Saint Paul, Minnesota

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Saint Paul
settlement_type = City
nickname = "The Capital City", "The Saintly City", "Pig's Eye"
motto = The most livable city in America.¹

---

image_



image_caption = Saint Paul on the Mississippi with the Capitol building to the right, the Minneapolis skyline in the distance, and a 19th century home in the foreground, taken from Indian Mounds Park
mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location in Ramsey County and the state of Minnesota.
image_dot_

---

dot_map_caption = Location of Saint Paul City Hall in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area
dot_x = 92
dot_y = 70
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_name1 = Minnesota
subdivision_name2 = Ramsey
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Chris Coleman (DFL)
established = Founded
established_date = 1854
area_magnitude = 1 E8
area_total_km2 = 145.5
area_total_sq_mi = 56.2
area_land_km2 = 136.7
area_land_sq_mi = 52.8
area_water_km2 = 8.8
area_water_sq_mi = 3.4
population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes = GR|2
population_total = 287151
population_metro = 3502891
population_density_km2 = 2100.6
population_density_sq_mi = 5438
timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 55101–55175
area_code = 651
latd = 44
latm = 56
lats = 38.76
latNS = N
longd = 93
longm = 05| longs = 34.08
longEW = W
longs=6.72
elevation_m = 214
elevation_ft = 702
website = [http://www.stpaul.gov/ www.stpaul.gov]
footnotes =¹Current as of July 30, 2008. [cite web | title = The City of Saint Paul – Official Website | publisher = The City of Saint Paul | year = 2008 | url = http://www.stpaul.gov/ | accessdate = 2008-07-30]

Saint Paul (IPA-en|seɪnt ˈpɔːl, abbreviated St. 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.GR|2 Saint Paul serves as the county seat of Ramsey County, the smallest and most densely populated county in Minnesota.cite web | title = Ramsey County | work = Metro MSP | publisher = Minneapolis Regional Chamber Development Foundation | year = 2008 | url = http://www.metromsp.org/Communities/ramsey.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-30]

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. [cite news|url=http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_10153749|title=Pawlenty is latest to make Minneapolis blunder about RNC's location|author=Bill Salisbury|publisher=Pioneer Press|date=2008-08-10|accessdate=2008-08-15] Regionally, the city is popular for the Xcel Energy Center, home of the Minnesota Wild,cite news|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2000/12/17/sports/main257971.shtml|title= Stars Can't Go Home Again |author=Associated Press|publisher=CBS Sports |year=2000 | accessdate = 2008-07-30] and for the Science Museum of Minnesota. [cite web|url=http://www.history.com/encyclopedia.do?articleId=226541|title=Some Notable U.S. Museums.|publisher=The History Channel | year=2008] [cite press release | title = National Science Foundation Selects Museum of Science, Boston to Head $20 Million Network for Public Engagement with Nanotechnology | publisher = Materials Research Society | year = 2008 | url = http://www.mrs.org/s_mrs/doc.asp?CID=6841&DID=177311 | accessdate = ] As a business hub of the Upper Midwest, it is headquarters for companies such as The Travelers Companies and Lawson Software. [cite web|url=http://www.capitalcitypartnership.com/stpaulmrkt/work.shtml|title=A City Where People Work|author=Capital City Partnership|publisher=Capital City Partnership|year=2006|accessdate=2008-08-15]

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.cite book | last = Schaper | first = Julie | coauthors = Horwitz, Steven | title = Twin Cities Noir | publisher = Akashic Books | year = 2006 | location = New York, New York | pages = 16 | url = http://books.google.com/books?id=9Yvi60c2Ax0C | isbn = 1888451971 |accessdate=2008-07-28] ]

History

Burial mounds in present-day Indian Mounds Park suggest the area was originally inhabited by the Hopewell Native Americans about 2000 years ago.cite web| last = Trimble| first = Steve| title = A SHORT HISTORY OF INDIAN MOUNDS PARK| work = Neighborhood Pride Celebration| publisher = daytonsbluff.org| date = July 2, 2000| url = http://www.daytonsbluff.org/old/AShortHistoryofMoundsPark.html| accessdate = 2006-12-07] [cite web| title = Indian Mounds Park| work = Mississippi National River and recreation Area| publisher = National Park Service| url = http://www.nps.gov/archive/miss/maps/model/mounds.html| accessdate = 2006-12-07] From the early 17th century until 1837 the Mdewakanton Dakota, a tribe of the Sioux, lived near the mounds after fleeing their ancestral home of Mille Lacs Lake from advancing Ojibwe.cite web|url=http://www.ci.bloomington.mn.us/main_top/2_facilities/rec_facility/pond/signs/dakota_life/dakota_life.htm|title=Dakota Life|author=Mark Morrison|publisher=City of Bloomington|year=2008] They called the area "I-mni-za ska dan" ("little white rock") from the exposed white sandstone cliffs. [cite book|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=kKgqAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA197&lpg=PA197&dq=imniza+ska&source=web&ots=kl9L2BQOR0&sig=2PSPCPvrmZHgkBnS05ucFbTYBtI&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=1&ct=result|title=A Dakota-English Dictionary|author=Stephen Return Riggs, James Owen Dorsey|publisher=University of Michigan|year=1892|accessdate=2008-07-30] cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/miss/planyourvisit/lambland.htm|title=Lambert's Landing|publisher=National Park Services|date=2006-07-27|accessdate=2008-07-28]

