DISTRICT FORUM Volume 21, No. 9 www.daytonsbluff.org November 2008 . A familiar face returns home to Dayton’s Bluff Inside This Issue

Neighborhood Meetings ....Page 2

Take a Hike...... Page 2

Halo Can Help Renters .....Page 2

Access Saint Paul Corner ...Page 3

Mounds Theatre Events .....Page 3

Trimble Book Reading ...... Page 3

Another History Tour...... Page 4

Church Directory...... Page 5

Overindulgence is Bad ...... Page 6

Youth Clean-up Project ...... Page 6

Hamm’s Bear is Back...... Page 7

Church Has New Name ....Page 7

Home Ownership Help .....Page 7 . The Regime ...... Page 7

House Fire Photo ...... Page 8

Photo by Karin DuPaul Now do you recognize the mystery object being carved in a tree stump that we showed you last month? See page 7 for the details. November Events Farewell from our president Looking for Saturday, November 1 By Wally Waranka feedback from other neighbors. I did Neighborhood Take a Hike For the past two years I have been get some responses. Some may have Tuesday, November 4 honored to serve this community as been negative at times, but they rep- Honor Roll Election Day your President of the Dayton’s Bluff resent a part of who we are in council. I have enjoyed my time and Dayton’s Bluff. Candidates Thursday, November 6 hope I have represented you all well. I would like to let you all know that The Dayton’s Bluff District 4 Com- Community Meeting I hope that I have been able to help we have some fantastic people giving munity Council is looking for three Tuesday, November 11 keep the neighborhood moving forward their time by serving on the council people in Dayton’s Bluff to add to the and help start a few new things for Steve Trimble Book Reading and trying to do the right things for honor roll this year. If you know of the future. Although I won’t be Presi- our neighborhood. Yes, there is al- someone who has done an outstand- Friday, November 14 dent, I still plan to be a part of building ways the bad we can focus on and ing job of volunteer work in Dayton’s Cerenity Holiday Craft Sales a business association, as well as look- there will be always things to work Bluff, call Karin at 772-2075 or email ing at new ways to keep promoting on, but the more we do attack these [email protected] for more Saturday, November 22 our neighborhood as being a great issues the more they will get smaller information. Bethlehem Lutheran Craft Sale place to live and work. and eventually go away. Believe me The Saint Paul Neighborhood In addition, I am looking forward to we are trying to attack them. Honor Roll started in the 1980s and is Thursday, November 27 the beginning of the annual celebra- I would like to personally challenge a listing of Saint Paul citizens who Thanksgiving tion for Dayton’s Bluff where we can each and every one of you who are have done outstanding service in their For more information on these showcase all of the great things we reading this to look around and see neighborhoods over a long period of have and recognize the great things events read this paper, contact how you can offer help to keep our time. Each year all 17 District Coun- that have been accomplished. neighborhood moving forward. [email protected] cils can add three names to the honor This last year I tried via my articles It does not have to be a big dra- roll. Past honor roll inductees volun- or call 651-772-2075 in the Forum to see if I could get some matic effort. On the contrary, every teered for years at a church or a action helps no matter how small. school, served on their community One way to be a part and an informed council board of directors, block club NONPROFIT ORG. Dayton’s Bluff District 4 neighbor is to read your Forum, and leaders, led projects like buckthorn U. S. POSTAGE Community Council if you see anything in the paper that removal or spearheaded a community th 798 East 7 Street PAID interests you come out and be a part event. Saint Paul, MN 55106 SAINT PAUL, MN of it, please. As my last two years Last year the Dayton’s Bluff Dis- PERMIT NO. 3996 have shown me, we, the council, are trict 4 Community Council added only as effective as the feedback we Jacob Dorer, Jean Comstock, and get from you. Juanita Westman, for their years of Don’t hesitate to let us know what service in the Dayton’s Bluff neigh- ECRWSS we can do to help keep Dayton’s borhood. Postal Customer Bluff a great place to live. And don’t The Saint Paul Neighborhood hesitate to help us remain that way. Honor Roll is located in the hallway I won’t be going away and I will on the third floor of Saint Paul City always be a proud Dayton’s Bluff Hall. The quality and amount of vol- resident in this great area of Saint unteer time that make our communi- Paul. ties better is amazing in Saint Paul. Page 2 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum November 2008 Dayton’s Bluff Dayton’s Bluff spring Community Meeting business class The next Community Meeting is The next Dayton’s Bluff Neighbor- Thursday, November 6th from 6:30 hood Microentrepreneur Class is start- to 8:00 p.m. in the meeting room at ing in April 2009. This program helps the Dayton’s Bluff Community Coun- start-up and young businesses on the cil, 798 East 7th Street at the corner East Side. All East Side entrepreneurs of 7th and Margaret. are welcome. The Dayton’s Bluff Community Class training lasts 8 weeks and in- Council holds its Community Meeting cludes topics such as operations man- on the 1st Thursday of each month. agement, marketing, financial manage- The purpose is to work with block ment, one to one assistance with cre- clubs and neighborhood residents on ating a successful business, and pre- problem properties, criminal and nui- paring a business plan, plus 8 hours of sance behavior, code enforcement is- one on one time with the instructor. sues and any other neighborhood is- Those who successfully complete the sues, concerns, and/or new ideas for course and locate their businesses in improvement in Dayton’s Bluff. Photo by Karin DuPaul target neighborhoods are eligible for If you can get me the addresses of They came to “Watch the Glow” ongoing business support services. problems ahead of time I can get them Some examples of businesses to the police and code enforcement. People gathered at Swede Hollow organization is still working on locat- started by people who have previously Then they can bring information about Henge in Swede Hollow Park Septem- ing their organization in the brewery. taken this course include graphics, the problems to the meeting. Remem- ber 29th. Some of the people only see Watch the Glow of the Setting Sun landscaping, photography, food ser- ber, it’s always on the 1st Thursday each other at the Watch the Glow on the Red Brick Brewery is an an- vice, restoration of wood furniture and of the month. All Dayton’s Bluff resi- each year. A