01 RCHS W03-Cover 2/18/03 8:19 AM Page iii

RAMSEY COUNTY Growing Up in St. Paul— Diamonds, Gravel Roads, And a Little Chevrolet HıstoryA Publication of the Ramsey County Historical Society Page 16 Winter, 2003 Volume 37, Number 4

The History Behind the Louis Hill House New Settlers, Real Estate Boom, and Speculation —Page 4

The stained glass window Louis J. Millet designed for James J. Hill’s house on Canada Street in Lowertown and later installed in Louis W. Hill’s house at 260 Summit Avenue. See article beginning on page 4. This beautiful window was photographed for Ramsey County History by George Heinrich. 02 RCHS W03-Mast 2/17/03 11:30 PM Page 2

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY Executive Director RAMSEY COUNTY Priscilla Farnham Editor Virginia Brainard Kunz Hıstory RAMSEY COUNTY Volume 37, Number 4 Winter, 2003 HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OF DIRECTORS James A. Russell C O N T E N T S Chair Marlene Marschall 3 Letters President 4 The 146-Year History Behind the Louis Hill House George Mairs First Vice President New Settlers, Booming Real Estate Market, and W. Andrew Boss A Summit Avenue Site Acquired on Speculation Second Vice President Eileen R. McCormack Judith Frost Lewis Secretary 12 Who Was John LaFarge? And Louis Millet? Peter K. Butler 16 Growing Up in St. Paul Treasurer Duke Addicks, Charles L. Bathke, W. Andrew Diamonds, Gravel Roads and a Little Chevrolet— Boss, Peter K. Butler, Norbert Conzemius, The Life and Times of a Venture Capitalist Anne Cowie, Charlton Dietz, Charlotte H. Drake, Joanne A. Englund, Robert F. Garland, Alan R. (Buddy) Ruvelson Howard Guthmann, Joan Higinbotham, Scott 21 A Flourishing Fur Trade Industry Hutton, Judith Frost Lewis, John M. Lindley, George A. Mairs, Marlene Marschall, Richard And the U. S. Corps of Engineers Centre Building T. Murphy, Sr., Richard Nicholson, Marla Matt Pearcy Ordway, Marvin J. Pertzik, Penny Harris Reynen, Glenn Weissner, Richard Wilhoit, 23 Slunky Norton: the Chimney Sweep Who Rocked the Rafters Laurie Zenner, Ronald J. Zweber. Albert W. Lindeke, Jr. EDITORIAL BOARD 24 John M. Lindley, chair; James B. Bell, Thomas I Remember the Teachers’ Strike of 1946 H. Boyd, Thomas C. Buckley, Mark Eisenschenk, Maxine K. Dickson Pat Hart, Thomas J. Kelley, Tom Mega, Laurie Murphy, Richard H. Nicholson, Paul D. Nelson, 25 Book Reviews David Riehle, G. Richard Slade. HONORARY ADVISORY BOARD Publication of Ramsey County History is supported in part by a gift from Clara M. Claussen and Frieda H. Claussen in memory of Henry H. Cowie, Jr. Elmer L. Andersen, Olivia I. Dodge, Charlton Dietz, William Finney, William Fallon, Robert and by a contribution from the late Reuel D. Harmon S. Hess, D. W. “Don” Larson, George Latimer, Joseph S. Micallef, Robert Mirick, Marvin J. Pertzik, James Reagan, Rosalie E. Wahl, Donald D. Wozniak. A Message from the Editorial Board RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ur winter issue opens with Eileen R. McCormack’s fascinating account of the history of the Commissioner James McDonough, chairman Commissioner Susan Haigh Ohouse that stands at 260 Summit Avenue, known to many St. Paul residents as the Louis Hill Commissioner Tony Bennett House. Today Richard and Nancy Nicholson and their family live there and have restored the Commissioner Rafael Ortega house to the splendor that it had in the days when the Hills lived in the house, while also adapting Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt it to the conveniences of contemporary living. What emerges from Eileen McCormack’s research Commissioner Janice Rettman Commissioner Jan Wiessner is a glimpse of a bygone era of St. Paul’s elite and of the personality of the home the Hill family built. Paul Kirkwold, manager, Ramsey County Moving from an elegant residential property to a modest commercial and manufacturing part Ramsey County History is published quarterly of the spectrum of St. Paul buildings, historian Matt Pearcy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers by the Ramsey County Historical Society, 323 recounts the history of the building at 333 Sibley Street. This commercial structure is today’s Landmark Center, 75 W. Fifth Street,St. Paul, Corps of Engineers Centre, which has its origins in the history of Gordon & Ferguson Company, Minn. 55102 (651-222-0701). Printed in U.S.A. a famous St. Paul furrier. Alan R. (Buddy) Ruvelson, a well-known St. Paul entrepreneur, con- Copyright, 2003, Ramsey County Historical tributes a “Growing Up in St. Paul” story that begins with his maternal great grandfather’s home Society. ISSN Number 0485-9758. All rights at 545 Sibley, in Lowertown, not far from the Corps’ present headquarters. Publication of an old reserved. No part of this publication may photo of the rabbi’s house in David Riehle’s article in the fall issue of Ramsey Country History be reprinted or otherwise reproduced without written permission from the pub- prompted author Ruvelson to trace his family’s roots to Rabbi B. Rosenthal’s home in the area that lisher. The Society assumes no responsibility the plat maps called “Borup’s Addition.” Fortunately for us, Ruvelson has had a varied and un- for statements made by contributors. Fax 651- usual life as a dealer in diamonds, an entrepreneur, a venture capitalist, and public citizen. 223-8539; e-mail address [email protected].; Whether elegant like the Hill home or modest like the home of Rabbi Rosenthal, St. Paul’s built web site address www.rchs.com environment can tell us much about who we are and how our city has changed over the years. John M. Lindley, Chair, Editorial Board

2 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 4

The 146-Year History of the Louis Hill House New Settlers, a Booming Real Estate Market, and a Summit Avenue Site Acquired on Speculation