Following the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, a U.S. Army officer named Zebulon Pike negotiated for approximately convert|100000|acre|km2 sqmi|lk=on of land from the local Dakota tribes in 1805 for the establishment of a fort. The territory was located on both banks of the Mississippi River starting from Saint Anthony Falls in present-day Minneapolis to the confluence with the Saint Croix River. [cite web|url=http://www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/exhibits/territory/territory/treaty/treaty4.html|title=The Treaty Story|publisher=Minnesota History Center|year=1999] Fort Snelling was built on the territory in 1819 at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, which formed a natural barrier to both Native American nations. The 1837 Treaty with the Sioux ceded all local tribal land east of the Mississippi to the U.S. Government. [cite web|url=http://www.dlncoalition.org/dln_nation/1837_treaty.htm|title=Treaty with the Sioux, 1837|publisher=Dakota-Lakota-Nakota Nations|date=2005-02-12|accessdate=2008-07-30] Taoyateduta (Chief Little Crow V) moved his band at Kaposia across the river to the south. [cite web|url=http://www.dakotahistory.org/county/ssp.asp|title=Kaposia Village Site|publisher=Dakota County Historical Society|year=2005|accessdate=2008-07-30] [citation | editor-last=Kappler | editor-first=Charles J., Washington: Government Printing Office | title= Indian Affairs: Laws and Treaties | volume= II (Treaties, 1778-1883) | date=1904 | publisher= Oklahoma State University Library. and cite web | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/sio0493.htm#mn1 | title=Treaty with the Sioux | date=1837-09-29 and cite web | title=Treaty with the Sioux—Sisseton and Wahpeton Bands | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/sio0588.htm | date=1851-07-23 and cite web | title=Treaty With the Sioux—Mdewakanton and Wapahkoota Bands | url=http://digital.library.okstate.edu/kappler/Vol2/treaties/sio0591.htm | date=1851-08-05|accessdate=2007-06-26] Fur traders, explorers, and missionaries came to the area for the fort's protection. Many of the settlers were French Canadians and lived nearby. However, as a whiskey trade flourished, military officers banned settlers from the fort-controlled lands. Pierre "Pig's Eye" Parrant, a retired fur trader-turned-bootlegger who particularly irritated officials, set up his tavern, the Pig's Eye, near present-day Lambert's Landing. By the early 1840s, the community had become important as a trading center and a destination for settlers heading west. Locals called the area "Pig's Eye" (French: "L'œil du Cochon") or "Pig's Eye Landing" after Parrant's popular tavern.

In 1841, Father Lucien Galtier was sent to minister to the Catholic French Canadians and established a chapel on the bluffs above Lambert's Landing named for his favorite saint, Paul the Apostle. [cite web|url=http://www.cathedralsaintpaul.org/about/history.asp|title=Overview of the Cathedral|publisher=Cathedral of Saint Paul|year=2004] [cite web|url=http://mnaatf.org/LucienGaltierPMougel.pdf|title=Catholicisme dans le Midwest Lucien Galtier et l’origine du nom de la capitale du Minnesota|author=Patricia Mougel, Dept. of French and Italian, University of Minnesota |publisher=REFLETS de l'étoile du nord, Vol. 27, No. 3|date=2007-06|language= French | accessdate=2008-07-28|format=PDF] Galtier intended for the settlement to adopt the name Saint Paul in honor of the new chapel. In 1847 a New York educator named Harriet Bishop moved to the area and opened the city's first school.cite book| last =Gilman| first =Rhonda R.| title =The Story of Minnesota's Past| publisher =Minnesota Historical Society Press| year =1989| location =Saint Paul, Minnesota| pages =99-104| isbn =0-87351-267-7] The Minnesota Territory was formalized in 1849 and Saint Paul named as capital. In 1857, the territorial legislature voted to move the capital to Saint Peter. However, Joe Rolette, a territorial legislator, stole the physical text of the approved bill and went into hiding, thus preventing the move. [cite web | title = Rolette, Jr., Joseph "Joe" | work =Minnesota Legislators Past & Present | publisher = Minnesota Legislature|url=http://www.leg.state.mn.us/legdb/fulldetail.asp?ID=14571|accessdate=2008-07-30] On May 11, 1858, Minnesota was admitted to the union as the thirty-second state with Saint Paul as the capital.

That year, more than 1,000 steamboats were in service at Saint Paul, making the city a gateway for settlers to the Minnesota frontier or Dakota Territory. Natural geography was a primary reason the city became a landing. The area was the last accessible point to unload boats coming upriver due to the Mississippi River valley's stone bluffs. During this period, Saint Paul was called "The Last City of the East." James J. Hill constructed and expanded his network of railways into the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway, which were headquartered in Saint Paul. Today they are the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway.Cite web|url=http://www.oah.org/pubs/nl/2007feb/wingerd.html|title=Separated at Birth: The Sibling Rivalry of Minneapolis and St. Paul|accessdate=2007-11-19|publisher=Organization of American Historians|author=Mary Lethert Wingerd]

On August 20, 1904, severe thunderstorms and tornadoes damaged hundreds of downtown buildings causing USD $1.78 million (1904) in damages in the city and ripping spans from the High Bridge.cite web | title = ST. PAUL, MINNEAPOLIS AND OTHER CITIES IN MINNESOTA SUFFER FROM GALE. | publisher = GenDisasters.com | url = http://www.gendisasters.com/data1/mn/tornadoes/stpaul-minneapolis-tornado-aug1904.htm | accessdate = 2008-03-28] In the 1960s during urban renewal, Saint Paul razed western neighborhoods close to downtown. [cite web|url=http://www.publicartstpaul.org/wpna_pdfs/urbandesign.pdf|title=Urban Design and Planning Studies Affecting the Western Park Neighborhood, Saint Paul, Minnesota|author=Regina M. Flanagan|publisher=Art • Landscape • Design, Saint Paul, Minnesota|date=2004-05-06|accessdate=2008-08-03|format=PDF] The city also contended with creation of the interstate freeway system in a fully built landscape. [cite web|url=http://www.mnhs.org/library/tips/history_topics/112rondo.html|title=Rondo Neighborhood & the Building of I-94|year=2008|publisher=Minnesota Historical Society] From 1959 to 1961, the western Rondo neighborhood was obliterated by the construction of Interstate 94 and brought attention to racial segregation and unequal housing in northern cities. [cite web|url=http://www.jstor.org/pss/273848|title=The Effects of a Freeway Displacement on Racial Housing Segregation in a Northern City|author=F. James Davis|publisher=Clark Atlanta University] [cite web|url=http://www.phillipsfnd.org/documents/2006_annual_report.pdf|title=The Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation Annual Report|publisher=Jay & Rose Phillips Family Foundation|year=2006|accessdate=2008-08-03|format=PDF] The Rondo Days celebration annually commemorates the African American community. [cite web|url=http://www.rondoaveinc.org/history.html|title=Rondo Days official site|publisher=Rondo Avenue Inc.|accessdate=2008-08-03]

Downtown had short skyscraper booms beginning in the 1970s. The tallest buildings were constructed in the late 1980s such as Galtier Plaza (Jackson and Sibley Towers), The Pointe of Saint Paul condominiums, and the city's tallest building Wells Fargo Place (formerly Minnesota World Trade Center). [cite web|url=http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/ci/bu/?id=102508|title=Tallest skyscrapers of Saint Paul|publisher=Emporis|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-15] The 1990s to 2000s continued the tradition of ushering in new immigrant groups. As of 2004, nearly 10% of the city's population were recent Hmong immigrants from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. [cite web| title = Hmong Refugee Resettlement| publisher = Minnesota Council of Non-Profits| url = http://www.mncn.org/hmongbriefing.htm| accessdate =2008-03-28]

Geography

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. [cite web| title= Mississippi: River Facts| publisher= U.S. National Park Service| date= 2006-08-14| url= http://www.nps.gov/miss/riverfacts.htm] The city is situated in east-central Minnesota.