lot of stories were nual event that started in 1995. It is works of art, custom floral design for dents are welcome to attend. If you shared by former Swede Hollow resi- an opportunity for everyone to join weddings and events, and exterior and need more information email dents, Hamm Brewery employees, Friends of Swede Hollow to see the interior painting. The course is spon- [email protected] or call and neighbors about Swede Hollow beautiful red/orange glow of the brick sored by the Dayton’s Bluff Commu- Karin at 651-772-2075. and the Hamm Brewery. In a large as the setting sun shines on the build- nity Council and the Neighborhood circle on top of Swede Hollow Henge ings. The celebration picnic followed Development Center. There is a small Meet with the police everyone shared their reasons why this the sun setting. registration fee based on a sliding fee place is so important to them. A newer The evening was filled with more scale. The next session will start in great Brewery and Swede Hollow sto- The Eastern District Police host resident on Payne Avenue said that April 2009 and class size is limited. ries, and music courtesy of Joe their monthly meetings for community when walking through Swede Hollow Please call Karin at 651-772-2075 Sanchelli. members at 722 Payne on the corner she knew she wanted to live near this or email [email protected] for The event was a great success with of Payne and Minnehaha Avenues. place. An eighty year old neighbor an application. lots of great conversions and good One is on the third Wednesday of each said she played here as a child and food thanks to Morelli’s, Culver’s on month at 6:30 p.m. and the other on has always lived within a few blocks Block club meetings Old Hudson Road, Rainbow on Ar- the third Friday of each month at 9:30 of Swede Hollow. Naomi Chu, Execu- cade, and Cub in Sunray, Pepsi and *Wilson Avenue Block Club meets a.m. In November the meetings tive Director of the Asian Pacific Mike Grealish. Friends of Swede Hol- on the second Wednesday of each are on the 19th and 21st. Culture Center, said how much she low are already talking about next month at Mounds Park United Meth- The meeting is intended as a time to enjoys attending the Watch the Grow and meeting all the people and that her year’s “Watch the Glow”. odist Church, at Earl and Euclid, at 6:30 listen to and address people’s concerns p.m. about crime and other issues on the *Beech/Margaret Block Club meets East Side. Rental housing problems? HALO has help on the last Tuesday of each month at By erin sobaski for support services via AmeriCorp- Bethlehem Lutheran Church, at Mar- Is your rental house in bad need of VISTA (the national service program garet and Forest, at 7:00 p.m. Take a Hike repairs that never get done? Does your designed *Margaret Rec Center Block Club landlord owe you money back on specifi- meets on the second Thursday of each Dayton’s Bluff Take a Hike occurs rent? Persons with low income can get cally to month at the Margaret Rec Center, at on the first Saturday of most months. free legal advice and representation fight pov- Margaret and Frank, at 6:30 p.m. The next hike is Saturday, Novem- for these problems and more at erty). She If you wish to have your block club ber 1st.We meet at 10:30 a.m. in In- HALO. Project HALO is the Hous- can help listed, or need information about start- dian Mounds Park at Earl St. and ing Alliance Law Office, which helps you with ing you own block club, please con- Mounds Blvd. We’ll hike from Mounds improve the quality of affordable the intake tact Karin at 651-772-2075 or Park to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanc- rental housing in St. Paul. And we process, [email protected]. tuary and then walk along the Bruce have one of their offices right here in answer Vento Recreational Trail through Dayton’s Bluff. questions, Swede Hollow Park to the new East Get rid of a junk car Project HALO attorneys help ten- or give you resources for more infor- Side Heritage Park. Along the way we ants: mation. and help the will share stories and learn some lo- · If you don’t have heat, electricity or Project HALO also offers Tenants’ cal history of the area. The hike is Community Council running water; Rights Training, which includes topics about four miles long with some mod- · Get your landlord to make repairs; such as “understanding your lease” or erately rough terrain. Transportation Budget Towing of Minnesota, · Get you moved if there’s an emer- “how to remove an eviction from your will be available to return to Mounds Minnesota’s largest towing company, gency repair; record.” Please note, this service deals Park, or you may hike back. is owned by Roy Carlson, an active · If your home is condemned for only with rental housing issues and not Join us and explore some of our Dayton’s Bluff Community Council something you did not do; with foreclosures. Services are only parks and the regional trail. For more board member. Budget Towing will · Try to get you some money back on for tenants with a low income. information contact Karin at 651-772- remove any junk car or truck—located rent. The Dayton’s Bluff HALO office 2075 or [email protected]. anywhere in Saint Paul—and dispose The newest staffer at the Dayton’s is located in the Community Council of it at no charge to the vehicle owner Bluff office is Adrian Odya-Weis. building, at 798 E. 7th St., or you can or the property owner where it is lo- It’s the law! The curfew Adrian has a dual degree in History call 651-771-9323. For info on fore- cated. The vehicle owner will receive and Spanish from the University of closures and other civil legal issues, law, that is! paperwork for a tax donation, and Roy Minnesota and is currently applying for or for the intake line, please call the will also make a small donation to the City of St. Paul Curfew for law school. She volunteers her time SMRLS main office at 651-222-4731. Community Council for each car he tows. Call Karin at 651-772-2075 for Juveniles Age 15 or younger: Cerenity Craft and Bake Sale Bethlehem Lutheran Craft Show details. Home by 10 p.m. On November 22nd Bethlehem Cerenity Senior Care - Marian of Saint Age 16 – 17: Lutheran Church located at 655 Forest Paul at 200 Earl St. near Mounds Park, is Dayton’s Bluff Recycling Home by 12 a.m. Midnight St. is hosting a Craft Show starting at holding its annual Craft and Bake Sale on Every Tuesday. Have your th 9:00 a.m. There is still space for Craft Saint Paul Police Department Friday Nov. 14 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 recyling on the curb by 7 a.m. p.m. Come and browse and buy a variety Artists. For more information call Juvenile Unit of home made goodies!! Collette at 651- 230-7683. Call 651-772-2075 for a bin. November 2008 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum Page 3