Eileen R. McCormack

he Louis W. Hill house at 260 Summit Avenue in St. Paul has once again be- such prominent St. Paul figures as Henry come a family home, after spending close to half its life occupied by institu- Rice, Alexander Ramsey, John Irvine, Ttional owners. The activities surrounding the purchase, in 2001, of the home by Henry Sibley, Lyman Dayton, Charles W. Richard and Nancy Nicholson have been fully documented in local newspapers, but W. Borup, and D. W. Ingersoll. the history of the site, the homes built there, and the people who lived at 260 Summit In November 1854, this Summit Av- are not as well known. The story did not begin with the construction of the Louis Hill enue piece of real estate was platted as house in 1901, nor did it begin with the purchase of the lots by James J. Hill in 1898. the Dayton & Irvine Addition to St. Paul, That piece of land had a prior history, a history that, from the early days of white set- Block 69, Lot Number 1. The present tlement in St. Paul, in many ways mirrored the history of the avenue it stood on and property at 260 is comprised of this lot on the city surrounding it. The story of 260 Summit Avenue started long before the Hills’ the Summit Avenue side and Lot Number ownership of the land began. 30, behind it, facing Irvine Avenue. Lot Number 30 of the Dayton & Irvine Addi- In 1857, the date the first home was the fashionable Woodward Avenue. By tion, platted in 1854 as well, also had nu- built at 260, Minnesota was nine years the 1880s, although still vibrant, the in- merous owners; however, it was not into its territorial status and one year creased commercial activity and growing owned in common with Lot Number 1, from becoming the thirty-second state transportation systems gradually had until December 19, 1881, when Palmes admitted to the Union. Situated just up- their effect on those neighborhoods. Rail- purchased the property from Mary Ann river from the confluence of the Min- road expansion with its attendant tracks, Woodward (widow of John Woodward). nesota River, on a bluff above the Missis- warehouses, and other industry began to James J. Hill bought the entire Palmes sippi, St. Paul was a rough frontier town, encircle the downtown business district property in 1898.1 much like many others at the time. Set- and encroach on the surrounding residen- Home construction on Summit Av- tled beginning in 1840, between the tial areas. During the decade between enue began in 1855 with Edward upper and lower river landings (present- 1880 and 1890, the city’s early mer- Duffield Neill’s home at number 242, on day downtown St. Paul), the location on chants and transportation, financial, and the eastern edge of the bluff. Later that the Upper Mississippi’s head of naviga- real estate business owners began to relo- same year, Henry Rice built his home at tion was a distinct advantage and one that cate. The majority of St. Paul’s elite number 288. In 1857, William Noble and guaranteed the city’s growth and success. looked toward the Summit Avenue bluff Henry Masterson added their residences It is impossible to overestimate the im- when planning their new homes, and by to the avenue, at number 260 and number portance of this site in an age when water the mid 1880s, Ramsey Hill was on its 266 respectively. William Noble had the transport was the lifeblood of the coun- way to becoming the city’s most fashion- unfortunate fate to build his new home in try. The rivers carried settlers and com- able residential area. the same year that a devastating depres- merce in good times and military assis- After the influx of new settlers when sion hit the nation. Fully half of St. Paul’s tance in troubled times. Minnesota Territory was organized in residents moved away and many that re- By the late 1850s, St. Paul had grown 1849, the real estate market boomed, and mained were left in serious financial from the original handful of buildings to speculation ruled the day. The abstract straits. From 1857 until 1881, only a city with a population of close to for the Summit Avenue piece of land twenty-two homes were constructed on 10,000 citizens. The business district re- where the future Louis W. Hill house Summit Avenue, a testament to uncertain mained clustered around the lower and would one day stand, listed no less than economic times. Noble lost his property upper steamboat landings, and elegant twenty-six owners/mortgage holders at 260 to foreclosure in December 1859, residential neighborhoods formed in from the initial December 1, 1848, entry although he is still shown in the 1863 St. Lowertown, Dayton’s Bluff, Irvine Park, (“The United States to James McBoal”) Paul City Directory as boarding (rent- and particularly Lafayette Park with to the August 2, 1870, entry (“Louis Har- ing?) the house. The new owner of 260, magnificent homes that stretched along gous to George Palmes”). Included were Louis Hargous, is not listed in the city

4 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 5

The Noble-Palmes House at 260 Summit Avenue in 1902. James J. Hill bought the Palmes property, next door to his own home at 240 Summit, in 1898. From a private collection.

directories for the years between his pur- by 1870 was fairly commercial with most very unlike its neighbors on Summit Av- chase and 1870 when he sold the prop- residents living in flats or apartment ac- enue. It was a two-story brick building erty to Georges Palmes, so it may be sur- commodations. Instead of moving farther with a shingle roof and no cellar, de- mised that he was a non-resident owner.2 north, as many did only to move again in signed on the center hall plan, with four Although not much information on a few years, Palmes chose to go directly rooms on each floor. The house was George Palmes is available, he was at to the bluff area on Summit. When he heated by stoves and by 1898 was in need least ten years ahead of the mass exodus purchased the home at 260 Summit, it of a new roof and gutters, interior repairs of residents from the Lowertown area of was one of only fifteen standing on the and painting. The only photograph the city. In the 1867 City Directory lists avenue. In 1891, Palmes purchased Lot found, probably taken in 1901 shortly be- him as living at the corner of Pine and Number 30, the property behind 260 fore its demolition, shows the Noble Seventh and owning a tailor shop on the Summit (267 Irvine Avenue). The family home in a state of some disrepair. The corner of Minnesota and Third, the heart lived in the home built by William Noble modest home must have been completely of the city’s retail trade district. His busi- until Palmes retired in 1897 and moved dwarfed by the mansions on either side of ness was long-standing and no doubt suc- to Waukegan, Illinois. Prior to the sale of it; James Hill’s immense home at number cessful; from his firm’s invoices in the the property to James J. Hill in December 240 and the impressive home of Freder- James J. Hill Papers, it is evident he 1898, Palmes rented the house to ick Weyerhaeuser at number 266. served at least one of the city’s elite. The William P. Abbott, who owned Abbott Hill’s appraiser, in determining how location of his home was only seven Manufacturing, a factory that built doors much rent to charge, certainly took into blocks north of the Mississippi River and and windows.3 account the real estate maxim, “location, one block east of Broadway, an area that The 1857 Noble house was, by 1897, location, location” when he wrote, “The

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 5 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 6