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. [cite web| title= St. Paul QuickFacts| publisher= U.S. Census Bureau | date= 2008-07-28| url= http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27/2758000.html]

Neighborhoods

Saint Paul's Department of Planning and Economic Development divides Saint Paul into 17 Planning Districts, created in 1979 to allow neighborhoods to participate in governance and utilize Community Development Block Grants. With a funding agreement directly from the city, the councils share a pool of funds. [Citation | last =Medcalf | first =Myron P. | title =St. Paul's neighborhood councils scrutinize their financial status | newspaper =Star Tribune| pages =B4 Local | date =2007-09-11 | url = http://docs.newsbank.com/g/GooglePM/MN/lib00172,11997057F135EA68.html ] The councils have significant land-use control, a voice in guiding development, and they organize residents. [cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/index.asp?nid=1859|title=District Councils|publisher=City of Saint Paul|year=2008] The boundaries are adjusted depending on population changes, as such, they sometimes overlap established neighborhoods.Cite web|url=http://www.cpn.org/topics/community/stpaul.html|title=Saint Paul Participation|accessdate=2007-11-10|publisher=Citizen Participation Project |work=Citizen Participation Project Case Studies ]

The city's seventeen Planning Districts are:
* 1. Sunray-Battlecreek-Highwood
* 2. Greater East Side
* 3. West Side
* 4. Dayton's Bluff
* 5. Payne-Phalen
* 6. North End
* 7. Thomas Dale (Frogtown)
* 8. Summit-University
* 9. West Seventh
* 10. Como
* 11. Hamline-Midway
* 12. Saint Anthony Park
* 13. Union Park
* 14. Macalester-Groveland
* 15. Highland (Highland Park)
* 16. Summit Hill
* 17. Downtown

Climate

Saint Paul has a continental climate typical of the Upper Midwestern United States. Winters can be cold and dry, while summer is comfortably warm although at times it can be hot and humid. On the Köppen climate classification, Saint Paul falls in the warm summer humid continental climate zone ("Dfa"). The city experiences a full range of precipitation and related weather events, including snow, sleet, ice, rain, thunderstorms, tornadoes and fog.

Due to its northerly location in the United States and lack of large bodies of water to moderate the air, Saint Paul is sometimes subjected to cold Arctic air masses, especially during late December, January and February. The average annual temperature of 45.4 °F (7 °C) gives the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area the coldest annual mean temperature of any major metropolitan area in the continental U.S. [45.4 °F for 1971 through 2000 per [http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/tables/07s0378.xls U.S. Census] who cites cite web| publisher= National Climatic Data Center| title= Normals 1971–2000| url= http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/online/ccd/nrmavg.txt| date= | accessdate= 2007-03-25 or convert|44.6|°F|°C|abbr=on per cite web| author= Fisk, Charles| url= http://home.att.net/~minn_climo/| title= Minneapolis-Saint Paul Area Daily Climatological History of Temperature, Precipitation, and Snowfall, A Year-by-Year Graphical Portrayal (1820–Present)| date= March 3 2007| accessdate= 2007-03-25]

Infobox Weather
single_line=yes
location = Saint Paul, Minnesota
Jan_Hi_°F = 23 |Jan_REC_Hi_°F = 57
Feb_Hi_°F = 30 |Feb_REC_Hi_°F = 59
Mar_Hi_°F = 42 |Mar_REC_Hi_°F = 83
Apr_Hi_°F = 58 |Apr_REC_Hi_°F = 93
May_Hi_°F = 71 |May_REC_Hi_°F = 93
Jun_Hi_°F = 79 |Jun_REC_Hi_°F = 100
Jul_Hi_°F = 83 |Jul_REC_Hi_°F = 105
Aug_Hi_°F = 81 |Aug_REC_Hi_°F = 103
Sep_Hi_°F = 72 |Sep_REC_Hi_°F = 95
Oct_Hi_°F = 59 |Oct_REC_Hi_°F = 88
Nov_Hi_°F = 41 |Nov_REC_Hi_°F = 75
Dec_Hi_°F = 27 |Dec_REC_Hi_°F = 66
Jan_Lo_°F = 6 |Jan_REC_Lo_°F = -29
Feb_Lo_°F = 13 |Feb_REC_Lo_°F = -32
Mar_Lo_°F = 24 |Mar_REC_Lo_°F = -25
Apr_Lo_°F = 36 |Apr_REC_Lo_°F = 3
May_Lo_°F = 48 |May_REC_Lo_°F = 21
Jun_Lo_°F = 58 |Jun_REC_Lo_°F = 36
Jul_Lo_°F = 63 |Jul_REC_Lo_°F = 45
Aug_Lo_°F = 61 |Aug_REC_Lo_°F = 42
Sep_Lo_°F = 52 |Sep_REC_Lo_°F = 26
Oct_Lo_°F = 40 |Oct_REC_Lo_°F = 15
Nov_Lo_°F = 26 |Nov_REC_Lo_°F = -14
Dec_Lo_°F = 12 |Dec_REC_Lo_°F = -29

Jan_Precip_inch = 1.02
Feb_Precip_inch = 0.78
Mar_Precip_inch = 1.92
Apr_Precip_inch = 2.54
May_Precip_inch = 3.73
Jun_Precip_inch = 4.98
Jul_Precip_inch = 4.41
Aug_Precip_inch = 4.37
Sep_Precip_inch = 3.20
Oct_Precip_inch = 2.51
Nov_Precip_inch = 2.09
Dec_Precip_inch = 1.04
source =The Weather Channel cite web | url = http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USMN0664 | title = Seasonal Temperature and Precipitation Information | accessdate = 2008-07-28 | publisher = The Weather Channel ]
accessdate = 2008-07-28

Demographics

Historical populations
title = U.S. Census
align = right
width = 200
percentages = off
1860 | 10,401
1870 | 20,030
1880 | 41,473
1890 | 133,156
1900 | 163,065
1910 | 214,744
1920 | 234,698
1930 | 271,606
1940 | 287,736
1950 | 311,349
1960 | 313,411
1970 | 309,980
1980 | 270,230
1990 | 272,235
2000 | 287,151The earliest known inhabitants from about 400 A.D. were members of the Hopewell tradition who buried their dead in mounds (now Indian Mounds Park) on the bluffs above the river. The next known inhabitants were the Mdewakanton Dakota in the 17th century who fled their ancestral home of Mille Lacs Lake in northern Minnesota in response to westward expansion of the Ojibwe nation. The Ojibwe would later occupy the north (east) bank of the Mississippi River.