Mounds Theatre Happenings “Rocky Horror Picture Show” “A Christmas Story” returns “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” com- The Historic Mounds Theatre and pletes its run at the Mounds Theatre on the Portage for Youth are proud to November 1. present live on stage their 5th annual The movie, accompanied by live perfor- production of “A Christmas Story” by mances and audience participation, will Jean Shepherd. be shown on October 31 and November 1 at 11:00 p.m. Ticket price is $7.00. This classic movie is brought to life These are special Halloween events. on stage for the fifth year in a row to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Real Haunted Tours film’s release November 1 also marks the end of Real Humorist Jean Shepherd’s memoir of Haunted Tours at the Mounds Theatre, growing up in the Midwest in the 1940s in which you will have an opportunity to Photo by Karin Dupaul follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker in his Chelsea Starr resting on a chair in the Free Reuse Center at this year’s Clean Up. visit this unique location and have a guided quest to get a genuine Red Ryder BB gun tour led by professional ghost hunters. under the tree for Christmas. Ralphie Neighborhood Clean Up is over for another year The final tours will take place on Octo- pleads his case before his mother, his The Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood Clean Up was held on September 13th. Dayton’s ber 31 and November 1. All tickets must teacher and even Santa Claus himself, Bluff Community Council Board members, residents, friends, and Reentry Services be booked in advance due to the limited with the same and always consistent re- Sentence to Service did an excellent job of making the clean up flow smoothly. Thanks size of each tour group. Tickets cost $20 sponse: “You’ll shoot your eye out kid.” to everyone who helped with the Clean Up. We appreciate you all. if prepaid or $25 if paid at the door. Visit All the elements from the beloved mo- Neighborhood participation was much higher this year in part because of the free www.realhauntedtours.com for more infor- tion picture are here including Ralphie’s disposal of electronics. Many people found treasures in the Free Stuff reuse area. We mation and to order tickets. father winning a lamp shaped like a appreciate everyone that helped. “Barefoot in the Park” woman’s leg in a net stocking as a major A number of local businesses supported our efforts by supplying food, beverages Staring Gate’s seventh season is a Sea- award; Scut Farkas, the school bully; the and services. We would like to express our appreciation to Rainbow on Arcade, Cub in son of Laughter and begins with “Bare- boys’ experiment with a wet tongue on a Sun Ray Shopping Center, M and H Convenience Store, Culver’s at 2065 Old Hudson foot in the Park”, a play by Neil Simon. It cold flagpole and more. Road, and Holiday Gas Station at 1477 East Minnehaha. is playing November 7 – 30 at the Mounds All profits from this play go to the Por- We are looking for ways to make the Clean Up even more successful in the future. Let Theatre under the direction of Richard tage for Youth to support its programs. us know if you have any ideas. Call Karin at 651-772-2075 or email Jackson and featuring the talents of Jane Dates: [email protected]. Froiland, Robert Gardner, Nicholas December 5, 6, 12, 13, 19, & 20 at Leeman, Edward Linder, Steven McKillen, 7:30 p.m. Start the holiday season with a book reading! and Cynthia Uhrich December 7, 14, & 21 2:00 p.m. Kick off your holidays with a special book reading by our own neighborhood histo- Performances: Tickets: rian and enjoy winter treats while you listen. Fridays - Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sun- Adults: $15.00 Steve Trimble, Dayton’s Bluff resident and local history expert, will be reading from day Matinees at 2:00 p.m. Students/Seniors (55+): $10.00 and talking about his book, Historic Photos of St. Paul. This high-quality, hardcover Pay What You Can - Monday, November “coffee table” book is filled with fascinating photos of St. Paul to which Steve has Children (12 and under): $5.00 17, 2008 at 7:3 0.pm. added insightful background and hints of the future. Beginning in the 1840s, this book Order your tickets now because the sell Audio Described Performance - Sunday, covers parks, neighborhoods, buildings, and people of St. Paul—including Dayton’s out quickly. Tickets may be purchased November 23, 2008 Bluff and the East Side—through the 1970s. by calling the Mounds Theatre at 651-772- Tickets: Steve’s talk will begin at 6:30 pm on Tuesday, November 11th, at the Dayton’s Bluff 2253 or by visiting our website at $18 general, $16 students and seniors. Community Council office at 798 East 7th Street. Complimentary holiday cookies and www.moundstheatre.org. $10 for high school students. hot cider will be provided. Copies of the book will also be available for purchase and The Historic Mounds Theatre is located For tickets call 651-645-3503 or visit signing by the author. A great gift for anyone who lives, or has lived, in the city of St. www.startingate.org at 1029 Hudson Road, St. Paul, MN 55106. Paul. Come and join us! To register email [email protected] or call 651-772-2075. Page 4 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum November 2008 Another Dayton’s Bluff Sort-of-Walking History Tour By Steve Trimble William E. Buschman was one of the You may remember that two issues ago, city’s most well known blacksmiths and there was a history walking tour in the one of the last to go out of business with lower Bluff area inside of the Dayton’s the arrival of the automobile era. He Bluff Historic District. Hope some of you learned the trade from his father who had decided to take it. This time will be a re- a shop in Lowertown and then set up his turn to looking at some of the own enterprise at the northwest corner of neighborhood’s other interesting houses 7th and Mendota in 1890. He lived in the and buildings in some of the other areas. Bluff from 1883 and started a three-term Since they are scattered around, there will alderman from the ward in 1908. A great not be an attempt to have an official-type deal of his business was from the nearby tour with directions. Instead, the struc- Sanitary Farm Dairy. tures will be grouped into general areas, 913 Fremont: The Hull House and you’ll have to find your own way Orson Hull is an interesting character around. The distances are probably too who was an important local resident of long for walking—at least for me— but the community. He never had a college perhaps you could make it a bicycle or degree but came to value education as he automobile event. observed people around him as a mainte- One of the structures to be covered is nance employee at 3M. He saved his inside of the historic district, but it was a shares of stock over the many years he little too far away to include in the last was a janitor and his wife left a million tour, so here’s the 411 on them: dollars in a scholarship fund for East Side youth to attend college. 707 Wilson: Schornstein Building She died in 1961 and two years later the The first mention of William Schornstein Orson and Minnie Hull Educational Foun- was that he was a bartender at the Tivoli, dation was launched. The money was to a downtown tavern. By the 1880’s he had go to graduates of two East Side high a two-story combination saloon and gro- schools-Johnson and Harding-where their cery made of brick. Unfortunately in 1884 own children had gone. The scholarships a fire destroyed that Schornstein build- Photo Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society include tuition and fees at state run ing as well as a nearby house, a barn, a The Schornstein Building at 707 Wilson was built in 1885 and originally housed a schools. harness shop and a frame feed store. The saloon, grocery store, meeting rooms and residential space. 