“. . . afterwards withdrew it as his wife was opposed to it.” Hill now evidently decided that the price was right and on December 20, 1898, agreed to terms. The warranty deed was recorded in Ramsey County on February 21, 1899. Whether lowering the price was the main consid- eration, or not, Hill was now the new owner of 260 Summit, and a step was taken which would result in the avenue becoming home to several members of James and Mary Hill’s family. During the early decades of the twentieth cen- tury, Hill and five of his nine children had homes within a few blocks of each other, all on Summit Avenue: James and Mary at 240; Louis at 260; Clara at 251; Char- lotte at 251 and later 435; Rachel at 505, then at 421 and finally at 366; and Walter at 465.5 In the two-and-a-half years prior to the start of construction on the house for Louis Hill, the old Noble home continued to be rented out. William P. Abbott re- mained until November 1899, when records show the home was rented to Charles C. Whitney, listed in the City Di- rectory for that year as “State Expert Printer, Capital bldg.” Whitney contin- ued to rent at $25 to $30 a month, through March 1901. William C. Jaeger [Yaeger] rented the home only for the months of April and May of 1901, with a Map showing the vacation of Walnut Street. From the Louis W. Hill papers at the James J. monthly rent of $20. As Louis Hill’s en- Hill Reference library. gagement to Maud Van Cortlandt Taylor was announced on April 10, 1901, Jaeger, no doubt, knew his residence at rental value of the house lies entirely in homes on the avenue.4 260 would terminate when construction its location, as the same house in any Hill, a Summit Avenue resident since plans for the new home were in place. In other part of the town would not bring 1891, received a letter from C. E. D. a May 23, 1901, memo to W. C. Toomey, over $10.00 per month in its present con- Olmsted, dated October 31, 1898, in- James J. Hill’s secretary, Louis writes, dition. Considering its location, however forming him of the availability of the “Please ask the President [James J. Hill] . . . it is well worth $35.00 as it stands.” George Palmes property at a cost of if it is his intention to give me the Palmes property, and if so take up with him the Although Summit Avenue had grown $23,000. Hill did not reply to Olmsted question of closing the street and advise since the first homes were constructed in but on November 4th his secretary sent a me as soon as you can whether the city the late 1850s, it was not until after 1881 note to Frederick Weyerhaeuser where, will agree to this or not as it would be that it experienced tremendous building speaking of the property, he wrote, “. . . useless to think of building there without activity. From 1855 to 1881 only twenty- and as he [Hill] did not want to purchase the street being closed.” James Hill must six homes were built on Summit and fif- it, he directed me to advise you of the have informed Louis quickly on both teen of those were torn down after 1880 same, as you might wish to take advan- points; by late May, Louis engaged archi- to make way for new homes. Between tage of it.” On December 12th of the tect Clarence Johnston for his new home 1882 and 1891, with economic good same year, Hill was again approached by and asked Toomey for an estimate of the times and the relocation of the elite Olmsted who told him that Weyer- total cost of the proposed house, broken neighborhoods previously mentioned, St. haeuser had agreed to purchase the down as follows: “1st estimate of excava- Paulites constructed seventy-two new Palmes property for $20,000, however, tions and foundations—2nd including

6 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 7

house walls, floors, partions (sic)—fire- proof and roof. 3rd including rooms all plastered and wood finished as Johnston [Louis’ architect] and Brodie [the Great Northern architect] know I would want it—that is good but plain—and please let me know what the president said about closing the street and how far have you got on this?”6 Walnut Street up the hill from Irvine Avenue ran between 240 Summit and 260 Summit. Louis Hill wanted the city to close the street to the public and turn over the sixty feet of land that would then be added to the lot at number 260. The original lot was irregularly shaped and had only some thirty-two feet of frontage on Summit Avenue. In 1871, George Palmes had petitioned for and was granted the vacation of a triangular sec- tion of Walnut Street that added twenty feet to the frontage; however, that evi- dently was not sufficient for the house planned by Louis. James Hill, as owner of the properties, petitioned the City of St. Paul in early June 1901 as follows:

The petitioner has placed valuable and ex- Louis W. Hill at the time of his marriage to Maud Van Courtland Taylor, photographed tensive improvements upon the premises on Maud Van Courtland Taylor in 1901. Louis in New York City around 1901. the Northerly side of Walnut Street (number Hill papers, Hill Reference Library. 240) with a frontage on Summit Avenue, constructed of stone, iron or such other suit- and it is his desire to improve the premises possible public uses . . . to allow it to be suit- able and durable material as the commis- on the Southerly side of Walnut Street (num- ably improved would be a great improvement sioner of public works of the city of St. Paul ber 260) . . . That although the portion of to Summit Avenue and to the appearance shall direct and to be built according to a Walnut Street above described is dedicated thereof. plan or design therefore to be prepared and upon the map to public use it never has been approved by said commissioner. in fact used by the general public as a street On August 1, 1901, the Board of Alder- or otherwise and it has never been opened or men “recommended the adoption of an Hill was also directed to pay $1 “. . . in maintained as such, except that a stairway for appropriate resolution declaring said va- consideration of said vacation.” Hill was the accommodation of foot-passengers has cation.” However, Hill did not get his more than likely happy with the result, as been for some years maintained by the city way entirely, as the resolution had some he gained most of what he wanted, al- upon the Southerly side thereof; that the conditions that would result in Hill pay- though at perhaps a higher cost than he character of the ground is so precipitous ing $7,218.28 to construct a public walk had anticipated. that it never can be conveniently used for a and steps on ten feet of the former Wal- Clarence Johnston was perhaps the public highway, and that it is and always nut Street. The resolution read: most sought after St. Paul architect when will be unsuitable and useless for any public commissioned by Louis Hill in 1901. By purpose . . . That there shall be and is granted and re- 1901, Johnston’s work already was evi- served to the public for all time, the right to dent in thirty homes on Summit; he even- And if that were not reason enough, travel on foot upon and over the portion of tually would design forty-two buildings, Hill included a not-so-subtle threat: said Walnut Street . . . and that the said Mary beginning with the 1882 carriage house . . . that for the purpose of utilizing the prop- T. Hill and James J. Hill at their own cost for Griggs and Foster at numbers 476— erty of petitioner upon the South in any way it and without any expense to the city, imme- 490 Summit. He also designed new will probably be necessary to build a large diately upon the passage of this resolution homes for both men the following year, and high retaining wall on the Northerly side shall build a suitable stairway, ten feet in and in 1926 he directed the remodeling of of said property, which will add to the unde- width, to be used for the accommodation of the Gordon house at 378 Summit. In addi- sirability of said portion of said street for any foot passengers . . . the said stairway to be tion to residences, Johnston designed