By 1800, French Canadian explorers came through the region and attracted fur traders to the area. Fort Snelling and nearby Pig's Eye Tavern also brought the first Yankees from New England and English, Irish, and Scottish immigrants who had enlisted in the army and settled nearby after discharge. These early settlers and entrepreneurs built houses on the heights north of the river. The first wave of immigration came with the Irish who settled at Connemara Patch along the Mississippi, named for their home in Connemara Ireland. The Irish would become prolific in politics, city governance, and public safety much to the chagrin of the Germans and French who had grown into the majority. In 1850, the first of many waves of Swedish immigrants passed through Saint Paul on their way to farming communities in northern and western regions of the territory. A large group settled in Swede Hollow which would later become home to Poles, Italians and Mexicans. The last Swedish presence had moved up Saint Paul's East Side along Payne Avenue in the 1950s. [cite web|url=http://www.macalester.edu/geography/courses/geog241/twincities/resident/swedehollow/swedes.htm|title=From Swede Hollow to Arlington Hills, From Snoose Boulevard to Minnehaha Parkway: Swedish Neighborhoods of the Twin Cities|year=2001|author=David A. Lanegran, Ph.D.|publisher=Macalester College|accessdate=2008-07-28] In terms of people who specified European ancestry in the 2000 Census, the city was 21.5% (73,265) German, 10.8% (36,699) Irish and 7.0% (24,035) Norwegian ancestry with almost all other European ancestries represented. [cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF3_U_PCT018&-tree_id=4001&-redoLog=false&-all_geo_types=N&-geo_id=16000US2758000&-search_results=16000US2758000&-format=&-_lang=en|title=American FactFinder PCT18. ANCESTRY (TOTAL CATEGORIES TALLIED) FOR PEOPLE WITH ONE OR MORE ANCESTRY CATEGORIES REPORTED|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|year=2000|accessdate=2008-08-05]

By the 1980s, the Thomas Dale area, once a Austro-Hungarian enclave known as Frogtown (German: "Froschburg"), became home to Vietnamese who left their war-torn country. Soon after a settlement program for the Hmong diaspora came and by 2000, the Saint Paul Hmong were the largest urban contingent in the United States. [cite web|url=http://www.rchs.com/neighborhoods/frogtown.htm|title= District 7: Thomas-Dale or Frogtown |publisher=Ramsey County Historical Society|year=2005] [cite web|url=http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-11-29-hmong-closerlook_x.htm|date=2004-11-29|title=Hmong get closer look since shootings|author=By Tom Kenworthy|publisher=USA Today] [cite web | title =Hmong Resettlement Revisited | publisher =Bridging Refugee Youth and Children’s Services | month =June | year =2004 | url =http://www.brycs.org/brycs_spotjune04.htm | accessdate =2007-11-04 ] Mexican immigrants have settled in Saint Paul's West Side since the 1930s, and have grown enough that Mexico opened a foreign consulate in the 2005. [cite web | title =Saint Paul Ethnic Population Growth | publisher =City of Saint Paul | url =http://www.ci.stpaul.mn.us/index.asp?NID=2020 | accessdate =2007-11-06 ] [cite news|author=Bianca Vazquez Toness|title=Mexican consulate opens in June|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|date=2005-05-24|url=http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2005/05/20_tonessb_consulate/|accessdate =2007-11-06]

The majority of residents claiming religious affiliation are Christian, split between the Roman Catholic Church and various Protestant denominations. The Roman Catholic presence comes from Irish, German, Scottish, and French Canadian settlers who in time would be bolstered by Hispanic immigrants. There are Jewish synagogues such as Mount Zion Temple and relatively small populations of Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists, and Pagans.Fact|date=August 2008

As of the 2000 U.S. Census,GR|2 there were 287,151 people, 112,109 households, and 60,987 families residing in the city.cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/27/2758000.html|title=Saint Paul city QuickFacts|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|date=2008-07-25|accessdate=2008-08-05] The racial makeup of the city was 67.02% White, 11.71% African American, 1.13% Native American, 12.36% Asian (mostly Hmong and Vietnamese), 0.07% Pacific Islander, 3.84% from other races, and 3.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race (incl. white) were 7.91% of the population. The median income for a household in the city was $38,774. About 15.6% of the population were living below the poverty line.

Economy

The Minneapolis-Saint Paul-Bloomington area employs 1,570,700 people in the private sector as of July 2008, 82.43 percent of which work in private service providing-related jobs. [cite web | title = Databases, Tables & Calculators by Subject | work = Bureau of Labor Statistics | publisher = U.S. Department of Labor | date = 2008-08-26 | url = http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/servlet/SurveyOutputServlet;jsessionid=f030f2337f5b$3F$3F$3 | accessdate = 2008-08-26 This data may not be directly reproducible via this link. http://data.bls.gov/PDQ/outside.jsp?survey=sm, Select "27 Minnesota" and "33460 Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI" and all subsectors.]

Major corporations headquartered in Saint Paul include The Travelers Companies, a major insurance firm,cite news | title = The St. Paul Cos. and Travelers Property Casualty to Merge | work = Insurance Journal | publisher = Wells Publishing, Inc. | date = 2003-11-17 | url = http://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2003/11/17/34206.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-30] Ecolab, a chemical and cleaning product company [cite news | last = Orrick | first = Dave | title = Downtown goal: Fill storefronts — at least for now | work = Pioneer Press | publisher = MediaNews Group | date = 2008-07-28 | url = http://www.twincities.com/allheadlines/ci_10021824 | accessdate = 2008-07-30] which was named in 2008 by the "Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal" as the eighth best place to work in the Twin Cites for companies with 1,000 full-time Minnesota employees, [cite news | last = Johnson | first = Kim | title = Business Journal names Best Places to Work | work = Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal | publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc. | date = 2008-08-20 | url = http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/08/11/daily30.html?surround=lfn | accessdate = 2008-08-26] Securian Financial Group Inc., [ cite news | last = Abbe | first = Mary | title = Same old struggles at the MMAA | work = Star Tribune | pages = 3 | publisher = Chris Harte | date = 2008-07-21 | url = http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/art/25873384.html | accessdate = 2008-07-21] Lawson Software, a business software and support company, [cite news | last = Grayson | first = Katharine | title = Lawson CEO earned $2.49M in 2007 | work = Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal | publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc. | date = 2007-09-14 | url = http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2007/09/10/daily41.html | accessdate = 2008-08-26] and Gander Mountain, a retailer of sporting goods which operates 115 stores in 23 states. [cite news | last = Lavrusik | first = Vadim | title = Gander Mountain pitches blue guns at boys | work = Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal | publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc. | date = 2008-07-03 | url = http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/06/30/daily37.html | accessdate = 2008-08-26]