847 E. 4th: Harry Blackmun House extent of the conflagration may have been The route of the last tour went by the because the nearest water at the time had cannot give; and well he may, for he has Then the Brown family bought the house former home of Supreme Court justice been a cistern at Fifth and Maria, around one of the finest home-surroundings in and then lived there for he next two de- Warren Burger so this one will feature the half a mile away the city and an amiable and lovely wife.” cades. home of Harry Blackmun, who was also a But Schornstein immediately decided to Less is currently known about Mrs. 1075 Hudson: The Wolkoff Building Supreme Court justice. rebuild in grander fashion. Later that year Wakefield. She was very active on the St. Dr. Wolkoff, with a medical degree from The 1906 house, a traditional “four- he hired prominent German-American ar- Paul Ladies Relief Association that helped University of Minnesota initially estab- square” was home to the Blackmun fam- chitect Augustus F. Gauger who designed develop the Home for the Friendless. It lished an office downtown in 1939. He ily after they moved to St. Paul from Illi- one of the few French Second Empire style was later named the Protestant Home, practiced in Dayton’s Bluff from 1941 un- nois. They ran a grocery store in the area. business buildings in the city. The struc- became located on East Seventh and is til his death on Nov 17, 1974. Harry attended Van Buren Elementary and ture attests to the pride that many Victo- now known as the Cerenity Nursing This yellow brick structure was erected then went on to Mechanics Art High rian commercial owners felt for their work- Home. in 1941 in a “streamline moderne” archi- School. He was a fine student and won a places. 935 Hudson Road: Dr. George Earl House tectural style, near the end of the style’s scholarship to Harvard. After graduation The saloon and grocery store was an This remarkable Tudor Revival was built popularity. It is a fine example of an inter- he decided to enter Harvard Law School, important gathering place for the area’s in 1913 as the home and sometimes office esting commercial style that is unique in graduating in 1932. ethnic Germans. There were meeting of Dr. George Earl, who was born in Iowa. this neighborhood. Blackmun taught for a year at the St. rooms on the upper floors, where The three bedroom, 89 year-old home has Paul College while he served as law clerk Schornstein lived from 1885 to 1921. In quarter-sawn oak in the dining room, Homes of Some Community Leaders to a U.S. circuit court judge, John B. recent years, this building has been reno- sunroom, and all the hallways. This house This section will consider the homes of Sanborn. Blackmun was a member of the vated and was been placed on the Na- has beautiful woodwork and craftsman- various people from different eras. Their law firm Dorsey, Colman, Barker, Scott & tional Register of Historic Places in 1984. ship. The living room is of mahogany, and contributions are different, but all show the second floor features cherry. how a tradition of community leadership Barber of Minneapolis from 1934 to 1950. He later became the resident counsel at East of the Historic District George Earl was, along with his brother has been a vital part of our the Mayo Clinic and Mayo Association. The next few houses to be considered Robert, a founder of the Mounds Park neighborhood’s heritage. He was appointed to the Supreme Court are in the same general area as the old Sanitarium that opened in 1906 at Earl and by Richard Nixon in 1970. Schornstein saloon and grocery and fan Thorn, was an important part of the de- 1205 Ross: Baumeister House While he is most remembered for writ- out eastward toward Hudson and Earl velopment of Midway Hospital and Although the family house is not an ar- ing the Roe v Wade decision, he was in- Streets. Some are quite old, others some- Gillette Children’s Hospital and was an of- chitectural gem, it is a structure that has volved in a number of important cases, what new, but they all have interesting ficer of the Mounds Park Bank. an interesting story that speaks to the was an active lecturer on the constitu- stories. 1044 Wilson: Henry L. Gray House neighborhood’s history. Its owner, Will- While most people think Summit Avenue iam Baumeister, was born in Germany but tional matters, especially personal privacy and opposition to the death penalty. He 963 Wakefield: What Cheer Lawn when the name of Cass Gilbert comes up, came to St. Paul as a young boy. He ended died in 1999. William Wakefield in 1859 or 1860 built Dayton’s Bluff does have one identified up living in Dayton’s Bluff for nearly sixty 909 East 5th: The Krahmer House this estate in what was outside of the city house that was designed by the famed three years. Ed Krahmer was born in 1905 and lived limits. He and his wife named it “What architect. It was one of his early more In 1900, he formed his own construc- all of his life in the neighborhood. His Cheer Lawn.” Its yard was once the whole modest houses, but has a great deal of tion company and built many homes and grandfather was a German immigrant. As block and it faced Territorial Road, which charm. commercial structures on the East Side and a child he contracted polio and from then explains its skewed location in relation to Its original owner was Henry Gray, a Civil throughout the city. For instance, his firm on walked with a slightly noticeable limp. today’s modern street. War veteran who came to St. Paul in 1882. did the 1930’s addition to the old Harding He gained strength working for a sister William Wakefield was born in Rhode He originally rented a house on North High School at Third and Earl which now on her farm near Highway 61. This experi- Island in 1825 and came to St Paul in 1856. Street and worked a variety of jobs, in- houses two St. Paul magnet schools. ence nurtured a life-long love of garden- He entered the employ of Knox and Tay- cluding foreman of a local coal company. Baumeister also did a great deal of work ing. lor in the dry goods business and stayed After a time, he hired the firm of Gilbert for the Hamm’s Brewery. He attended Sibley Elementary. In 1937 with them until after the Civil War. “Of and Taylor in 1887 to design this home. Other members of his family joined him he married Helen Albrecht and they both late he has been dealing in real state. He It was a combination of stick style ele- in the company, which lasted until the moved into the family home that Ed’s fa- purchased on Dayton’s Bluff, then out- ments of later shingle style. Cass Gilbert 1960’s. Baumeister was a long-time mem- ther had built in 1907. He worked as a side the city limits, in 1860, four acres of had only been working in the city for three ber of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church freight salesman for several different rail- land for about $300, worth now close to years, but would develop into a premier and served as an alderman from the city’s roads. He was a long-time member of $30,000.” architect in Minnesota and throughout second ward from 1910 to 1914. He died Peace United Church, a volunteer for “He has adorned his place with beauti- the nation. In 1895, he won the competi- in 1946 at age of 72. Meals on Wheels and a respected mem- ful trees, and it is a very lovely and a very tion for the design of our State Capitol. 923 Beech: The Buschman House ber of the Dayton’s Bluff Community desirable home,” said an old book named The Grays had no children. They shared During the time when many people still Council. He spearheaded the fight that Pen Pictures. “Mr. Wakefield is a slender the house with boarders at various times. used carriages and many businesses de- stopped the construction of Highway 212 man, unpretentious and undemonstrative, By 1895 Gray was a part-time salesman. livered, they literally used horsepower as through the neighborhood. He also con- very conscientious in his beliefs and al- In 1897 they moved to Seattle. The new a source of energy. These animals needed tributed some articles to the District Fo- ways anxious to do right,” the book con- owners rented it for five years before sell- to have their metal shoes changed now rum in its early years. tinued. “He lives a quiet life, and in his ing it to a traveling salesman for Gotzian and then and there was a great need for own home circle finds pleasures the world Shoe Company who lived there until 1928. blacksmiths. “Tour” continued on page 5 November 2008 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum Page 5