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 7 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 8

numerous public and private buildings in the state. In his post as Minnesota State Architect from 1901 to 1931, he designed almost all of the state buildings con- structed during that thirty-year period, in- cluding major buildings for the Min- neapolis and St. Paul campuses of the University of Minnesota and other state schools, state hospitals and institutions, as well as some of the structures at the Sol- diers’ Home and The Minnesota State Fairgrounds. Johnston’s residential work, during his fifty-four-year professional career, showed varied design styles. The houses he designed on Summit Avenue, ranged in style from Queen Anne to Ro- manesque and from homes built in the Beaux Art tradition of historical designs to ones “based on the simple geometry of rectangle, square, and triangle.” He was trained at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the Beaux Art tradition, emphasizing classical design and monu- mental structures. He traveled to Europe, a requirement for architectural students of his day, and emerged as an architect who, while he appreciated the classical European buildings, was able to grow and expand his design ideas and produce Louis W. Hill with son, Louis W. Hill, Jr., on the lawn of the Newport house in 1903. This was wonderful homes within the restraints of their home while the new house at 260 Summit was under construction across Summit. From his clients’ space and budget considera- a private collection. tions as well as their desires.8 In the Louis Hill house, Johnston’s work exhibited his Beaux Art training in neoclassical design, “somewhere be- lower level and windowed bays above, they wanted it and made sure things were tween the brooding power of his parents’ all overlooking the Mississippi River, done their way. Obviously, this trait Romanesque fortress (240 Summit) and was the more dramatic exterior aspect. served them well in their business deal- the genteel propriety of the Georgian Given the size of the original house, the ings and when it came to their building manor.” Johnston’s sense of historical interior spaces were extremely gracious projects it produced wonderful results. styles was evident both inside and out. and gave the impression of a comfortable What life was like for the people doing 9 “The most powerful element of the de- family home. the work, one can only surmise, but it sign, a long basement arcade at the rear, As one reads the correspondence be- must have been frustrating and anxious at was more attuned to seventeenth-century tween James and Louis Hill and their ar- times. From the construction records, England than eighteenth-century Amer- chitects and builders/finishers on any of Johnston seems to have acted almost in ica . . .” while the interior “. . . fell back to their construction projects, their attention the capacity of contractor as well as ar- the English Renaissance, more than 150 to details stands out; no item was over- chitect. As the work progressed, he often years before the Georgian period . . . the looked, nothing was too insignificant for was the first to be contacted when Hill central element of the plan was a great their attention, and once battle was joined felt things were not exactly as he wished. ‘baronial’ hall with reverse staircases on on a particular issue the Hills were unre- Hill’s memos to Johnston increased in either side and a fireplace at the end.” lenting. The extant documentation on the number as the December 1903 move-in The exterior, with its precise symmetry building of James Hill’s house at number date approached. On December 2, 1903, and immense ordered portico, held its own 240 and the building of Louis Hill’s he wrote to Johnston three separate with the imposing mansions of its Summit house at number 260 has that strong, memos: 1) “The Pittsburg Plate Glass Avenue neighbors. In many ways, the common thread. Both men knew exactly Company are still delaying furnishing rear façade with its arched veranda on the what they wanted and when and where glass for mantels etc. I wish you would

8 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 9

The Louis Hill house at 260 Summit around 1905-1920, before the addition was added to the front of the house in 1912. Private collection.

get after them.” 2) “I notice casement house today . . . I told Miller this would still was in Europe, Toomey wrote, “It doors opening from living room to terrace not do as they were too heavy . . . and seems to be a very difficult matter to find have not yet been fitted with thresholds. I weight would break down doors. It has a house for you on the hill, and although believe in addition to these weather strips occurred to me that the best way to get Mr. Read [rental agent] has canvassed should be put on.” 3) “I see no reason why these mirrors would be to buy a lot of light the whole district he has not yet been for- work of closing in conservatory should plate glass from the photographers . . . tunate in locating a suitable house. If Mr. not go ahead more rapidly . . . I wish you from old scrap negatives . . . and send it Darius Miller, however, goes to Chicago would take this up with Mann and have over to Minneapolis to be properly backed he says he will be only too glad to let you him hurry it along.” with mercury etc. to make mirrors. Please have his house until yours is completed.” Hill did not reserve his airing of con- advise me how this matter stands, and if Toomey also informed Louis that the cerns and suggestions for Johnston alone. you can arrange it in this way.”10 Walnut Street vacation had been granted. Often he wrote directly to the companies Louis and Maud Hill were married in Darius Miller, a second vice-president involved, giving them precise directions, New York City on June 5, 1901, and after for the Great Northern Railway, lived at as in a letter of December 2 to Bazille & an extended wedding trip to Europe re- 251 Summit, a house built by Henry Partridge, “I notice there has been consid- turned to St. Paul in early September and Rugg in 1886. City directories show erable delay in getting small plate glass stayed with James and Mary Hill while Miller did not move to Chicago until mirrors for doors from reception room to searching for a place to live until their sometime in 1902 which was too late for hall and reception room to living room . . . new home was completed. In an August Louis Hill, but timely for his sister Char- I noticed two heavy plate mirrors at the 19, 1901, letter to Louis Hill while he lotte and her new husband, George Slade.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 9 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 10