The 3M Company is often cited as one of Saint Paul's companies though it is located in adjacent Maplewood, Minnesota. 3M employees 16,000 people throughout Minnesota. [cite news | last = Wyant | first = Carissa | title = 3M to cut hundreds of jobs in coming months | work = Minneapolis / St. Paul Business Journal | publisher =American City Business Journals, Inc. | date = 2008-08-14 | url = http://twincities.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/08/11/daily26.html?surround=lfn | accessdate = 2008-08-26] St. Jude Medical, a manufacturer of medical devices, is directly across the municipal border of Saint Paul in Little Canada [cite news | last = Moore | first = Janet | title = St. Jude Medical's product sales appear recession-proof | work = Star Tribune | publisher = Chris Harte | date = 2008-07-16 | url = http://www.startribune.com/business/25540959.html | accessdate = 2008-07-30] though the companies address is listed in Saint Paul. [cite web | title = Locations | work = About St. Jude Medical | publisher = St. Jude Medical, Inc. | year = 2008 | url = http://www.sjm.com/companyinformation/aboutus.aspx?section=Locations | accessdate = 2008-07-30] Patterson Dental, a dental supply company, also has a Saint Paul mailing address, [cite web | title = Contact Us | publisher = Patterson Dental | year = 2008 | url = https://www.pattersondental.com/app.aspx?cmd=contact_us | accessdate = 2008-07-30] but it is located in Mendota Heights. [cite web | title = 1031 Mendota Heights Road St. Paul, MN 55120 | work = Maps | publisher = Google | year = 2008 | url = http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=1031+Mendota+Heights+Road+St.+Paul,+MN+55120&sll=44.875214,-93.148098&sspn=0.055958,0.11055&ie=UTF8&ll=44.874606,-93.147755&spn=0.027979,0.055275&z=14 | accessdate = 2008-07-30]

The city is home to the Ford Motor Company which opened the Twin Cities Assembly Plant in 1924. Recently slated for closing, Ford now expects the plant to remain open through at least 2011 despite massive corporate losses. [cite web| title = Ford grants St. Paul plant two more years| publisher = Minnesota Public Radio| url = http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/07/24/ford_plant/| accessdate =2008-07-23] The site is located in Highland Park on the Mississippi River adjacent to a company-owned dam, which generates hydroelectric power. [cite web | title = Lock and Dam 1 | work = St. Paul District | publisher = US Army Corps of Engineers | url = http://www.mvp.usace.army.mil/navigation/default.asp?pageid=145&subpageid=146 | accessdate = 2008-08-27]

Culture

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. [cite web|url=http://www.winter-carnival.com/history/|title=History of the Saint Paul Winter Carnival|year=2008|publisher=St Paul Winter Carnival] 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. [cite web| title = Fort Snelling State Park| publisher = Minnesota DNR| year = 2006| url = http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/fort_snelling/index.html| accessdate = 2006-12-07]

Saint Paul is the birthplace of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz ("Peanuts") who lived in Merriam Park from infancy until early 1960. [cite web|url=http://www.familyhistoryfiles.com/site_text/documents/hfs_peanuts.htm|title=Harry F. Schroeder, Jr. The Kid After Whom Charles M. Schulz Named His Beethoven-Loving Character in His "Peanuts" Cartoon|year=2006|publisher= Delehanty - Sullivan - Kinsman - Schroeder Family History Workspace] Schulz' Snoopy cartoon inspired decorated giant "Peanuts" sculptures around the city, a chamber of commerce promotion in the late 1990s. [http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/cgi/news/release?id=65389 Saint Paul kicks off encore to the successful 'Peanuts on Parade' summer art project] 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. [cite web|others=Prepared by Connie L. Cartledge|title=John Vachon: A Register of His Papers in the Library of Congress|url=http://www.loc.gov/rr/mss/text/vachon.html|publisher=Manuscript Division, Library of Congress|year=2006|accessdate=2007-10-10]

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts hosts theater productions and the Minnesota Opera is a founding tenant. [cite web| title = Ordway Center for the Performing Arts| publisher = Ordway Center for the Performing Arts| year = 2006| url = http://www.ordway.org| accessdate = 2006-12-07] 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. [cite web | last = Berryman | first = Don | title = Artists' Quarter | publisher = Jazz Police | date = 2004-04-21 | url = http://www.jazzpolice.com/content/view/1381/115/ | accessdate = 2008-07-30] The Turf Club in Midway has been a music scene landmark since the 1940s. [cite web | last = Gelhhar | first = Jenny | title = The Turf Club | work = Features | publisher = Saint Paul Almanac | year = 2007 | url = http://saintpaulalmanac.com/f-turf-club-st-paul.shtml | accessdate = 2008-07-30] 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. [cite web|url=http://chicagopresents.uchicago.edu/series/stpaul/|title=SAINT PAUL CHAMBER ORCHESTRA Three concerts|publisher=University of Chicago|year=2008] The Minnesota Centennial Showboat on the Mississippi River began in 1958 with Minnesota's first centennial celebration. [cite web|url=http://showboat.umn.edu/|title=Minnesota Centennial Showboat!|date=2008-07-03|publisher=University of Minnesota]

Saint Paul hosts a number of museums including the University of Minnesota's Goldstein Museum of Design; [cite web| title = Goldstein Museum of Design| work = College of Design| publisher = Regents of the University of Minnesota| year = 2008| url = http://goldstein.che.umn.edu/| accessdate = 2008-07-31] The Minnesota Children's Museum; [cite web| title = Location and Parking| work = Visitor Information| publisher = Minnesota Children's Museum| year = 2008| url = http://www.mcm.org/information.shtml#location| accessdate = 2008-07-31] The Schubert Club Museum of Musical Instruments; [cite web | title = Carlson's legacy: Schubert Club: Thanks to him, once-tiny arts group attracts top artists to Twin Cities. | work = Pioneer Press | date = 2006-07-31 | url = http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-16156728_ITM | format = registration required | accessdate = 2008-07-31] [cite web | title = Schubert Club Museum of Musical Instruments | publisher = The Schubert Club | year = 2008 | url = http://www.schubert.org/museum/ | accessdate = 2008-07-31] The Minnesota Museum of American Art; [cite news| last = Wyant | first = Carissa | title = St. Paul art museum loses director; searches for new home | work = Minneapolis St. Paul Business Journal| publisher = American City Business Journals, Inc.| date = 2008-07-26| url = http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/stories/2008/07/21/daily1.html| accessdate = 2008-07-25] [cite news | last = Abbe | first = Mary | title = Same old struggles at the MMAA | work = Star Tribune | pages = 1 | publisher = Chris Harte | date = 2008-07-21 | url = http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/art/25873384.html | accessdate = 2008-07-21] The Traces Center for History and Culture; [cite web| title = St. Paul Culture:Museums| publisher = M.R. Danielson Advertising Associates| year = 2002| url = http://saint-paul.com/display.php?section=1&sub=6| accessdate = 2006-12-07] 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.