Continued from page 4 1020 Bush: The Lyon House John P. Lyon is said to have been the “Tour” youngest soldier in the Civil War. Born in Let’s Not Forget Workers Homes New Jersey in 1850, he became a drummer Sometimes neighborhood tours focus boy for Company G of the 81st Ohio. He on upper income houses. However, had joined up five days before his elev- Dayton’s Bluff has always had an impor- enth birthday. In 1889 he was a letter car- tant working class contingent, so some rier for the city and later died at his home of the smaller structures ought to be in- at 1020 Fauquier (now Bush) on August cluded. And just to add a little historic 22, 1901. support, here’s part of an article that was printed in the Pioneer in 1882: 1216 E. 7th: Messerlie House “In the eastern part of the city, on Built in 1886, this is a fine brick example Dayton’s bluff… several hundred dwell- of Italianate architectural style designed ings have been erected, many of them by famed German-American architect being very handsome residences, but the Augustus F. Gauge. It was Charles and major part being of the medium class, for Marguerite Messerlie’s second home. It the use of mechanics and employees of was on the eastern fringe of city and was the various and the numerous factories almost in a rural area, but the streetcar that have sprung up and are springing up line had recently been extended out this in the valley of Phalen’s Creek, along the way making it within fairly easy reach of line of the St. Paul & Duluth and the St. downtown. The family had large garden Paul & Omaha railroads.” lots on all sides and made a living selling Sometimes information about the every- vegetables at the downtown farmers mar- day life lives of blue-collar workers is hard ket. Members of the family have contin- to find, but here are the stories of a few of ued to live in the house, with granddaugh- them. ter Orlie Messerlie remaining there through the 1990’s. 889 E. Margaret: The Zahn House Years ago the railroad had a great effect Not all of the historic landmarks need to on the Dayton’s Bluff neighborhood. Be- be homes or businesses. Some are com- cause of it many early industrial concerns munity institutions whose history reveals were located along its tracks. There used a great deal about the development of the to be a small railroad depot at today’s Earl neighborhood. Such is the case for one and East Seventh. This is a fine example of our two remaining recreation centers of the worker’s cottages that went up in in the neighborhood. this section of Dayton’s Bluff in the 1870’s and the next decade. 1109 Margaret: Margaret Recreation The house dates from around 1882. This Center is somewhat of a guess, because this was Here’s an example of a relatively new two years before the city began issuing building whose use is for an institution building permits on a regular basis. Zahn that has a long history in the community. was a cigar maker, a fairly common source Margaret is thought to be the third oldest of employment in those days. He died and playground in St. Paul and was started as left his wife with several children. She re- part of a local and national initiative called mained in the Margaret Street house, but the “playground movement.” The people lost ownership of it in 1891. She seem- behind this movement felt strongly that Church Directory ingly liked the neighborhood, because play spaces for youth recreation were Amazing Grace Assembly of God Mounds Park United Methodist she stayed on as a renter until 1897. needed in the nation’s rapidly expanding 1237 Earl St. 1049 Euclid St. urban areas. 651-778-1768 651-774-8736 1087 Ross: The William Smith Home The city bought a strip of land behind Sun 9:30 am - Sunday school all 9:15 am - Sunday School, 4-year- Built in 1885, this is typical of the many Sibley school in 1907 and from the outset ages old through Adult homes built for workers. It was originally activities were begun. The Margaret Ma- owned by William Smith, a foreman at the roons won a municipal baseball champi- Sun 10:30 am - morning Worship 10:30 am - Worship Minnesota Terra Cotta Works, a factory onship in 1909 before there was even a Sun 6:00 pm - evening Worship located two blocks away. At the time building. The first shelter was built in 1910. Our Savior’s Lutheran ‘LCMS’ Smith built, Phalen Creek flowed through The Margaret Boosters were organized Hmong Asbury United 674 Johnson Pkwy the west side of the property. The foun- in November 1920. They went to the city Methodist 651-774-2396 dation and the two chimneys were made to see if they could help with the running 815 Frank St. Sunday Worship - 9:15am of terra cotta-a hard, durable kiln-burnt of the playground. One early volunteer 651-771-0077 Education Hour - 10:30 am clay produced by the factory in which he once spoke about the group’s origin: “We Wednesday Worship - 6:30 pm worked. used to go down to the playground and Bethlehem Lutheran Church find three or four kids ganged up on the 655 Forest St. Sacred Heart Catholic Church 964 E. Minnehaha: The Eilers House director. It was getting so bad you William Eilers came to St. Paul in 1885 couldn’t keep a director more than a few 651-776-4737 840 E. 6th St. and set up a business as a drayman, run- months. We decided to do something Sun 9:00 am - Morning Service 651-776-2741 ning it out of his downtown residence. about it.” It seems that tough kids hang- Sun 10:15-11:15 am - Sunday School Sat 4:00 pm – Mass He served four years in the Civil War. He ing out a recreation centers is nothing & Bible Hour Sun 9:00 am – Mass built the new two story brick Queen Anne new. Sun 11:15 - Hmong Service Mon, Wed, Fri 8:00 am – Weekday style home with eight rooms and three The boosters went around, “signing up Service bedrooms in 1889. He conducted busi- new members and holding dances, bingo Faith Temple - Templo De Fe ness out of it. Eilers died in August, 1910, games, playground festivals,” and, 1510 Payne Ave St. John’s Catholic Church but the family remained in the home until “mooching” money from local merchants 651-778-0096 977 E. 5th St. 1918. It was then bought by the Kingman to buy equipment, one member said. By Sun 10:30 am - Spanish Bilingual 651-771-3690 family, members of which were still in the 1921 there were thirty members in the house in the 1970’s. booster club. Margaret was one of only Service Mon-Sat 8:00 am – Daily Mass two year-round facilities in 1929. Sun 6:00 pm – Spanish Bilingual Sat 4:15 pm - Mass Service Sun 9:00 am, 11:00 am - Mass Wednesday family night St. John’s Outreach Ministry First Lutheran Church ELCA 1154 E. 7th St. 463 Maria 651-771-7639 St. Paul, MN 55106 Sun 9:30 am - Sunday School 651-776-7210 Sun 10:45 am - Worship 1 block North of Metropolitan State Wed 7:00 pm - Bible Study Sun 8:00 am - Free Community Breakfast Sun 9:30 am – Worship service St. John Ev. Lutheran Sun 10:45 am - Education for all ages Handicapped accessible 765 Margaret St. ALL ARE WELCOME! 