In an April 3, 1903, letter to Maud, Louis Maud: “I had a telegram from Parkhouse closer look at the rugs he “selected:” writes, “I suppose George and Charlotte telling me of the plasterers strike at the “Confirming our conversation at the have taken the Rugg house and are get- house—hope it does not delay long—or put house yesterday in regard to rugs: I shall ting it ready . . .”11 back any other work.” be glad to purchase the dining room rug On October 19, 1901, Hill signed a August 19, 1903—Louis, in Spokane, to at $615.00; large rug for hall at $305.00; lease agreement on a house at 217 Sum- Maud: “Hope everything in the new house is the two other hall rugs at $142.00 and mit, at the corner of Summit and Selby. going on well and that they are working in $110.00 each. In regard to the three oth- The owner, Eliza Newport, had moved to the dining room and laying tile in bath ers . . . I do not care to decide on these her son’s house at 433 Ashland after the rooms.” until I have looked over what other rugs death of her husband, General Reece M. you have at the store.” On December Newport in 1900 or 1901. Her son, Reece October 18, 1903—Louis to Maud. in New 15th Mary writes: “Maud sent her first Newport, a real estate agent, handled the York City: “I expect this week will accom- things to the new house today, glass and rental of his family’s former home. The plish lots at the new house so that by the time china.” By the following day, “Louis and rental fee was $75 per month for the first you get home you will see lots of changes.” Maud are moving today. As the men are year and $100 thereafter. October 24, 1903—Louis to Maud, in New still working in several parts of the house There is little existent information on York City: “The house is going ahead I should think setting discouraging.” And the Newport home other than that it was slowly—all bath room tiles are here and liv- it seemed things remained a bit “discour- built in 1874 and torn down sometime in ing room fireplace facing, hearth, etc.” aging,” as Mary wrote on December 17: the 1920s to make way for a parking lot “Louis and Maud are taking meals with for the recently constructed St. Paul October 25, 1903—Louis to Maud, in New us—As so many rooms are cold they may Cathedral directly across Selby Avenue. York City: “I have a new present for the new have to have all water drawn out of pipes Mary Hill noted in her diary for Decem- house—you never saw the things—two to discover the difficulty.” ber 21, 1901: “Louis and Maud moved large bronze figures holding candelabra of 2 On December 21 Mary wrote after into their house ‘The Newports’ this or 3 dozen lights—figures standing on beau- visiting the new home: “We went over evening—and took their first meal there.” tiful marble and bronze pedestals—they to Louis’ this evening—found them Louis and Maud Hill lived in that house were made in Paris and cost $4000.00 a pair. pretty well settled in some rooms . . .” for two years until moving into their new I think they will look all right in the hall— By Christmas Day, things obviously home in December of 1903. Their first they are about 7 or 8 feet tall. I was also were looking up at No. 260: “We all two children were born in the Newport given 4 or 5 paintings now hanging around went to Louis’ and had luncheon in the house, Louis, Jr. on May 19, 1902 and my father’s house but I told him I could not new house” and the entertaining contin- Maude on June 1, 1903. One of the con- take them as they belonged in the house, but ued in the new year. Mary noted on Jan- gratulatory letters received on the occa- in the case of things that he could not use uary 6: “Maud’s party and house warm- sion of the birth of Louis, Jr., was written and was not using I could accept, such as the ing ‘260’ was a great success last by Eliza Newport and read, “I shall al- 3 windows (LaFarge design) and 2 figure night—everyone enjoyed the evening. ways feel a peculiar interest in the dear candelabras.” And her reception today has been well child, born in my house and in my room, November 12, 1903—Louis, online in Mis- attended and pleasant. Everyone seem- which I loved so much.”12 souri, to Maud: “Keep after the men at the ingly delighted with the new home.” A Living at the Newport house, the new house and if anything [is] going slow description of the interior of the Louis Louis Hill family had a perfect vantage [tell] Johnson or tell the men at the house Hill house reveals why “everyone” was point from their front yard, to watch the what you want done and make them do it.” “seemingly delighted.”14 actual construction of their new home The total construction cost of the that began in the summer of 1902. Since November 21, 1903—Louis, online in Ne- Louis Hill house was close to $60,000, Louis Hill traveled a good deal on Great braska, to Maud: “I hope the work on the and one-half of that amount was listed in Northern Railway business and Maud house will go on well while I am away. Keep the account books as “Interior Finish- after Allan Black till they get a start on fix- ings.” The four main public rooms of the traveled to visit family members in New 13 York City, a number of letters document- tures.” home, library, dining room, reception ing their observations on the new home Again, entries in Mary Hill’s 1903 room, and conservatory, were well pro- have survived: diary for December describes the final portioned, comfortable and bright, with moving preparations and the first few numerous windows in a variety of styles, March 3, 1903—Louis, online to Spokane, days the Louis Hill family spent in their beautiful woodwork and large fireplaces. to Maud: “I hope the work at the new house new home. On December 10th: “Louis The wide center hall with its imposing is getting on well and that Dahlen and had many rugs at his house today and se- fireplace at the far end opposite the front Brodie are accomplishing something on the lected what he wanted for his house.” A entry was the welcoming sight that steps.” letter from Louis to Field, Schlick & greeted a visitor. French doors on either March 4, 1903—Louis, online to Butte, to Company on December 11th presents a side of the hall fireplace led to the circu-

10 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 11

lar conservatory with its unique tile floor about, leading from the hallway and into and guests and larger areas for entertain- and richly colored grapevine-designed the library. Two more sons, Jerome and ing. Certainly, as his parents aged, Louis stained glass windows. Cortlandt, were born after the family and his wife took on the responsibility Louis Millet, a Chicago based art moved to 260. When the four Hill chil- for the bulk of the business entertaining. glass designer was the artist Hill turned dren grew older, they performed skits However, having parties seemed to be to for his conservatory windows. Millet and plays using this room as their stage, something that the entire Louis Hill fam- was, in 1903, in charge of the mural dec- with the “audience” in the library beyond ily reveled in and it did seem that St. orations for the 1904 St. Louis Worlds the mirrored-door “curtain.” Paul society was extremely “social” dur- Fair. He held design medals from three The remaining spaces on the main ing the early decades of the twentieth previous world expositions, Paris in floor were for the elevator and safe, open- century. 1889 and 1900, and Chicago in 1891, ing behind doors concealed in the wood- A look at the society pages of the St. and would go on to produce the first paneled dining room walls, and the but- Paul newspapers reveals numerous re- stained glass windows installed in the St. ler’s pantry. This room was connected to ports, such as, “The Louis Hills hosted/ Paul Cathedral. Between 1917 and 1920, the main kitchen in the basement by a entertained last evening . . .”, or, “Among Millet designed the windows for the dumbwaiter. In addition to the normal the guests were Mr. and Mrs. Louis chapels of the Blessed Virgin, St. Peter, arrangement of cupboards, the pantry had (Maud) Hill . . .” Louis, Jr., Maudie, and St. Joseph in the newly completed a special sink made of German silver for Jerome and Cortlandt were accustomed cathedral.15 washing china and crystal. A unique to having dinners, luncheons, teas, musi- The library, which functioned as the plate/food warmer was integrated into cales, costume parties, etc. going on in Hill family living room, had walls of the design of the room’s radiator. their home. As the children entered their bookshelves and leaded glass windows. The home had six bedrooms, five fam- adolescent years, they too had frequent The Honduras mahogany woodwork ily bedrooms on the second floor and a parties at 260 Summit. A March 6, 1922, shone in the massive fireplace, filled with guest room one floor above. Also on the letter written by Louis to his daughter, at the elaborately carved designs of William top floor were three servants’ bedrooms school in the East noted, “Jerome’s birth- Yungbauer. A Vienna-trained carver, near the inside stairway that connected day party is finally over, having lasted Yungbauer arrived in St. Paul in the early with the service areas, the butler’s pantry, only four days.” In her diary entries, 1890s to supervise the interior carving at kitchen and laundry, below. The fur stor- Maud Hill gave a brief look at some of the James Hill house and stayed in the age room and other storage areas were on their social doings: city, opening his own shop. In addition to the third floor as well. Although the 1909—“Our Fancy Dress Party great suc- the woodwork carving, Yungbauer’s shop upper floors of the home were not as im- cess—There were many splendid costumes, also made a large library table, a dining pressively proportioned or finished as Indians, Cowboys, Romans, Chinese & room table, a mahogany footstool and a those on the main floor, the family rooms Japanese . . . Maud and Louis (children) large oak “hall piece” for the Louis Hill contained many exquisite details. Four of staid up till 10:30 p.m., till after photo was House. The library, as well as the dining the rooms had fireplaces with a variety of taken. room, opened off the hall through wide, tiles and one of the baths had a border of columned entries. blue and white delft tiles around its walls. 1910—“We gave cotillion of 150 (guests). On December 25, 1903, when Mary As any family home does, 260 Summit Walter Driscoll & Eddie (?) Saunders led. I Hill came to her first luncheon at the new underwent changes during the years the wore 4 pairs of slippers, so tired. Everyone home, she saw one aspect of the interior Hill family lived there. The nursery be- said they had a good time.” that was familiar to her. On either side of came an upstairs sitting room, and 1912—“Mrs. Hersey & Howard Elliot, the 4 the dining room fireplace, Louis had in- Jerome, who showed an interest in paint- Griggs brothers came in…we all went to the stalled the LaFarge stained glass windows ing at an early age, moved to a bedroom Ordways. Not in bed till 3:45 a.m.”16 his father had given him. In 1882, James specially designed with cupboards to Hill commissioned John LaFarge to de- store art supplies and paintings as well as Louis Hill was in charge of the St. Paul sign three windows for the dining room of a built-in desk/easel. When the front ad- Winter Carnival celebrations in 1916 and his Lowertown house at Ninth and dition, with its four new guest rooms, 1917, and this was a time of many parties Canada Streets. After the family’s move was finished in 1912, Louis, Jr., then ten at his home. The Hills entertained partici- to 240 Summit Avenue, James Hill saved years old, moved upstairs to the third pants, from Carnival royalty to sled dog the windows when he had the old house floor guest room. drivers, and family members skied, to- torn down (the third window is presently In 1912, James Hill retired as chair- bogganed, skated, and rode in the pa- exhibited in the James J. Hill Gallery at man of the board of the Great Northern rades. Perhaps the high point of the social the Minneapolis Institute of Arts). Railway and was succeeded by his son, activities at 260 Summit occurred in 1926 The reception room, although smaller Louis. Louis Hill felt a need for addi- when Queen Marie of Rumania paid St. than the other public rooms, contained a tional space in his home; the children Paul a visit and stayed at Louis and large fireplace and two pairs of mirrored were growing and the family wanted Maud’s home. She was feted by the city doors, the ones Louis was so concerned more room for visiting family members and the Hills hosted a reception in her