Media

Residents of Saint Paul can receive 10 broadcast television stations, five of which broadcast from within Saint Paul. One daily newspaper, the "St. Paul Pioneer Press", two weekly neighborhood newspapers, the "East Side Review" and City Pages (Village Voice Media), and several monthly neighborhood papers serve the city. Several media outlets based in neighboring Minneapolis also serve the Saint Paul community, including the Star Tribune. And the magazine, "Saint Paul Illustrated" is published in Bloomington.

Saint Paul is home to Minnesota Public Radio, a three-format system that broadcasts on nearly 40 stations [cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/radio/stations/|title=Stations|year=2008|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|accessdate=2008-08-27] around the Midwest. MPR locally delivers news and information, classical, and The Current (which plays a wide variety of music). The station regionally has 94,000 members and more than 800,000 listeners each week throughout the Upper Midwest, the largest audience of any regional public radio network.cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/mpr/|title=Company Information|year=2008|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|accessdate=2008-08-27] Also operating as part of American Public Media, MPR's programming reaches 5 million listeners, most notably through A Prairie Home Companion hosted by Garrison Keillor, who also lives in the city. The Fitzgerald Theater, renamed in 1994 for Irish native and novelist F. Scott Fitzgerald is home to the show. [cite web|url=http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/fitzgerald_theater/|title=The Fitzgerald Theater|publisher=Minnesota Public Radio|year=2008|accessdate=2008-08-15]

Sports

The Saint Paul division of Parks and Recreation runs over 1,500 organized sports teams. [cite news | last =Schulman | first =Andrew | title =St. Paul takes SI Sportstown Honors for the Land of 10,000 Lakes | publisher =Sports Illustrated | url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/magazine/features/si50/states/minnesota/sports_town/ | accessdate =2007-10-30 ] In addition the Parks and Recreation department is responsible for 160 parks and 41 recreation centers. [Citation | last =Havens | first =Chris | title =In St. Paul, they're passionate about parks | newspaper =Star Tribune | issn =0895-2825 | pages =AA1 | date =2007-10-31 | url =http://www.startribune.com/10242/story/1518765.html | accessdate= 2007-11-04]

Saint Paul hosts a number of professional, semi-professional and amateur sports teams. The Minnesota Wild and the Minnesota Swarm both play their home game in downtown Saint Paul's Xcel Energy Center, which was built for the Wild in 2000. The Wild brought the NHL back to Minnesota for the first time since 1993, when the Minnesota North Stars left the city for Dallas, Texas. Citing the history of hockey in the Twin Cities and teams at all levels, Sports Illustrated affectionately called Saint Paul the new Hockeytown U.S.A. in 2007. [cite web|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/michael_farber/12/04/hockeytown1210/index.html|date=2007-12-04|title=In Search of... Hockeytown U.S.A.|author=Michael Farber|publisher=Sports Illustrated]

The Xcel Energy Center, a multi-purpose entertainment and sports venue, can be converted to host concerts and accommodate nearly all sporting events. The Xcel Energy Center is located on the site of the demolished Saint Paul Civic Center. The Xcel Energy Center hosts the Minnesota high school boys hockey tournament and concerts though out the year. In 2004, it was named the best overall sports venue in the U.S. by ESPN. [cite web | title =About Xcel Energy Center | publisher =Minnesota Twins | url =http://www.minnesotatwinstickets.com/venues/xcel-energy-center-tickets.php | accessdate =2007-10-30 ] Previously, the Minnesota Fighting Saints had played in Saint Paul from 1972 to 1977.

The St. Paul Saints is the city's semi-professional baseball team. Originally founded in 1884, they were shut down in 1961 after the Minnesota Twins moved to Minneapolis. The St. Paul Saints were brought back in 1993 as an independent baseball team in the Northern League of the American Association. Their home games are played at open-air Midway Stadium in Energy Park in the northwest section of the city. [cite web | title = St. Paul Baseball History| publisher = St. Paul Saints | url = http://www.saintsbaseball.com/team/history/ | accessdate = 2008-08-13] Four noted Major League All Star baseball players are natives of Saint Paul: Hall of Fame outfielder Dave Winfield, Hall of Fame infielder Paul Molitor, pitcher Jack Morris and catcher Joe Mauer. The all black St. Paul Colored Gophers played four seasons in Saint Paul from 1907 to 1911. [cite web | last =Sheldon | first =Mark | title =Colored Gophers made history| publisher =MLB.com| date =2003-02-07 | url=http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20030207&content_id=198142&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=null | accessdate =2007-10-30]

The St. Paul Twin Stars of the National Premier Soccer League play their home games at James Griffin Stadium. [cite web | title = St. Paul Twin Stars | publisher = National Premier Soccer League | url = http://npsl.myeliteclub.com/loadPage.aspx?iPage=301-48 | accessdate = 2008-08-13] The first curling club in Saint Paul was founded in 1888. The current club, the Saint Paul Curling Club, was founded in 1912 and is the largest curling club in the United States. [cite web | title =About the St. Paul Curling Club | publisher =Saint Paul Curling Club | url =http://www.stpaulcurlingclub.org/about/history.html|] The Minnesota RollerGirls are a flat-track roller derby league that is based in the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Minnesota's oldest athletic organization, the Minnesota Boat Club resides in the Mississippi River on Raspberry Island. The club has produced world-class rowers for over a century. [cite web| title = Minnesota Boat Club| url = http://www.boatclub.org/| accessdate = 2008-08-28]

The Minnesota Timberwolves, Twins, and Vikings all play in Minneapolis.