651-771-6406 Sun 9:30 am - Worship Photo Courtesy Minnesota Historical Society The original Margaret Recreation Center was behind the old Sibley School. Thurs 6:30 pm - Worship Page 6 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum November 2008 Overindulgence not good for children By Mary Ann Cogelow disabled, or workaholic parent, and want to In this month when we are reminded to spare our children pain. And we sometimes be “thankful,” and when the day after do it for self-gratification to give ourselves Thanksgiving has for many years been the reward of our child’s pleasure or to “get the biggest shopping day of the year in the kid off my back.” However, we need to the United States, it seems appropriate to balance our own desire for self-indulgence with the responsibilities inherent in parenting and think a little about overindulgence, why make choices which truly enhance our we overindulge children, and what effect children’s growth. overindulgence has on them. This is a What to do? Some of what to do is implied very old concern. I remember from my in the descriptions of what not to do. Ron L. own very early childhood the “tut-tuting” Pitzer, another Minnesota voice who for tone of conversations among my mother, decades has contributed wisdom about the role grandmother, and aunts when they of parenting with his articles in Young Families, discussed someone who was “spoiling” the newsletter from the Extension Division at her child. I’m sure that this concern was the University of Minnesota, suggests the following: Be a role model and practice what present through all of the twentieth you preach. Restrict television viewing so century, and I would bet people have had children are less bombarded with messages this notion far longer than that though about things they think they have to have to Photo by erin sobaski they may have used different language be popular, successful, entertained. Teach to describe it. children about money, wise consumer When I checked through my file on this behavior, and let them know about family Youth Sign/Clean-up Project topic, I found a long list of books about finances in ways that are appropriate for their overindulgence and I have read many ages. Help them save, spend, and give wisely. is recognized as a success articles in the popular press talking about Be consistent in the rules you have for children and be sure both parents apply them. Clarke the issue in the past several years, but By erin sobaski kids’ hands, offer help or bring them and Walsh both insist that you must be the cookies and lemonade. These mo- I’m going to describe some of the ideas in parent in your family. And Walsh insists that The signs are gone, but the pride books and other materials written by you must continue to hear your children even remains. Youth from the Dayton’s ments were not lost on the kids. authors with a Minnesota connection. In when you decide to say “no” to their wishes Bluff and Margaret Recreation Cen- “They were thrilled to be given a 2003 Jean Illsley Clarke, Connie Dawson, and wants. ters wrapped up their summer pro- sense of responsibility for their own and David Bredehoft published How There is much more to be said and reflected gram in late September, and then cel- neighborhood,” said Colin Moore, one upon about avoiding the temptation to Much Is Enough? Everything You Need ebrated with a recognition party in of two youth workers, along with to Know to Steer Clear of overindulge. I would recommend reading either early October. Beatrice Collins. Moore and Collins Overindulgence and Raise Likeable, of the books I named in this article or finding others. But this brings me back to my mother After distributing flyers to notify were instrumental in keeping the pro- Responsible and Respectful Children and a different reading suggestion. For four from Toddlers to Teens. In 2007 David residents of the project, and placing gram going. As any parent of a teen days in mid-August my adult daughter Maren or tween will attest, it’s not easy to Walsh Published No, Why Kids - of All and I made a pilgrimage to Southwestern colorful motivational signs in select Ages - Need to Hear It - and Ways Parents Minnesota. Our primary goal was to see the yards, the clean-up began. In the end, get them to clean up after themselves, Can Say It. farmstead in the farthest southwestern corner more than 120 city blocks were let alone neighborhood trash. Said What is overindulgence? Jean Clarke says of the state where my mother was born and cleared of litter—many blocks more Collins, “It did take a push—but not a it is giving children too much, too soon and raised. We knew we also wanted to visit some than once. But more important than lot.” other sites on our journey – the Jeffers for too long in terms of stuff and also of The youth were recognized for their entertainment. She would also say that it Petroglyphs, Blue Mounds State Park, the cleaning, was the sense of pride involves soft structure and over-nurture. Both Pipestone National Monument, and Walnut and achievement felt by both youth and accomplishments with a party on Oct. of these would probably have been described Grove and Plum Creek, locations of some of residents. 