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 11 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 12

Who Was John Lafarge? And Louis J. Millet?

One of America’s most talented artists James J. Hill commissioned the Louis J. Millet (1856–1923), designer who worked equally well in oils, water stained glass windows, shown on the of the stained glass window shown on colors and on wood and in stained back cover of this issue, in October, the front cover of this magazine, also glass, John LaFarge has been called the 1882, for his house on Ninth Street and was born in New York City. He studied “father of mural painting in America.” Canada in Lowertown. He paid for the at L’Ecole des Beaux Arts in Paris, He was born in New York City in 1835 windows in January, 1883 (a total of then moved to Chicago in 1879 where of French parents who were living in $718.75) and they would have been in- he began working in decorative art: the United States. stalled in that time period. When Hill stained glass, frescoes, and glass mo- La Farge studied in Paris, copying moved to 240 Summit in 1891, he had saics, among other mediums. Between the works of old masters in the Louvre. the windows removed before ordering 1886 and 1918 he was associated with After returning to New York, he stud- the Canada house demolished. Toward the Art Institute of Chicago, founding ied law but finding he disliked it, he the end of his life, LaFarge also painted its Department of Decorative Design. moved to Newport, Rhode Island, to the murals for the new Minnesota State In 1903–1904 he served as chief of study and paint landscapes, still lifes Capitol, but his greatest mural was for mural and decorative pointing for the St. and figures under William Morris the chancel of the Church of the As- Louis World’s Fair. He assisted Louis Hunt. His interest in stained glass arose sumption in New York City. He died in H. Sullivan in the interior decoration of from his most important work, the dec- 1910. the bank in Owatonna, Minnesota. oration of Trinity Church in Boston. * * *

honor. The formal invitation read: came “frustrated with Frost’s irritating fortable seating arrangement in front of delays . . . he complained to the architect the fireplace. For entertaining, hundreds In honor of in a letter that hinted darkly about the of guests could be accommodated if need Her Majesty pending railroad commission: ‘I certainly be. Later a swimming pool was installed The Queen of Roumania do not look forward with the assurance in the basement of the new addition.19 His Royal Highness, Prince Nicholas that I should like to the completion of our By 1930, the children either had mar- and large building. When your people have ried or were away from St. Paul for long Her Royal Highness, Princess Ileana so much trouble over simple matters of periods of time and the active lifestyle of Mr. and Mrs. Louis W. Hill and Committee this nature, I do not know what they will the Hill family at 260 Summit Avenue of Hostesses invite do when it comes to the details of the ceased. In 1934, Maud and Louis Hill Miss Weyerhaeuser large building.’”18 separated and she moved to a house at To a reception on Sunday evening, The 1912 addition was at the front of 475 Portland Avenue, a few blocks from October 31, 1926 the original house and maintained John- 260 Summit. With all of his children now at half after nine o’clock ston’s center hall plan and his ordered living away from home permanently, 260 Summit Avenue portico. The main floor had a wide hall- Louis Hill spent the last fourteen years of And from that date on, the guest bed- way with twin staircases and four large his life dividing his time between his room Queen Marie slept in was known as bedrooms, each with its own bathroom. home at 260 and the other homes he had the “Queen’s Room”.17 The entire second floor was given over to constructed in North Oaks, Glacier Park, The “Queen’s Room” was in the 1912 one room that the Hill family called the and Pebble Beach, California. Much of addition to the house designed for Louis music room. The opposite ends were set that time was spent in California as three Hill by architect Charles Frost. A off by a huge fireplace and a wooden of his children; Maudie, Jerome, and Chicago architect, Frost was responsible screen that concealed the organ pipes. Cortlandt had homes there. Only Louis for many railroad buildings including The room was wood paneled and lit pri- Hill, Jr. lived in St. Paul. On April 27, both the Great Northern Depot and the marily by a skylight above the glass- 1948, after a long illness, Louis Hill died Milwaukee Road Depot in Minneapolis, paned ceiling. One photograph of this at Miller Hospital in St. Paul. the still-to-be constructed Union Depot room showed the seven eight-foot-tall In 1924, Maud and Louis Hill had re- (1923) in St. Paul, and James Hill’s Rail- bronze figure candelabras Louis had re- drawn the deed to 260 Summit to include road and Bank Building (1916), also in ceived from his father ten years earlier, equal shares for themselves and their four St. Paul. As he had with Clarence John- and in this immense room they appeared children in a joint tenancy. In 1950, ston, Louis Hill kept a close eye on the small. For family use, in addition to the Louis Jr., Maudie, Jerome, and Cortlandt progress of the addition and after he be- organ, there was a grand piano and a com- agreed to purchase their mother’s interest

12 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 13

A 1917 Winter Carnival party at 260 Summit for the sleddog race drivers. Louis, Sr., is in the center seated on the sofa. Camera Art Co. photo from the Louis W. Hill papers, Hill Reference Library.