Government and politics

Saint Paul is governed via a variation of the strong mayor-council form of government.Cite web|url=http://mn-stpaul.civicplus.com/DocumentView.asp?DID=1114|title=Description of Saint Paul's Form of Government|accessdate=2007-11-10|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=2008 Mayor’s Proposed Budget|format=pdf] The mayor is the chief executive and chief administrative officer for the city and the seven member city council is the legislative body.cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/web/CityCode/ac002.html#sec2.01.|title=Sec. 2.01. Chief executive.|accessdate=2007-11-10|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=Administrative Code] Cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/web/CityCode/ch004.html#sec4.01.|title=Sec. 4.01. Legislative power.|accessdate=2007-11-11|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=Saint Paul City Charter] The mayor is elected by the entire city, while members of the city council are elected from seven different geographic wards, which have approximately equal populations.Cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/web/CityCode/ch002.html|title=Sec. 2.01. Elective officials.|accessdate=2007-11-11|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=Saint Paul City Charter] Cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/web/CityCode/ch004.html|title=Sec. 4.01.2. Initial districts.|accessdate=2007-11-10|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=Saint Paul City Charter ] Both the mayor and council members serve four-year terms.Cite web|url=http://www.stpaul.gov/code/ch002.html|title=Sec. 2.02. Terms.|accessdate=2007-11-10|publisher=City of Saint Paul|work=Saint Paul City Charter ] The current mayor is Chris Coleman (DFL), who is unrelated to former mayor Norm Coleman. Coleman follows a long line of Irish mayors and he is the ninth since 1900. Aside from Norm Coleman (1994-2002) who became a Republican in his second term, Saint Paul has not elected a Republican mayor since 1952.cite web|url=http://www.hhh.umn.edu/img/assets/23537/Twin%20Cities%20Mayoral%20Historical%20Overview.pdf|title=Twin Cities Mayoral Historical Overview|accessdate=2008-01-01|publisher=Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs|author=Eric J. Ostermeier|work=Center for the Study of Politics and Governance|format=PDF]

The city is also the county seat for Ramsey County, named for Alexander Ramsey the first state governor. The county once spanned much of the present-day metropolitan area and was originally to be named Saint Paul County after the city. Today it is geographically the smallest county and is the most densely populated. As the only home rule county in Minnesota, the seven-member Board of Commissioners appoints a county manager whose office is in the combination city hall/county courthouse along with the Minnesota Second Judicial Courts. [cite web|url=http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/cb/charter/index.htm|title= Ramsey County Home Rule Charter|publisher=Ramsey County|year=2008] [cite web|url=http://www.co.ramsey.mn.us/pm/location.asp|title= Ramsey County Building Locations|year=2008|publisher=Ramsey County] The nearby Law Enforcement Center houses the Ramsey County Sheriff's office.

State and federal

Saint Paul is the capital of the state of Minnesota. The city hosts the capitol building, designed by Saint Paul resident Cass Gilbert, and the House and Senate office buildings. The Minnesota Governor's Residence, which is used for some state functions, is on Summit Avenue. Minnesota's two major political parties are headquartered in Saint Paul. The Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, affiliated with the Democratic Party and the Republican Party of Minnesota. Many state departments and services are headquartered throughout Saint Paul such as the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The city is represented by 12 people in the Minnesota Legislature. [cite web | title = Minnesota Senate Maps & Data | work = Geographic Information Services | publisher = Minnesota State Legislature | year = 2007 | url = http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/gis/senmapdata.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-24] [cite web | title = Minnesota House Maps & Data | work = Geographic Information Services | publisher = Minnesota State Legislature | year = 2007 | url = http://www.commissions.leg.state.mn.us/gis/hsemapdata.htm | accessdate = 2008-07-24] The latest biannual election was in 2006. At the Federal level, the city is in Minnesota's 4th congressional district, represented by Betty McCollum, a Democrat. In the Senate, Minnesota is represented by Norm Coleman, now a Republican but formerly a Democratic Saint Paul mayor, and Amy Klobuchar, a former Hennepin County Attorney, a Democrat.

Note: Ellen Anderson and Alice Hausman also represent Falcon Heights.

Education

Saint Paul is second in the United States in the number of higher education institutions per capita. [cite web | last = El Nasser | first =Haya | title =Most livable? Depends on your definition | publisher =USA TODAY | date =2004-04-11 | url = http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-04-11-most-livable_x.htm| accessdate =2007-10-16] Higher education institutions that call Saint Paul home include three public and eight private colleges and universities, and five post-secondary institutions. Well-known colleges and universities include: the College of Saint Catherine, Concordia University, Hamline University, Macalester College, and the University of St. Thomas. Metropolitan State University and Saint Paul College, which focus on non-traditional students, are based in Saint Paul, as well as two law schools, William Mitchell College of Law and Hamline University School of Law. [cite web| publisher= Minnesota Department of Education| title= Post-Secondary Schools| url= http://app.education.state.mn.us/Directories/report_e8.jsp| year= 2005| accessdate= 2007-03-24]

The Saint Paul Public Schools district is the state's second largest school district and serves approximately 42,000 students. The district is extremely diverse with students from families speaking 70 different languages, although only four languages are used for most school communication. Those languages are English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali. The district runs 67 different schools including 48 elementary schools, eight middle schools, seven high schools, three alternative schools and one special education school, employing over 6,500 teachers and staff. The school district also oversees community education programs for pre-K and adult learners, including Early Childhood Family Education, GED Diploma, language programs and various learning opportunities for community members of all ages. In 2006, Saint Paul Public Schools celebrated its 150th anniversary. [cite web| title= About Us| author= Saint Paul Public Schools| url= http://www.spps.org/About_Us2.html| accessdate= 2007-06-08]

A variety of K-12 private, parochial and public charter schools are also represented in the city. In 1992, Saint Paul became the first city in the U.S. to sponsor and open a charter school, now found in most states across the nation. [cite web | title =Charter School Facts | publisher =MN Association of Charter Schools | url =http://www.mncharterschools.org/page/facts.jsp | accessdate =2007-11-06 ] Saint Paul is currently home to 21 charter schools as well as 38 private schools. [cite web| author= Minnesota Department of Education| title= Alphabetical List of Nonpublic Schools| url= http://app.education.state.mn.us/Directories/report_c14.jsp| year= 2005 and cite web| title= Charter Schools| url= http://app.education.state.mn.us/Directories/report_c11.jsp| year=2005| accessdate= 2007-06-08]