10. The kids talked about their views in my grandmother’s kitchen as “coddling” or Laura Ingalls Wilder’s “Little House” books. “I think it was great because we of the project while enjoying pizza, Because we planned to go to the Plum Creek “babying,” of “expecting too little of.” Clarke were helping the community,” said breadsticks and soda. Afterward, they believes that over- nurture includes hovering, site, we listened to the recorded version of On intruding, or depriving a child of the the Banks of Plum Creek as we drove. Kellen Sobaski, one of the youngest played Wii™ games and basketball on opportunity to reach out, to learn new skills, To the best of my knowledge, I last read the participating youth at age 9. “I hope it the court, and had make-your-own ice to feel the thrill of achievement, or to Wilder books when I was in elementary school. means people won’t do it [litter] cream sundaes. experience consequences. She thinks that soft As a child, my concerns were pretty again.” Seventeen-year-old Rasheed On that same day, a story appeared unsophisticated – I just wanted an interesting structure gives children too much freedom; in the St. Paul Pioneer Press about doesn’t teach skills for living, rules, or read. What a revelation to listen to one of Johnson concurred, saying the group boundaries; fails to insist that children those books many, many years later. hopes the effects of the project will the anti-litter project. “When you look contribute to the family by performing age Evaluating it as an adult, I was struck by the last. at the neighborhood in a different appropriate chores; and doesn’t pay enough clarity with which Laura’s perspective as a Resident Jennifer Marcus Newton lens,” said Johnson in the article, “you young child is shared, the richness of attention to children’s safety. And, by the had a set of signs (Be Productive/Be realize you can do something to con- way, while overindulgence in material and characterization, the wealth of detail evoking entertainment experiences may be easier to frontier life, the parenting styles of Ma and Polite/Be Peaceful) placed in her yard. tribute and help things go on a differ- identify, research says the most serious Pa – in some ways very old fashioned and in “Beatrice [a youth worker] and the ent route.” damage is done to children by over-nurture others surprisingly as fresh as anything I kids came by to install my block’s signs Getting recognition from the and soft structure. would suggest in Early Childhood Family and do some cleaning. What a won- Dayton’s Bluff community and the Education classes now. But as much as What does overindulgence do to kids? Why City of St. Paul for the positive work does the judgmental tone of conversations I anything as I listened to this book I reflected derful group of people they are,” said heard more than sixty years ago come so on how severely Spartan and simultaneously Newton. “The whole block’s mood the youth did was a great way to wrap freshly to my mind when I think about this rich life is for Laura and her family in these was elevated as a result.” things up. The goal of this project was topic? Because overindulgence truly damages mid-nineteenth century years and how much Stories like these were aplenty. to bolster community engagement and the family life described in these pages children and my mom and her family knew it. Many residents came out to shake the reduce litter. Goal scored. Jean Clark describes it as a form of child accomplishes what overindulgence threatens. neglect. David Walsh says that overindulgence It is clear the Wilder family is poor in economic inhibits the child’s ability to develop the areas terms. But Ma and Pa might have taken their of the brain (prefrontal cortex) that are family structure from Clarke and Walsh. The necessary for establishing balance between parents are clearly parental. The children are self-indulgence and responsible behavior, and dearly loved and well known by their parents. he would argue that how the brain is built has Mary and Laura have clear responsibilities - enormous, life-long importance. “Pa often said he did not know how he could Overindulgence gets in the way of the manage without Laura” as a helper. There are children’s mastery of developmental tasks. It real and significant riches: all the nature of the prevents them from learning boundaries, skills, prairie, Pa’s fiddle playing and singing, Jack, responsibilities, and self-control. It lessens the dog, to name but a few. their resilience and self-motivation. It reduces Reading the “Little House” books again their ability to make and keep friends. They turned out for me to be a useful additional may feel, and grow up continuing to feel, way to think about the issues of insecure, anxious, worthless, incompetent, overindulgence and healthy child development. self-centered and depressed. They may find If your children are old enough, reading these it difficult to function in an adult world. The books together and taking about them would choices they make as adults may be dangerous accomplish many good parenting goals. I don’t and self-damaging. They may never achieve want to go back to a carbon copy of the world their full potential. of Laura Ingalls or to the styles of my parents If overindulgence so clearly threatens the or grandparents either. Neither was perfect healthiest possible development of children, and some aspects of both are deeply troubling why do we do it? Clarke insists that the root to me. But there is much to be gained from cause is a “good heart,” we love our kids and reflection on these worlds which can help us want them to be happy. Some of us also evaluate how we want to parent and to guess overindulge because we remember clearly the what the outcomes of our choices might be. pain of poverty or of some other serious And besides, reading Laura Ingalls Wilder is deprivation – a chemically dependent, rich and not overindulgent. November 2008 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum Page 7