and for the next four years, the house re- and the Lutheran Welfare League.” In re- mained much as it had when Louis Hill sponse he received a letter from his was living there. The four heirs main- brother Cortlandt: “I am in favor of the tained it with a staff of three live-in ser- sale if we can find the right use for the vants. No documentation exists as to house . . . I would not like to see it used whether there was a plan for any of the for the Shriner’s Social Club nor to see it children to use the home as a residence; put up for sale lest it get into wrong perhaps they were just not ready to make hands.” Cortlandt included a comment a decision as to the dispersal of the fam- that, if acted on, would have restored ily home and its contents. Whatever the Walnut Street as a public road, “You reason for the delay, they evidently were may recall your suggestions to me that if ready by January 7, 1954, to move ahead the house was torn down, the City might with plans to offer the house for sale. On build a street running down town which that date Louis Hill Jr., wrote to his sib- would greatly relieve the Cathedral traf- lings, “I asked Ryland Rothschild to help fic jam . . . the City might therefore be us with the sale of ‘260’ . . . I told him interested.”20 that because of the personal nature of the Whether no offers came in or there building, the four of us had to reserve the were no appropriate offers, the file is right to veto a prospective purchaser, and silent on the subject until June 11, 1954, Jerome Hill’s design for an invitation to a that the only two who had been specifi- when in a letter from Louis Jr., to the party at 260 Summit during the 1920s. Louis cally authorized so far were the Shriners other heirs, he stated that Rothschild had W. Hill papers, Hill Reference Library.

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 13 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 14

an organization, the St. Paul Catechetical nized on a tentative basis, we had items for the home, repaired rugs, washed Guild Education Society, interested in of furniture that belonged to us in many beautiful stained glass windows, 260 Summit. In his letter, Louis wrote of of the rooms throughout the house, and scrubbed the exquisite tile floors and the financial considerations, a $50,000 the large music room itself was just about walls, and cared for the gardens. But by offer by the Guild, and he informed his filled with articles belonging to us.” The the mid-1990s, the community, coping brothers and sister that a description of charitable donations included “eighty- with a variety of internal and external the organization and their plans for “260” eight items” of furniture, rugs, and mis- changes, found the continued mainte- would be sent by Walter Honebrink, a cellaneous, plus books and eight reli- nance of Maryhill difficult. The decision family friend, who was familiar with the gious paintings remaining in the house was made in April 1996 to close the cen- Guild. The letter to Maudie, Jerome, and for the use of the Catechetical Guild, to- ter on Easter 1997. As an article in the St. Cortlandt was sent the same day. taling an appraised value of $6,200.22 Paul Pioneer Press reported, “It’s in- Honebrink wrote, “The Catechetical The Guild owned 260 Summit for evitable . . . the Daughters of the Heart of Guild Education Society of St. Paul cre- seven years, until the 1961 sale of the Mary don’t have the money to keep the ates and publishes many types of book- property to a religious community, place up. The women who run it are get- lets primarily for use of Catholic chil- Daughters of the Heart of Mary. The ting older, and younger nuns are in short dren and families. Reverend Louis A. members of this community, told by supply.”24 Gales who founded the Society in 1933 Archbishop John Brady of the need for a The Sisters had many feelings of sad- is its President. From a general knowl- retreat house in St. Paul, felt the Louis ness when Maryhill was put up for sale: edge of the organization and what it is Hill house was the perfect place for that “There was a lot of sweat and blood that doing, I sincerely hope that you . . . look purpose. Before opening the retreat went into this. You put your whole self favorably upon the purchase of your house, the Sisters had the entire interior into it. But you reach a point when you former home by the Guild.” The last repainted, and converted the immense have to let go . . .” They had time to in- part of the letter showed that Honebrink music room into a chapel. Additional dulge in the same careful consideration was aware of the Hills’ concern about bedrooms and baths were built in the the Louis Hill children employed when the suitability of prospective owners: storage areas on the third floor and the 260 Summit was sold to the Guild. They “Should the Guild become owners of partitioning of the large master bedroom were determined to sell the house to peo- your home, there would be conducted in on the second floor. The main floor of the ple who would love it as they did, who it a dignified, quiet operation by the cre- house received a refurbishing, but re- would use if for a good cause, and who ative and office staff. Printing and ship- mained unchanged from the Hill years. would care for it . . . and hopefully would ping are done elsewhere, mainly in New Furniture was acquired for both the new be able to pass on the history that was so York. In the event this should come bedroom areas and for the main rooms of important to the Sisters. Deva Founda- about, I feel sure that there will come to the house. Most of the furniture donated tion, who planned to turn the home into a you some degree of satisfaction in the by the Hill children to the Guild was still children’s hospice, seemed an appropri- fact that your former home, which car- in the home when his mother died in ate organization to take over 260 Sum- ries pleasant memories for you and so 1961, Jerome Hill returned some pieces mit. The sale went ahead and in July many of your family’s friends, is being that originally had come from 260. The 1997, Maryhill became known as Deva used for a very worthy purpose. Copies retreat house was named “Maryhill Re- House.25 of some of the publications are enclosed newal Center,” after the Virgin Mary and The founders of Deva envisioned the also so that you may see the nature of the the location of the facility on Summit house “as a homey place . . . that [would] work.”21 Hill . . . although “the Hill family name offer hospice and respite care, educational That endorsement of the Guild evi- had some significance in naming the re- resources and other support for terminally dently persuaded the Hills and they sold treat house.”23 ill children and their families.” The new the property at 260 Summit Avenue on The Daughters of the Heart of Mary owners embarked on an ambitious reno- December 1, 1954. Louis Hill Jr., operated the retreat house and conference vation and remodeling of 260 Summit. arranged for storage of the numerous center for thirty-six years and the Sisters They removed the partitions in the master household items in the music room until maintained the home with love and care. bedroom and second floor hallway and decisions were finalized as to disposi- A number of these women lived at 260 made necessary repairs to the roof and tions to family members and charitable Summit for many years and some, like chimneys. A new, larger elevator re- organizations. Sister Margaret Mary, were there from placed the original installation, taking the One year later, Louis wrote regarding the beginning. They carried in their heads spaces formerly occupied by the safe on the items still at the house: “You will re- and hearts all of the stories and secrets of the first floor and the fur storage room on call it had been difficult for us to make the house, and loved sharing them with the third floor. The total expense for their final disposition of the great number of visitors. A tour of Maryhill included the work was $550,000, and in June 2000 the articles, including the thousands of history of the house, the Hill family, and Deva House administrators determined books, the rugs, and the furniture, and of course the story of the “Queen’s that uncompleted work would amount to that though a good part had been orga- Room.” The Sisters refinished furniture an additional $1.2 million.