Transportation

Resident utilize Interstate 35E running north-south, and Interstate 94 running east-west. Trunk highways include U.S. Highway 52, Minnesota State Highway 280, and Minnesota State Highway 5. Saint Paul has several unique roads such as Ayd Mill Road and Shepard Road/Warner Road, which diagonally follow particular geographic features in the city. Metro Transit provides bus service and connects the city to the existing Hiawatha Line light rail via dedicated bus routes but will not have its own line, the Central Line along University Avenue until 2014. [cite web| publisher= Metropolitan Council| title= Central Corridor next steps and timeline| date= April 2 2007| url= http://www.metrocouncil.org/transportation/ccorridor/centralcorridor.htm | accessdate= 2007-04-11] Downtown Saint Paul has a five mile (8 km) enclosed skyway system over twenty-five city blocks. [cite web| author= Gill, N.S. | publisher=About, Inc., The New York Times Company | work=About.com| title= Skyways: Downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul Skyways| date= | url= http://minneapolis.about.com/od/travelweather/a/skyways.htm| accessdate= 2007-03-15] Biking is also gaining popularity due to paved bike lanes which connect to other bike routes throughout the metropolitan area. [cite web | title =Bike-n-Ride by bus | publisher =Metro Transit | url =http://www.metrotransit.org/serviceInfo/bikeByBus.asp | accessdate =2007-09-20 ]

The layout of city streets and roads has often drawn complaints. Jesse Ventura brought up the city's roadways during an appearance on the "Late Show with David Letterman" while Governor of Minnesota. [cite web | last = Khoo | first =Michael | title =The days of Jesse | publisher =Minnesota Public Radio | date =2002-12-15 | url =http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/200212/16_khoom_ventura/ | accessdate = 2007-09-16 ] Ventura later apologized for his remark that the streets had been designed by "drunken Irishmen," although people had already been complaining about the fractured grid system for more than a century by that point. [cite web |title =Gov. Ventura Stumbles | publisher =New York Times | date =1999-02-06 | url =http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B07E3DD173CF935A15751C0A96F958260&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/V/Ventura,%20Jesse | accessdate = 2007-09-16 ] Some of the city road design is the result of the curve of the Mississippi River, hilly topography, conflicts between developers of different neighborhoods in the early city, and grand plans only half-realized. Outside of downtown, the roads are less confusing, but most roads are named, rather than numbered, increasing the difficulty for non-natives to navigate. [cite book |last= L. Empson |first=Donald |title= The Street Where You Live |year= 2006 |publisher= University of Minnesota Press page| page=17 |isbn= 0-8166-4729-1 ISBN 978-0-8166-4729-3.] Due to neighborhood autonomy, some roads suddenly change names without warning.

Amtrak's Empire Builder between Chicago and Seattle stops once daily in each direction at nearby Midway Station. [cite web| publisher= Amtrak| title= St. Paul-Minneapolis, MN (MSP)| url= http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=Amtrak/am2Station/Station_Page&c=am2Station&cid=1080080551718&ssid=85 | accessdate= 2007-04-26] Ridership on the train is increasing, about 6% from 2005 to over 505,000 in fiscal year 2007.cite news | last = Sommerhauser | first = Mark | title = Mayors claim more riders should spur more service on Amtrak line | work = The Winona Daily News | publisher = Lee Enterprises | date = 2008-07-24 | url = http://www.winonadailynews.com/articles/2008/07/24/news/00lead.txt | accessdate = 2008-07-25] Increased ridership has prompted southern Minnesota leaders to plan for an expansion of Amtrak's service in the area, including an overhaul of Saint Paul's Union Station. Saint Paul is the site of the Pig's Eye Yard, a major freight Classification yard for Canadian Pacific Railway.cite book | last = Rhodes | first = Michael | title = North American Railyards | publisher = MBI Publishing Company | year = 2003 | location = Saint Paul, Minnesota | pages = 128 | url = | isbn = 0-7603-1578-7] As of 2003, the yard handled over 1,000 freight cars per day. Both Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Santa Fe run trains through yard, though they are not classified at Pig's Eye. Burlington Northern Santa Fe operates the large Northtown Yard in Minneapolis, which handles about 600 cars per day.cite book | last = Rhodes | first = Michael | title = North American Railyards | publisher = MBI Publishing Company | year = 2003 | location = Saint Paul, Minnesota | pages = 16 | url = | isbn = 0-7603-1578-7] There are several other small yards located around the city.

Saint Paul is served by the Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), which sits on 3,400 acres (14 km²) [cite web | publisher=Metropolitan Airports Commission | title= History and Mission | url= http://www.mspairport.com/mac/organization/History.aspx | accessdate=2007-06-27] southwest of the city on the west side of the Mississippi River between Minnesota State Highway 5, Interstate 494, Minnesota State Highway 77, and Minnesota State Highway 62. The airport serves three international, twelve domestic, seven charter and four regional carriers [cite web| title=A History of Minneapolis: Air Transportation| publisher=Minneapolis Public Library (mpls.lib.mn.us)| year=2001| url=http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/history/tr5.asp| accessdate=2007-02-12] and is a hub and home base for Northwest Airlines, Mesaba Airlines and Sun Country Airlines. [cite web| publisher= Air Line Pilots Association| title= Pilot Groups| url= http://www.alpa.org/?tabid=183| accessdate= 2007-03-15] Saint Paul is also served by the St. Paul Downtown Airport located just south of downtown, across the Mississippi River. The airport, also known as Holman Field, is a reliever airport, run by the Metropolitan Airports Commission. The airport houses Minnesota's Air National Guard and is tailored to local corporate aviation.Cite web|url= http://www.mspairport.com/relievers/st_paul/default.aspx|title=St. Paul Downtown Airport |accessdate=2007-11-19|publisher=Metropolitan Airports Commission] There are three runways that serve about 100 resident aircraft and a flight training school. The Holman Field Administration Building and Riverside Hangar are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Sister cities

Saint Paul has ten sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International: [cite web|url=http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/MN|title=Online Directory: Minnesota, USA|publisher= [http://www.sister-cities.org/ Sister Cities International, Inc.] |accessdate=2008-07-28]

* Changsha (China)
* Ciudad Romero (El Salvador)
* Culiacan (Mexico)
* Hadera (Israel)
* Lawaaikamp (South Africa)
* Manzanillo (Mexico)
* Nagasaki (Japan)
* Neuss (Germany)
* Novosibirsk (Russia)
* Tiberias (Israel)

Neighboring communities

Geographic Location
Centre = Saint Paul
North = Falcon Heights, Roseville, Lauderdale, Maplewood
Northeast = Maplewood
East = Maplewood
Southeast = Newport
South = Mendota Heights, West Saint Paul, South Saint Paul, Lilydale
Southwest = Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory
West = Minneapolis
Northwest = Minneapolis

---

Footnotes

External links

* [http://www.stpaul.gov/ City of Saint Paul – Official site]
* [http://www.sppl.org/ Saint Paul Public Library site]
* [http://www.stpaul.gov/parks City of Saint Paul – Department of Parks and Recreation] , a list of city parks, programming, recreation centers, opening hours and other information.
* [http://www.stpaulcvb.org Official Tourism site – Visitor Information]