He’s back! An old friend St. John’s Church of God That must have been one big rainstorm and neighbor returns to in Christ has new name Dayton’s Bluff By June Bennett St. John’s Church of God in Christ A famous native of Dayton’s Bluff at 1154 East 7th Street has changed was recently spotted back in his home- its name to St. John’s Outreach town. The Hamm’s Bear, who had Ministry. Rev. Hamilton is planning on retired out of state a number of years having a buffet two days a week in ago, just couldn’t stay away from his his restaurant so be looking for those beloved neighborhood. He has moved dates in the next issue. Also in back and now resides on Greenbrier November he is going to be serving Street, not far from his birthplace. Thanksgiving dinner to the homeless When a towering elm tree in the again this year. They have Wednesday front yard of the former William night Bible Study starting at 7:00 p.m. Hamm house contracted Dutch elm and church every Sunday starting at disease, it seemed like a tragedy. The 10:45 a.m. tree had been planted around 1900. Photo by Greg Cosimini Residents of Dayton’s Bluff are used to finding a variety of flotsam and jetsam in their Its stately presence, abundant shade, Learn about new home alleys, usually consisting of old furniture, appliances and general refuse. But our and nesting place for generations of ownership and personal neighbors on Euclid found something a bit larger on the morning of October 3rd when birds and squirrels would be lost for- this boat appeared in their alley. Less than a week later a pickup truck camper was ever. Wanting to bring some good out financial topics found in the same area. Was someone cleaning out his garage or did a flying saucer of this unfortunate situation, the Community Neighborhood Housing have to jettison some weight before returning to its home star system? You decide. DuPaul family arranged for the dead Services and the Dayton’s Bluff stump to become art. Karin and Ri- Branch of Saint Paul Public Libraries Notice of brownfields cleanup grant application chard DuPaul have been involved in presents: Home Club - a club for In July 2008, the City of Saint Paul Division of Parks and Recreation acquired preserving local history, especially improving the home ownership 1.85 acres of land adjacent to the Bruce Vento Nature Sanctuary for future use Hamm’s history, for many years. experience and working on personal as an interpretive center. As a first step in redeveloping the area the City is Richard’s nephew Tommy, who runs financial topics. applying for a brownfields cleanup grant form the U.S. Environmental Protec- Visions Tree Service, took down the It meets the second Thursday of tion Agency. A draft of the grant will be available for public review and com- tree’s massive crown, leaving enough each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at ment at the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council office (798 East Seventh Street) stump for carving. Tommy then rec- the Dayton’s Bluff Library, 645 7th St and downloadable from the Lower Phalen Creek Project website: ommended artist Curtis Ingvoldstad to E., Library - Room 218. www.phalencreek.org. transform dead wood into sculpture. Meetings are designed to learn from A public meeting on the redevelopment and grant proposal will be held on Lo and behold, inside that old tree was experts in the field and share Thursday November 13 at 6:30 PM at the Dayton’s Bluff Community Council the Hamm’s Bear, just waiting to be experience from the community. office – 798 East Seventh Street, St. Paul. At this meeting citizens will hear revealed! Sample topics include: how to about and be able to review the draft proposal and provide comments. winterize, finding low/no cost home For more information, contact Karin DuPaul at 651.772.2075. Daylight Saving Time ends improvement loans and financial on Sunday November 2nd. literacy. To learn more or to find out Remember to set your about this month’s topics, please call Don’t forget to vote on Tuesday, November clocks back one hour. 651-793-1699 or check out the blog 4th. This is a really important election. at http://homeclub2008.blogspot.com/ Page 8 Dayton’s Bluff District Forum November 2008

Photo by Greg Cosimini This house at 1097 Hudson Road was destroyed by fire in the early hours of October 8th. The Fire Marshall has ruled it arson. The fire reignited around 10 a.m. The house was torn down the next day. Dayton’s Bluff District Forum 798 East 7th Street Saint Paul, MN 55106 Phone: 651-772-2075 FAX: 651-774-3510 E-mail: [email protected]

Monthly Circulation: 8,000 Also available online at www.daytonsbluff.org This is a publication of Hopewell Communications, Inc. and is intended to provide a forum for the ideas and opinions of its readers and to be an instrument for developing community awareness and pride. No material contained in this paper may be reprinted without consent of the editor. Articles and letters to the editor are welcome and may be emailed to [email protected] or faxed to 651-774-3510. The Dayton’s Bluff District Forum is delivered to every home and business in the Dayton’s Bluff area. Outside this area, subscriptions cost $12 and may be arranged by calling 651-772-2075. Board of Directors: Greg Cosimini, Karin DuPaul and Steve Trimble Editor & Layout: Greg Cosimini. Next issue: December 2008. Deadline for material: November 5, 2008.