofficial treaty there with the Dakota (Sioux Indians) in 1805 for possession of the region. This included the site on which the military outpost Fort Snelling was later built.
The first settlement was made in 1838 by Pierre Parrant, a French-Canadian trader. The settlement was known as Pig's Eye, which was Parrant's nickname. In 1841 Father Lucian Galtier built a log chapel dedicated to Saint Paul, which gave the place its name. In 1849 Saint Paul became the capital of the newly formed Minnesota Territory. It was incorporated as a town in 1854 and became the state capital when Minnesota was admitted to the Union in 1858.
The early prosperity of the city was due largely to the railroad. In 1862 the Saint Paul and Pacific Railroad began operations. In 1883 a great celebration marked the completion of the Northern Pacific Railway from Saint Paul to the West coast. Eleven years later the Great Northern Railway was completed with Saint Paul at the eastern end of the line. These railroad developments gave the city its name of “gateway to the great northwest.” Population (2000 census), 287,151.