14 RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 04 RCHS W03-Louis Hill 2/17/03 11:34 PM Page 15

The costs were far above what had End Notes 22. Ibid. been estimated when the property was 1. Abstracts of Title—Lot One & Lot Thirty, 23. St. Paul Pioneer Press, July 11, 1965. Oral his- purchased and “efforts to mount an ag- Block Sixty-nine, Dayton and Irvine’s Addition to tory, 1997. gressive capital campaign never took St. Paul, John H. Schultz, Clerk, Ramsey County, 24. St. Paul Pioneer Press, May 30, 1996. Oral off.” The Deva board felt the costs were State of Minnesota, February 20, 1899. Palmes history, 1997. unmanageable for the organization and Property File, Louis W. Hill Papers, James J. Hill 25. Ibid. Reference Library (HRL), Saint Paul, Minnesota decided to sell the house and, “find a new (LWHP). 26. St. Paul Pioneer Press, June 17, 2000. residential facility that won’t be such a fi- 2. Ernest R. Sandeen, St. Paul’s Historic Summit nancial drain on the program.” In the Avenue. (St. Paul: Living History Museum, 1978), early summer of 2001, the Louis Hill p. 99. St. Paul City Directories (St. Paul: R. L. Bibliography house was sold to a St. Paul family. Ex- Polk & Company)1863-1870 HRL. Palmes Prop- actly 100 years after Louis and Maud Hill erty file LWHP. PRIMARY SOURCES: were married and began plans for their 3. City Directory 1867 HRL 1899 General Corre- James J. Hill, Louis W. Hill, Maud Van home, a new family began their life at spondence, James J. Hill Papers, HRL (JJHP) Cortlandt Taylor Hill Papers, James J. Hill 260 Summit Avenue.26 4. Palmes Property LWHP. Sandeen, p. 108. Reference Library, St. Paul, Minnesota. Institutional ownership of the Louis 5. Palmes Property LWHP. Hill house was certainly not unusual dur- Oral History taken with Sister Margaret 6. Palmes Property LWHP. City Directory 1899 Mary at MaryHill, shortly before sale of ing this period in the history of Summit HRL. General Correspondence LWHP. Avenue. By the 1950s many of Summit property—Spring 1997. 7. Palmes Property LWHP. Avenue’s large homes were no longer SECONDARY SOURCES: family homes. Considered old-fashioned 8. Paul Clifford Larson, Minnesota Architect: The Cigliano, Jan and Landau, Sarah Brad- Life and Work of Clarence H. Johnston. (Afton: and too costly to maintain by second and Afton Historical Society Press, 1996) Appendix ford, The Grand American Avenue 1850- third generation owners, the heirs and/or Am p. 170-193. Sandeen, p. 99-106. 1920. (San Francisco: Pomegranate Art- estates often donated or sold them to reli- 9. Larson, p. 99. books, 1994). gious, civic or cultural associations. Ulti- 10. General Correspondence LWHP mately, many of these houses fared well, Darling, Sharon, Chicago Ceramics & although often victims of benign neglect 11. City Directories 1901-1902 HRL. General Glass. (Chicago: Chicago Historical So- Correspondence LWHP. due to the cost of upkeep. The organiza- ciety, 1979). tions that owned them saved most from 12. General correspondence, LWHP. Mary T. Hill diary 1901, LWHP. Sandeen, p.99. General Corre- standing vacant, being divided into rental spondence, Maud Van Cortlandt Taylor Hill HRL Frame III, Robert M, James J. Hill’s apartments and rooming houses, or razed. (MVCTHP). Saint Paul: A Guide to Historic Sites. (St. The Louis Hill house was one of the more 13. General Correspondence, MCVTHP. Paul: James J. Hill Reference Library, fortunate in that for thirty-six years, from 1988). 14. Mary T. Hill diary 1903, LWHP. General cor- 1961 to 1997, it was in the loving hands respondence, LWHP. of the Daughters of the Heart of Mary Hansen, Eric C., The Cathedral of Saint 15. Sharon S. Darling, Chicago Ceramics & Glass. who treated it very kindly. Beginning in (Chicago: Chicago Historical Society, 1979). Eric Paul: An Architectural Biography. (Saint the 1980s St. Paulites took a good look at C. Hansen, The Cathedral of Saint Paul: An Archi- Paul: The Cathedral of Saint Paul, 1990). Summit Avenue and made the commit- tectural Biography. (St. Paul: The Cathedral of St. ment to preserve its history and restore its Paul, 1990). The description of the interior of the Kunz, Virginia Brainard, Saint Paul The wonderful character. Today while some house in this and following paragraphs was com- First 150 Years (St. Paul: The Saint Paul piled from a variety of sources including: 260 Sum- houses remain affiliated with institutions, mit Residence—correspondence, specifications, fi- Foundation, 1991). most others have returned to their original nancial records, photographs, LWHP; 1997 oral residential purpose. Once again a family history done by this author with Sister Margaret Larson, Paul Clifford, Minnesota Archi- home, 260 Summit and its gracious, ele- Mary at Maryhill, as well as images and written tect: The Life and Work of Clarence H. gant neighbors on the Avenue welcome documentation of 260 Summit gathered by author Johnston (Afton: Afton Historical Soci- guests back to their parlors, conservato- (1997–2001). ety Press, 1996). ries and libraries . . . or rather perhaps, to 16. Ibid. Diaries 1909, 1910, 1912, MVCTHP. their family rooms, media centers and 17. Framed invitation now in private collection. McCormack, Eileen R. “Lowertown home offices. 18. Robert M. Frame III, James J. Hill’s Saint Neighborhood” (unpublished paper for Paul: A Guide to Historic Sites. (St. Paul: James J. Minnesota History Workshop, Univer- Eileen R. McCormack is associate cura- Hill Reference Library, 1988) p. 24-25. sity of Minnesota, 1997). tor in the manuscripts area of the James 19. See footnote number 15. J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul. She 20. 260 Summit Residence File, LWHP. Acquisi- Sandeen, Ernest R., St. Paul’s Historic is a historian specializing in local and tions File, LWHP. Summit Avenue (St. Paul: Living History state social and cultural history. 21. Acquisitions File, LWHP. Museum, Macalester College, 1978).

RAMSEY COUNTY HISTORY 15 01 RCHS W03-Cover 2/18/03 8:19 AM Page ii

John LaFarge’s stained glass window, retrieved by James J. Hill from his Canada Street house for use by his son Louis W. Hill at 260 Summit Avenue. See article beginning on page 4. Photograph by George Heinrich for Ramsey County History.

NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage Published by the Ramsey County Historical Society PAID St. Paul, MN 323 Landmark Center Permit #3989 75 West Fifth Street Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102

Address Service Requested